City: Istanbul
Top Things to do in Istanbul
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What to do and see in Istanbul, Turkey: The Best Specialty Museums
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Rahmi M. Koc Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,568 reviews
The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft.
Reviewed By Da-ndy1989 - Guildford, United Kingdom
So pleased with visited this mostly transport museum which has so much more on display. Everything is beautifully presented and well kept in this old Shipyard and it's very easy to spend quite a few hours here for a very cheap entry fee. It's a MUST visit when in Istanbul but a little out of the way from the centre, there's also a delicious bakery nearby for lovely treats. We loved that you could enter the fantastic old airplanes. There's English translations too for a wealth of knowledge about most on display. Very educational and incredibly interesting.
2. Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 635 reviews
Classic car museum in an retro environment with 70 cars on display.
Reviewed By O8585UMkatiep
A must see for the classic car enthusiasts. Cheap entrance tickets and very friendly and helpful staffs.
3. Hisart Canli Tarih Muzesi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
4. Boybeyi Chukur Tower
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Boybeyi is a powerful jewellery brand famous for astonishing craftsmanship which passed through generations since 1881. Boybeyi welcomes guests from all over the world. Chukur Tower being its signature store, is a hot spot for royal members and history lovers whom are guaranteed to experience a unique atmosphere with exclusive service.
5. Borusan Contemporary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Borusan Contemporary is a space for art and a multi-platform program of exhibitions, events, educational initiatives, new commissions and site specific installations rooted in the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection. These activities are defined by their specific focus on media arts broadly defined, ie artists who work with time, light, technology, video, software and beyond. Most of the program takes place at the Perili Köşk Istanbul, and co-exists with the offices of Borusan Holding, in essence creating a unique atmosphere in an office paradigm. The entire building including the galleries, office space, café, Borusan ArtStore and outdoor terraces with breathtaking views of the Bosphorus are open to the public on the weekends.
Reviewed By L3469BWpatrickm
This museum is located right under the bridge. Got an excellent view from the top of the building. Traffic to this place was very busy.
6. Isbank Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By inflexible85 - Canakkale, Turkey
It is a valuable museum of Is Bankasi , the first national bank of our country, which was opened by the order of Atatürk , located between Eminönü and Sirkeci in Istanbul, behind the Yeni Mosque. This museum, which contains important works and information, can be visited for free. Documents related to this bank, which witnessed the economic development of our country, various equipment, old advertisements, communication devices, photographs and many more special things can be seen in the museum. You can visit the case rooms on the bottom floor; You can walk in a dark tunnel while the numbers are spinning around you, and you can experiment with a machine that shows the authenticity of the money in your pocket. The building was built in 1897 and it was opened as a museum on November 14, 2007. I recommend you to visit.
7. Sakip Sabanci Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
Reviewed By markmws - Istanbul, Turkey
You'll fall in love with the grounds, the museum, and the views. There is a restaurant on the grounds, and the views from it are spectacular (Although it is pricey, it is worth it). The museum is a little further north on the European side, but well-worth the trip. We loved it and as newly local citizens, are excited to visit again. :)
8. Istanbul Toy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 312 reviews
Reviewed By basejumper65 - Inverness, United States
Istanbul is full of first rate museums....including the city itself. This year was my fourth visit, and the woman who ran my hotel told me about it, gave me directions, and the highest recommendations. She was right. I spent several hours there climbing to each floor...totally entranced with the collection of toys from all over the world. They are beautifully displayed in a lovely building that includes a very good snack bar as well as a helpful staff who all seem to enjoy being there as much as me. It was much too much for one visit, and I was leaving Istanbul the next day. There are windup toys from Germany and Japan, dioramas from America, things from everywhere..including scads of teddy bears and ancient Disney mice, toy submarines and model planes from a hundred years ago. I cannot recommend it too highly. It's on the Asian side of the city. Public transit there was too confusing, so I took a cab from the ferry. It was about five dollars including tip each way...and well worth it.
9. Museum of Innocence
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 603 reviews
Orhan Pamuk tarafından yaratılan Masumiyet Müzesi yazarın aynı adlı romanında anlatılan günlük hayat eşyalarının hatıra ve anlamlarını gösteren titizlikle hazırlanmış enstalasyonlardan oluşan küçük bir İstanbul müzesidir.
Reviewed By Da-ndy1989 - Guildford, United Kingdom
We still enjoyed the museum despite not having read the book (which we now have), but the audio is very helpful in understanding and getting the emotional attachment to the museums unique experience. Beautifully presented with such interesting displays we got absorbed in the obvious love for the book with the audio explanations and descriptions. The neighbourhood is also interesting with various antique shops and cafe's.
10. Santral Istanbul Energy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
