ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Embark on a time travel adventure at Turkey's Istanbul Archaeological Museums. As the first official museum in both the Ottoman Empire and Turkey, this complex boasts almost a million artefacts on display. Here, you can take a tour of the Tiled Kiosk Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Archaeology Museum. You can also explore collections of objects from many civilizations that Osman Hamdi Bey assembled in the late 1800s.

Enter Istanbul's top archaeological museum complex, which is tucked away next to Topkapi Palace. Here, you can discover the wonders of the Museum of the Ancient Orient, which has artefacts from all around the Ottoman Empire. Some of the highlights are fascinating panels of glazed brick from ancient Babylon and a Hittite relief from the eighth century BC. 

Through the courtyard, you can reach the Archaeology Museum, which is currently being renovated. Here, you can spot classical statues and sarcophagi ( a coffin to bury leaders), besides information about Istanbul's long and interesting history. 

After discovering the Archaeology Museum, you can explore the magnificent Tiled Pavilion. This was built in 1472 and features a collection of exquisite Seljuk, Anatolian, and Ottoman tiles and pottery. It is embellished with marble columns and lets you admire the vivid colours of İznik tiles, which encapsulate the spirit of a bygone age.

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Highlights

• Discover over a million antiques spread across three buildings as you visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museums.
• Explore a diverse range of artefacts from Byzantine, Hittite, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Ottoman Treasures.
• Admire the elaborate portrayals of legendary animals like griffons, centaurs, and sphinxes as well as scenes from Greek mythology.
• View fascinating portraits of Alexander the Great on this tomb, which is thought to have contained the ruler of Sidon, Abdalonymus.
• Explore artefacts from the famous sites of Troy, including the copper replica of the Treaty of Kadesh, the world's oldest peace treaty.

How To Reach

Located centrally in Cankurtaran, in İstanbul’s Türkiye, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums are conveniently accessible via various modes of transportation.

• By Metro: The Istanbul Archaeological Museums are conveniently accessible by metro. From the city centre, you can take the M2 Yenikapı-Hacıosman metro line towards Hacıosman. Get off at the Gülhane station, and from there, it will take only 5 minutes to reach the destination.
• By Tram: Another option is to take the T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line. From the city centre, board the tram towards Bağcılar. After exiting at the Gülhane station, the Museums are only a 5-minute walk away.
• By Bus: Several bus routes pass near the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. From the city centre, you can take bus numbers 26, 26A, or 26B. Get off at the Gülhane station and reach the museum within 5 minutes.
• By Car: If you're travelling by car, the museum is approximately 4.5 kilometres from the city centre. Taking the Kennedy Caddesi road is the most direct route, and it typically takes around 15 minutes to reach the museum, depending on traffic conditions. 
• By Taxi: A taxi is a convenient option to reach the Museums. Depending on traffic, it can take you about 15 minutes to reach the Museums from the city centre. You can easily book a taxi through various ride-hailing apps like Uber or BiTaksi.

Best Time To Visit

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums offer a captivating journey through history that can be enjoyed year-round. You can visit museums on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to avoid crowds and lines. These days have fewer tourists than on weekends, so you can enjoy the exhibits and artefacts at your own pace. For a tranquil and immersive museum experience, plan to arrive early in the morning, shortly after the museums open. Arriving early, usually around opening hours, lets you avoid the noon crowds, see the exhibits thoroughly, and enjoy the museum's tranquil atmosphere.

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Other Essential Information

1. Set aside at least two hours to wander around to get a feel for the museum's vast collections.

2. Wear comfortable shoes as the museum covers a large area.

3. Start your tour early to get enough time to explore all three museums.

4. Consider hiring a guide for a more enriching experience.

5. Don't miss the highlights like the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Tiled Kiosk.

6. Appreciate the artefacts and abide by the museum's regulations.

7. Take advantage of audio guides or informational pamphlets for context.

8. Please note that only the main building Archaeological Museum is wheelchair accessible.

9. Respect rules on photography inside the museum.

10. Consider purchasing a museum pass for access to multiple sites.