• The Insider
  • Planning
  • Sightseeing
  • Transportation
  • Food & Drinks
  • Going Out
  • Shopping
  • FAQ
  • Tours

Istanbul Insider

Istanbul travel guide and advice by locals.

Opening Hours of Istanbul Sightseeing Spots and Attractions

Last updated: July 23, 2022

Have a look at the opening hours of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions when planning a city trip to Istanbul, so you don’t find yourself standing in front of a closed door. Sightseeing spots such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Topkapi Palace and its Harem, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace and the Basilica Cistern all have their own closing days and slightly different operating hours. Please also consult the list of public, national, and religious holidays in Turkey. Especially religious holidays vary from year to year.

You may also want to have a look at the entrance fees of Istanbul’s main tourist attractions before making your itinerary.

Closing Days and Opening Hours of Istanbul's Tourist Attractions.

Below you’ll find an overview (in alphabetical order) of what is open when and how long.

  • Archaeological Museums (Arkeoloji Müzeleri)
    Summer: April 1 – October 30, open daily from 9:00 – 20:00.
    Winter: October 31 – March 31, open daily from 9:00 – 17:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 45 minutes before closing time.
  • Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
    Open daily from 9:00 – 18:30.
    Closed until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Big Palace Mosaic Museum (Büyük Saray Çinileri Müzesi)
    Summer: April 1 – October 31, open daily from 9:00 – 19:30.
    Winter: November 1 – March 31, open daily from 9:00 – 17:30.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 30 minutes before closing time.
    Closed on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
    Open every day. Closed for visitors during prayers. Avoid coming 30 min. before and 30 min. after the prayer.
    The Friday midday prayer takes around 2 hours. Have that in mind before planning the visit.
  • Çadır Pavilion (Çadır Köşkü)
    Open every day from 9:00 – 22:30. No closing days.
  • Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
    Open daily from 9:00 – 18:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office at 17:00.
    Closed on Mondays, 1st of January and first day of religious holidays.
    If the number of visitors exceeds the daily limit, the ticket office closes early.
  • Egyptian or Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
    Open every day from 8:00 – 19:30, opens at 09:30 on Sundays.
    Closed on October 29 & all days of religious holidays.
  • Emirgan Park (Emirgan Korusu)
    Open every day from 07:00 – 23:00.
  • Fethiye Museum (Fethiye Müzesi)
    The museum has been closed for renovation since April 2018.
  • Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion (Florya Atatürk Deniz Köşkü)
    Open from Tuesday – Sunday, between 9:00 – 18:00, last ticket sale at 17:00.
    Closed on Mondays, 1st of January and first day of religious holidays.
  • Fortress of Europe (Rumeli Hisarı)
    Summer: April 1 – October 31, open daily from 9:00 – 19:30.
    Winter: November 1 – March 31, open daily from 9:00 – 18:30.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 1 hour before closing time.
    Closed on Mondays. On the first day of religious holidays, the fortress opens at 13:00.
  • Fortress of Seven Towers (Yedikule Hisarı)
    Currently only open for Turkish citizens after online reservation.
  • Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)
    Open every day from 8:30 – 00:00. Last entrance at 23:00.
  • Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)
    Open every day from 8:30 – 19:00.
    Closed on Sundays and on all days of religious holidays.
  • Hagia Irene
    Summer: April 1 – October 2, open daily from 9:00 – 18:45.
    Winter: October 2 – April 1, open daily from 9:00 – 16:45.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 45 minutes before closing time.
    Closed on Tuesdays, 1st of January and on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Müzesi)
    Open every day. Closed for visitors during prayers. Avoid coming 30 min. before and 30 min. after the prayer.
    The Friday midday prayer takes around 2 hours. Have that in mind before planning the visit.
  • Harem (Harem)
    Open daily from 9:00 – 18:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office at 17:00..
    Closed on Tuesdays, 1st of January, and on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Imperial Porcelain Factory (Yıldız Porselen Fabrikası)
    Open daily Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 18:00.
    Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
    Closed on all official and religious holidays.
  • Istanbul Akvaryum
    Open on weekdays from 10:00 – 19:00.
    Open in the weekend from 10:00 – 20:00.
    No closing days.
    Aquarium may open later than usual on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Istanbul Modern
    Open on Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 – 18:00.
    Open on Sunday from 11:00 – 18:00.
    Closed on Mondays, 1st of January and the first day of religious holidays.
  • Kariye Museum (Kariye Müzesi)
    Summer: April 1 – October 31, open daily from 9:00 – 19:00.
    Winter: November 1 – March 31, open daily from 9:00 – 17:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 30 minutes before closing time.
    The museum opens in the afternoon on the first day of religious holidays.
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center
    Open every day from 10:00 – 19:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 17:15
    On the first day of religious holidays, LEGOLAND opens at 13:00.
  • Madame Tussauds
    Open daily from 11:00 – 20:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office at 19:00.
    On the first day of religious holidays, the museum opens at 13:00.
  • Malta Pavilion (Malta Köşkü)
    Open daily from 9:00 – 23:00.
    No closing days
  • Miniatürk
    Open daily from 9:00 – 19:00.
    No closing days
  • Naval or Maritime Museum
    Open daily from 09:00 – 17:00.
    Open Saturday, Sunday, and on national holidays from 10:00 – 18:00.
    Last entry is at 16:00 on weekdays, 17:00 at weekends and national holidays.
    Closed on Mondays, 1st of January, and the first days of religious holidays.
  • Pera Museum
    Open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 – 19:00.
    Open on Friday from 10:00 – 22:00.
    Open on Sunday from 12:00 – 18:00.
    Closed on Mondays, 1st of January and the first day of religious holidays.
  • Sea Life Istanbul
    Open every day from 10:00 – 20:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 19:00.
    On the first day of religious holidays and special days such as 1st of January, Sea Life opens at 12:00.
  • Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii)
    Open every day from 9:00 – 18:00.
    Closed during prayers.
  • Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
    Open daily from 9:00 – 18:00.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office at 17:00.
    Closed on Tuesdays, 1st of January, and on the first day of religious holidays.
  • Turkish & Islamic Art Museum (Türk İslam Eserleri Müzesi)
    Summer: April 1 – October 31, open daily from 10:00 – 20:00.
    Winter: November 1 – March 31, open daily from 8:30 – 17:30.
    Last entrance & closing of the ticket office: 1 hour before closing time.
    On the first day of religious holidays, the museum opens at 13:00.
  • Tünel (Tünel)
    Open Monday – Saturday from 7:00 – 22:45.
    Open Sunday from 7:30 – 22:45.
    No closing days
  • Yıldız Palace (Yıldız Sarayı)
    Currently closed for renovation.
  • Yıldız Park (Yıldız Korusu)
    Open daily 09:00 – 22:30.
    No closing days.

Filed Under: Attractions, Holiday Planning, Plan Your Trip Tagged With: Attractions, Closing Days, Istanbul, Opening Hours, Operating Hours, Sightseeing

Comments

  1. Haruethai says

    September 15, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    Hi Erlend,
    Any forms required to fill for foreigners entering Turkey . Looks like each country have their own policies. We will be landing in Istanbul on 20th September. Will Basilica Cistern open by then. Many Thanks

    Reply
    • Erlend says

      September 15, 2022 at 5:57 pm

      Hi,
      Normally no form, but check with a Turkish embassy or consulate to be sure. Basilica Cistern should be open.

      Reply
  2. Chris Mulheron says

    May 24, 2022 at 1:50 am

    Hi Erland,
    Let’s hope Basilica Cistern will be open when we arrive in October.

    Here in Australia I am reading on Turkish Embassy website no need for Entry Form. No HES.
    Only Covid requirements and of course Visa. Are you able to confirm?

    Cheers Chris

    Reply
    • Erlend says

      May 24, 2022 at 5:50 pm

      Hi Chris,

      At the moment, that’s indeed the case. Cross fingers it will still be like that in October.

      Reply
  3. Chris Mulheron says

    May 23, 2022 at 1:18 am

    Hi Erland,
    Any updates on re opening Basilica Cistern.

    Cheers Chris

    Reply
    • Erlend says

      May 23, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Chris,

      I’m afraid not.

      Reply
    • Hilary says

      July 31, 2022 at 2:57 am

      Hi Chris, the basilica cistern is now open again for public visits. Also, you must complete a health declaration in the 72 hours before you arrive in Turkey. Here is the link and you can easily complete it in English!
      https://register.health.gov.tr/

      Reply
  4. Paulina says

    November 19, 2021 at 9:26 am

    These schedules should be updated…. they’re currently different.

    Reply
    • Erlend says

      November 19, 2021 at 9:50 am

      You’re right, I’m in the process of updating it for the winter schedule. The same with the prices, they change often too, due to fluctuating currency. Should be done after the weekend. My apologies.

      Reply
  5. Calz says

    July 15, 2019 at 5:17 am

    My husband and I are heading to Instanbul in August and the Grand Bazaar is on the ‘must see’ list. It looks amazing, cant wait to go! We also need to ensure that we are online throughout how can we make this possible, we had been recommended to rent n connect what is your take on this

    Reply
    • Erlend says

      July 16, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Calz,

      I just had the chance to test rent n connect, and it worked like a charm. Alternatively, you could buy a Turkish sim card for a fixed price, giving you up to 9 Gb. Then of course you need to swap SIM cards. If you don’t want to do that or you plan to use a lot of Gb, the the rent n connect is a great option.

      Reply
      • EleniK says

        October 18, 2019 at 10:47 am

        Where can I buy this fixed price card? Do I need any special papers to buy it?

        Reply
        • Erlend says

          October 18, 2019 at 6:24 pm

          Which fixed price card are you referring to, the Museum Pass?

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best Sellers

  • Email
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Us

About
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Sitemap

Popular Attractions

Hagia Sophia
Topkapi Palace & Harem
Dolmabahçe Palace
Bosphorus Tour
Whirling Dervishes

Travel Tips

Accommodation & Locations
Airport Transportation
Istanbul Kart, Museum Pass, Tourist Pass
Public Transportation
Taxi’s in Istanbul

© 2011–2023 The Istanbul Insider – Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Affiliate Disclaimer
Istanbul Insider
Data and Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site.
Click below to consent ('Accept') to the above or make granular choices
Manage Cookie SettingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Your choices on this site will be applied only for this site. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by going to the Privacy Policy page of this site.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
CookieDurationDescription
_gat1 minuteThis cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid1 dayThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.
visitor_id5 yearsThis cookie include cookie name plus the unique identifier of the visitor account. The value stored is the unique ID of the visitor which is used for tracking the visitor.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.