Istanbul museums: overview & private tours

Istanbul sights and entrance fees

634 museums, mosques, palaces, parks, hamams, markets and family spots with price, visiting time and family tip. Updated September 2026.

What does sightseeing in Istanbul cost? This list covers 634 sights across 21 categories and 38 districts with entrance fee, visiting time and a note on whether the Museum Pass İstanbul applies. Filter by category, district, city side and price, sort by cost and build your own shortlist.

In short: of the 634 sights in this list, 351 are free – including all the great mosques such as the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. For palaces and museums you usually pay 15 to 55 €: Topkapı Palace around 55 € including the Harem, Hagia Sophia about 25 € for the gallery, Dolmabahçe Palace 40 €. The Museum Pass İstanbul is valid at 22 museums. All prices are guide values, as of September 2026.

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351 sights without an entrance fee
22 covered by the Museum Pass
399 with a family tip
prices checked September 2026

Sights in Istanbul by category and district

Discover Istanbul between Europe and Asia: historic mosques, Ottoman palaces, Byzantine cisterns, museums, bazaars, parks, hamams, viewpoints, family destinations and lesser-known places. The overview helps you choose for a day trip, a private city tour or an individual Istanbul trip. Use the filters for entrance fees, free sights, Museum Pass İstanbul, families, districts and sides of the city.

With a guide

I am a state-licensed guide (Kokartlı Turist Rehberi) and guide in German, Turkish and English. Entrance fees are always paid separately. Reach me on WhatsApp at +49 176 62157259 or by email at kontakt@meinreiseleiter.de.

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Frequently asked questions about admission prices in Istanbul

What does it cost to enter Hagia Sophia?

Is the Museum Pass İstanbul worth it?

Which sights in Istanbul are free?

Which days are the big museums closed?

What should I know before entering a mosque?

How many sights fit into one day?

Can I visit these places with a licensed guide?

Notes in the last column are currently available in German only.

Prices and opening hours are estimates, updated September 2026, without guarantee. Topkapı Palace closes on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe Palace on Mondays. In mosques cover shoulders and knees; women wear a headscarf.