Are you planning to buy the 15-day Turkey Museum Pass or perhaps one of the other regional Turkey Museum passes? Here is what you need to know.
A historically rich country, Turkey is full of museums, cultural spots, and ancient sites. Any trip to Türkiye would be incomplete without a visit to at least some of the more popular museums in Turkey.
Before my last trip in February 2023, I did not know that there was a national museum pass and smaller regional museum passes.
Oh man, I spent far too much money not buying this!!
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism created a multiple-entry pass for foreign tourists, allowing you to purchase passes for all of Turkey, Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean regions. The passes consolidate museum entrances, saving you time and hassle throughout your trip, and of course, you’ll save lots of money on entrance fees.
My last trip to Türkiye was just one week after the devastating earthquakes – and I was happy to spend money there – to help the economy and the grief-stricken people of Türkiye. But dang, it, I could have spent the Turkish Lira I would have saved on the museum entry tickets on more shopping and eating!
Depending on your interests, holiday location, and budget, there is a Turkish museum pass for everyone. So, if you are considering purchasing a Museum Pass in Turkey, here are the fundamental things to know before you buy one.
Note: Most mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, have no “fee”; you do, however, have to line up and go between prayer times as they are working mosques. You also still have to wait in the security-check lines when required.
Also, some of the top attractions, such as Istanbul’s Basilica Dolmabahce Palace, are not included in these passes and cost extra.
As of January 15th, 2024, Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has introduced a distinct policy for tourists and worshippers. If you’re visiting for cultural exploration, there’s now a 25 euro entry fee. This ticket grants you access to the gallery floor, where you can admire the sanctuary’s stunning Ottoman and Byzantine features, including the historic mosaics.
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1. The Turkey Museum Pass 15 Days
The most comprehensive pass, the Turkey Museum Pass, covers three hundred different museums and archaeological sites that belong to the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Directorate of National Palaces; for a full list of museums, check here.
The pass currently costs 165 euros (March 2023) and is available for purchase at designated ticket booths at each cultural site. Once you pass your first museum entrance, the pass is then valid for fifteen days, meaning you have plenty of time to explore.
Until 2022, it was possible to purchase the pass online with a free courier service delivering the pass to you. Since March 2022, this service has been suspended, so passes must be purchased in person.
2. The 5-Day Museum Pass Istanbul
A more limited version of the Museum Pass Türkiye, the Istanbul Museum Pass is perfect for travelers intent on visiting the city only.
The pass can be purchased as an e-ticket or at designated ticket booths located at the first seven locations on the list below. Currently, the phass costs 105 euros (March 2023) and allows you access to these main attractions for five days (or 120 hours) from its first use.
The Museum Pass In Istanbul Includes Thirteen Historical Sites In Istanbul, Including:
- Istanbul Archaeology Museums
- Great Palace Mosaic Museum of Constantinople
- Galata Tower
- Rumeli Fortress Museum
- Museum Of Turkish And Islamic Arts
- Topkapı Palace
- Hagia Irene Museum
- Galata Mevlevi LodgeHouse
- Adam Mickiewicz Museum Istanbul
- Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
- Turbes Museum
We saw many of these and spent a lot of money, so I can tell you firsthand that the Museum Card in Istanbul is very good value for money.
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3. The 3-Day Cappadocia Museum Pass
For visitors to the Cappadocia region, the Museum Pass Cappadocia provides one-time access to thirteen historical museums in the area for a price of 65 euros Turkish Lira (March 2024) for three days.
Helpfully, the pass can be purchased online and downloaded to your mobile phone, meaning you can buy ahead of time and plan your trip accordingly. However, you can also purchase the card at ticket booths at one of the below locations.
The Museum Pass Cappadocia Includes The Following Sites
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Ihlara Valley
- Aksaray Monastery Valley
- Aksaray Museum
- Göreme Open Air Museum
- Dark Church Türkiye (Goreme)
- Ozkonak Underground City
- Nevsehir Museum
- Nevsehir Archaeological Site & Cavusin Church
- Haci Bektas Veli Museum (Nevsehir)
- Zelve Open Air Museum (Nevsehir)
- Church of St. Jean, Gulsehir (Nevsehir)
4. The 7-Day Museum Pass Aegean Region
Over seven days, the Aegean Museum Pass provides visitors access to 40 museums and sites in Turkey’s Aegean Region. The pass can be purchased online for 95 euros (March 2024) and downloaded to your mobile phone.
The Pass Is An Excellent Purchase For Visitors To The Provinces Of İzmir
This pass gives you access to over 40 museums and archaeological sites that belong to the Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Izmir, Aydin, Mugla, and Denizli, as it covers single entry to historical sites, including:
- Ephesus (including the Terrace Houses and Museum)
- Ancient Hieropolis/Pamukkale
- Laodicea
- Bergama Acropolis
- Kayakoy
- Fethiye Rock Tombs
- Museum of Underwater Archaeology
5. The 7-Day Mediterranean Region Museum Pass
The Mediterranean Museum Pass provides visitors access to over forty museums and sites in Türkiye’s Mediterranean Region over seven days. The pass can be purchased online for 90 euros (March 2024) and downloaded to your mobile phone.
The pass is an ideal purchase for visitors to the regions of Antalya, Mersin, Adana, and Denizli as it covers single-entry essential sites, such as:
- Antalya Museum
- Aspendos
- Perge
- Side
- Termessos
- Phaselis
- Myra/St. Nicholas Church
- Simena
- Patara
- Laodicea
- Ancient Hieropolis-Pamukkale
Tourist Museums Of Turkey App
The Museums of Turkey app is a free app for Apple and Android users that provides users with information on over 200 different museums in Turkey. The app includes museum descriptions, photos, opening hours, and contact information. Users can also search for specific museums by name or location.
The app is available in both English and Turkish, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate. So whether you’re looking for a specific museum or want to browse what’s available, the Museums of Turkey app is a great resource.
Museum Pass Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the Muzekart?
Yes, but this is just for Turkish Citizens, and you need to show a Government ID to purchase it.
How much are kids’ passes?
There is currently no kid’s rate pass. However, it is unnecessary to purchase a pass for kids.
Children under six years old benefit from free museum entry to all museums and sites in Türkiye. Additionally, children between the ages of 7 and 12 benefit from substantially reduced rates. My son was five on our visit, and I would love another trip while he remains six to get free entrance, as it saves you so much!!
Is there a student or senior rate pass?
There is currently no student or senior rate pass.
Do the passes allow you to skip queues?
Museum passes allow you to skip the long queues to enter sites and museums. However, visitors are not exempt from those long lines at security.
What are the Turkey Museum Pass card prices as of November 2023
These prices have skyrocketed since my visit in February 2023, and I took them from the official website in March 2024.
- Turkey Museum Pass 15 Days: 165 euros (March 2023)
- 5-Day Museum Pass Istanbul: 105 euros (March 2023)
- 3-Day Cappadocia Museum Pass: 65 euros (March 2024)
- 7-Day Museum Pass Aegean Region: 95 euros (March 2024)
- 7-Day Mediterranean Region Museum Pass: 90 euros (March 2024)
How many days can you use the museum passes in Turkey?
- Museum Pass Turkey: 15 days
- Museum Pass The Mediterranean: 7 days
- Museum Pass The Aegean: 7 days
- Museum Pass Istanbul: 5 days
- Museum Pass Cappadocia: 3 days
Are there free museums in Istanbul?
Yes, a few, including,
- Istanbul Modern Art Museum
- Turkey Is Bank Museum
- Sirkeci Orient Express Museum
- Galatasaray Museum
- Private Sakip Sabancı Fine Arts Museum
- Private Pera Museum
What important museums are not covered by the passes?
The passes only include museums and sites that belong to the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Directorate of National Palaces and include many important museums.
However, the pass does not include major sites such as Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace, and Beylerbeyi Palace.
What are the best museums in Turkey?
Ohh there are far too many to list, but the ones we have seen and loved so much we wrote guides about them are:
- The Do’s And Don’ts Of Visiting Turkey
- Best Places To Visit In Turkey For Every Type Of Traveler
- How To Get From Istanbul To Cappadocia
- Best Nightlife In Istanbul
- Day Trips To Take From Istanbul
- Greek Island Day Trip From Southern Turkey
- Best Beaches To Visit In Turkey
- Ephesus, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- How To Get From Pamukkale To Cappadocia
- How To Choose Between Antalya Or Bodrum
- Why Winter In Turkey Is A Good Idea
- Best Cities To Visit In Turkey – Urban Travel Guide
- Turkey’s Hidden Gem – Alacati Travel Guide
Based on the Turkey Museum Pass Card prices as of February 2023, may I know where do you get the figures from and where did you purchase it from?
From my research, the price for Istanbul pass is 2250TL & Turkey pass is 3500TL which I found from the official website.
Those were the prices on my last trip in February. But sadly the Lira is in decline so prices have changes 100’s of time in the last 18 months.
I am planning to buy the Turkiye Museum Pass and Ephesus would be the first place to visit. Can I buy it there? Or should I buy it in Istanbul?
You can buy it any place that is convenient for you. It’s all the same.
Hi! Nice post! We are visiting Turkey next week and would like to get the Museums Pass the Aegean. I’ve already looked at the app, but I can’t change the language (only Turkish) and the app seems to be only for locals (ID required for registration). Is there another app for tourists? Can you provide a link to the app? Thank you!
It is 100% in English, as I used it – and double checked just now nothing had changed. I’ve added the links to the app in the post to be more helpful.
Thank you for the links! It seems like only the iOS app is in English. On my husband’s iPhone the app is in English, on my Android it’s only in Turkish, at least I haven’t found how to change the language. But we’ll just use the app on the iPhone now…
Hi!
I’ve been reading A LOT about Turkey. We arrive there this Monday. I see the Turkey Museum pass now is 165 euros, that is a huge change in price. Did you know if the Turkey museum pass (15 days one) include Topkapi Palace?
Thanks!
Yes, everything on Türkiye has increased so much. But good news, Topkap is inc in the passes – and is a great place to go enjoy.
Thank you so much for your help, is a good article.