Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum: Skip the Line Ticket with Guided Tour

Get skip-the-line admission with your informative guide and visit the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum.

672 Reviews

Flexible Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure Payment

Our online payment system encrypts your payment information to protect you against fraud and unauthorized transactions.
Best Price Guarantee

Our Best Price Guarantee means that you can be sure of your booking at the best rate with the same terms&conditions.

Duration 1 Hour

Check availability to see starting times.

At the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum you will see beautiful carpet samples from the Seljuk Empire, weaved in the Iranian and Caucasus regions. There are also hand-written calligraphy samples of Qurans and magazines, as well as wooden, glass, ceramic and stone artifacts created by artists from former Islamic countries. Broaden your knowledge of history, art and culture with a guided tour of this interesting museum.

The Richest Collection of Islamic Art in the World

The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is the first exhibition in our region to exhibit works by both Turkish and Islamic artists. It first officially opened in 1914 at the "Evkaf-Islamiye Museum," an imaret building of the Suleymaniye Mosque Social Complex, one of Mimar Sinan's (Sinan the Architect) most prominent constructions (Islamic Foundations Museum). In 1983, it was relocated to Ibrahim Pasha Palace, which is located west of Blue Mosque Square.

Besides the Sultan's palaces, the museum structure, which dates from the late 15th century, is one of the oldest remaining palace buildings to this day. The Ibrahim Pasha Palace rises over the old "Racetrack Square" stairwell, making it one of the most prominent structures in Ottoman civil architecture. Suleiman the Magnificent renovated it in 1520 and gave it to his son-in-law and grand vizier, Ibrahim Pasha of Parga. The terrace is surrounded on three sides by an elevated building built on arches.

This terrace, which overlooks Sultanahmet Square, is one of the most attractive spots in the museum. After being closed to guests for renovation in 2012, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum reopened in 2014, on the 100th anniversary of its inaugural opening, with a new notion of the exhibition and new areas to visit. You should see the amazing collection of articles by artists from former Islamic regions. The duration time for the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is 1 hour. You can skip the line. The pickup services are not available. There are many professional guides whose language is English.

Highlights

See the amazing collection of articles by artists from former Islamic regions.

Included

Entrance fees.
Professional guided tour conducted in English.

Not Included

Transportation

Location

Know Before You Go

Your ticket does not allow you to enter the museum alone. Please meet with our guide at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour start time.

About

Guided Turkish and Islamic Art Museum Tours

The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is the first museum that exhibits Islamic artworks in Turkey. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts was founded in 1914. Inside the museum are a collection of works of Islamic art from the Ottoman Period to the beginning of the 20th century. Carpets, metalwork, woodwork, manuscripts, and glassware are some of the pieces displayed in the museum. Because of the huge carpet collection that represents different periods and traditions, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art is also known as the carpet museum. Aside from the fascinating carpet collection, the museum is the house of countless manuscripts from the Islamic periods Turkish history has witnessed. Moreover, the pottery collections and glassware are examples of how art has been shaped throughout time in Anatolia. The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum opened for visits in 2014 after the restorations ended and now, it is a house for numerous exhibitions and events.

Things to do at the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

As you visit the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, you will be able to appreciate the great heritage that is left by the previous Islamic societies. The museum displays around 40.000 artworks. It is incredibly rich both in terms of artistic and historical value. You can see the traces of Ayyubids, Seljuks, Ottomans, and other Islamic societies that lived in Anatolia since the 7th century.

There are two floors inside the museum. The first level is the home of exhibits that represent Turkish culture and lifestyles that have evolved for centuries. The second floor is rather dedicated to Islamic art and pieces that symbolize the Islamic culture. The artworks inside the museum are designed with great care and attention to numerous factors, such as style, material, and ethnography. Therefore, it is easier to keep up with the chronological order of the Turkish and Islamic arts.

As mentioned, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is the home of the world’s biggest carpet collection. If you are interested in history or are curious about Islamic arts, the Museum of Islamic and Turkish Arts will be nothing less than a paradise for you.

The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul is one of the most crucial must-see spots in Turkey. It will be one of your favorite attractions in Istanbul, easily, especially if you are a history lover! The museum is very big and contains a lot of historical information. Therefore, if you want to make the best of your trip to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, you might consider booking a guided tour. With a guided Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum tour, you will be provided with thorough information about the place and the objects that are displayed, along with their context.

The Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is the best place to learn about Islamic history and culture. With a guided Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum tour, you will be able to experience a whole culture and history. Moreover, you will see some of the finest artworks and treasures on display, including rare carpets, Iranian jewels, calligraphy, and much more. By booking a guided tour to the fascinating Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Sultanahmet, you will save a lot of time by having a more productive trip! The museum is also close to the Blue Mosque, one of the most loved attractions in Istanbul. So, you could visit lots of places on your checklist by visiting the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum!

Frequently Asked Question

How did the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts collect all of these works of art?

The art pieces that are displayed in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts were acquired through the galas and museums that support Islamic art.

What is the importance of art in Islam’s history?

Muslims believe that depicting the human form is idolatry, and a transgression against God, according to Islam. Therefore, Islamic art is very different from the arts of other religions and cultures. Islamic art is non-figural. Calligraphy and architectural features are the most essential parts of Islamic arts.

What is the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum’s entrance fee?

The entrance fee to the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is 60 Turkish Liras per person.

When is the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum open?

The museum is open every day from 9 am to 7.30 pm.

How can I buy a ticket for the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum?

You could buy your tickets outside the museum. Ticket sales end before the closing hour, so be careful!