Opening Hours of Istanbul Sightseeing Spots and Attractions

Last updated: November 21, 2021

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.

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

Keep in mind that during the COVID pandemic, opening hours are subject to change. In most cases, they open a bit later (e.g. 10:00) and close (a bit) earlier (e.g. 17:00).

• Archaeological Museums (Arkeoloji Müzeleri)
  Summer: April 1 – October 30, open daily from 9:00 – 19:00.
  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)
  Due to renovations, the cistern is currently closed.
  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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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, 1^st 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 1^st 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, 1^st 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 – 17:00.
  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.