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World-class art in Istanbul

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

Last updated: 30 March, 2024

Its centuries as an imperial capital have also left it some extraordinary historical art to seek out – the gorgeous mosaics in the Chora and Grand Palace museums from the Byzantine era, and from Ottoman times, a hoard of beautiful things: miniatures, glass and metalwork, carved and inlaid woodwork, colour-drenched tiles, ebru (paper marbling) rugs and calligraphy. The Topkapi Palace offers a compelling intro, but it’s well worthwhile seeking out the art in Istanbul’s museums.

But in recent decades, a young, vibrant Istanbul has become a world-class centre for contemporary art too, with several new museums, as well as the Biennale and Istanbul Contemporary art fairs, creating a unique and enticing blend of old-meets-new.

Recommendations

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Chora Museum

  • Istanbul , Marmara Region , Turkey

Gold-tiled interior of Turkish church with religious frescos

Experience

An unassuming 11th-century church that’s home to a remarkable collection of late-Byzantine paintings and mosaics in a far more intimate and accessible setting than the vast Hagia Sophia. Open daily.

Good for age: 18+

Great Palace Mosaic Museum

  • Istanbul , Marmara Region , Turkey

Mosaic of man's face

Experience

For a glimpse into the ancient Byzantine era, try this museum showcasing a vast collection of beautifully preserved 5th and 6th-century AD mosaics and artefacts from the Great Palace of Constantinople, the palace of the first Byzantine Emperors. Marvel at intricate designs depicting mythological scenes, historical figures and nature.

Adult price: £2

Good for age: 18+

Istanbul Biennial

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

Istanbul Biennial

Experience

One of the world’s top showcases for international contemporary art. Every 2 years,  renowned artists from around the world display paintings, installations, films, and more in unique settings all across the city.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: 9 weeks

When: Sept-Nov

Freq: bi-annually

Istanbul Modern

  • Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey

Man and a woman looking at paintings in a modern art gallery

Experience

A modern art museum housing the finest collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. The Modern’s temporary exhibits by Turkish and international artists – often organized in collaboration with MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris) – are particularly exceptional.

Adult price: £4

Good for age: 18+

Museum of Turkish Islamic Arts

  • Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey

Exterior of white museum with trees lining the entrance

Experience

This treasure trove of Islamic art and artefacts holds one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic-influenced glassware, rugs, ceramics, carpets, calligraphy, metalwork and ethnographic items, spanning over a thousand years. It offers a fascinating insight into the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Turkey. A must for decorative arts fans.

Adult price: £4

Good for age: 18+

Pera Museum

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

View of art museum in old hotel

Experience

A museum offering a glimpse into the world of Orientalist paintings, and contemporary Turkish art. It houses fine collections of Ottoman art, tiles and ceramics – plus big-name travelling exhibitions – set in a former grand hotel.

Adult price: £2

Good for age: 18+

Sakip Sabanci Museum

  • Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey

Interior of museum showing various sculptures on gallery floor

Experience

Set in a grand villa on the banks of the Bosphorus, this museum features a permanent collection of calligraphy, paintings, and archaeological finds from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 18+

Santralistanbul

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

Old factory converted into a modern art museum

Experience

Housed in the city’s former power plant, this vibrant cultural complex houses contemporary art galleries, a museum, theatres, a library, and a concert hall. It also features outdoor spaces and a scenic waterfront. There’s a diverse program of exhibitions; it’s art museum combines industrial archaeology and contemporary Turkish art in Istanbul’s answer to London’s Tate Modern.

Good for age: 18+

  • Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey

Palace building on a sunny day with trees in foreground

Bucket List Experience

Topkapi Palace

Built in 1459 to become the 15th and 16th-century home of the Ottoman Sultans, this enormous complex became the centre of the Ottoman world. Now it’s a perfectly preserved time capsule of life at the top in this most exotic of empires. Some parts of the palace, especially the harem and the sultans’ private quarters, rank among the finest works of Turkish architecture and art.

The museum holds Ottoman clothing, weapons, armour, miniatures, religious relics, and illuminated manuscripts such as the Topkapi manuscript. The collections the sultans piled up over the centuries – from glittering jewels to Prophet Muhammad’s tooth – are beyond belief.

Adult price: £17

Good for age: 18+

Logistics

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Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around