Istanbul Archaeological Museum
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Why go
- Glazed tile images from the Ishtar Gate of Babylon
- The tablet with the laws of king Ur-Nammu, the oldest known law collection
- Two of the three tablets of the 1258 BCE Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty, the oldest known peace treaty
- The cuneiform tablet archive of some 75,000 documents, with the oldest known love poem
- The Nippur-Elle, the oldest known physical standard of length
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 20:00Show all
Don't miss
- Alexander SarcophagusMarble sarcophagus from Sidon, carved in the late 4th century BC, with reliefs of Alexander and scenes from history and myth.Room 8, main building On the map
- Sidamara SarcophagusA 3rd-century sarcophagus found in Konya in 1950.Room 3 On the map
- Lion from the Mausoleum of HalicarnassusA marble lion dating from the 4th century BC, one of the few pieces from the mausoleum still in Turkey.Room 13 On the map
- Colossal statue of ZeusRoom 18 displays a colossal statue of Zeus.Room 18 On the map
- Serpentine column headA fragment from the head of the serpentine column that stood in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.Upper floor of the main building On the map
Know before you go
- Open every day from 09:00 to 20:00.
- Tickets are sold online on the museum's own site, muze.gov.tr.
- The Tiled Kiosk (Çinili Köşk) and the Museum of Oriental Art are closed.
- The new wing, which holds the children's museum, has been closed for renovation since 2021.
- Most of the museum reopened in summer 2022 after restoration that began in 2012; the annex from the 1970s stayed closed.
What's inside
- The main building has two floors: twenty halls on the ground floor and sixteen above.
- The upper floor holds bronzes from Cyprus, along with vases.
- About 800,000 Ottoman coins, seals, decorations and medals are in the collection.
- The sarcophagus of Strato I, king of Sidon, from the Ayaa necropolis.
- The Siloam inscription is on display.
- Pieces of the wall of Babylon are on display.
- An exhibition covers the historical layers and epochs of Troy.
With kids
- The Alexander Sarcophagus in room 8 has reliefs showing historical and mythological tales.
Tips for your visit
- Its address is Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu Sk, Gülhane, Istanbul. The phone number is +90 212 520 77 40.
- The museum stands in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace, just below Hagia Sophia.
- The museum is surrounded by Gülhane Park.
- The T1 Line is the transport line shown for the museum.
Tours and audio guides
- Audio guide
- Optional; you do not need it
- Display explanations
- Turkish and English, with detailed historical explanations
Interesting facts7
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The site's name is plural because it holds three museums: the Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi, the Çinili Köşk Müzesi and the Arkeoloji Müzesi.
İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri - Wikipedia -
The architect of the main building, Alexander Vallaury, also designed the Pera Palace Hotel.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums - Wikipedia -
The facade is inspired by the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums - Wikipedia -
An Ottoman inscription on the gate pediment reads 'Asar-ı Atika Müzesi', meaning Museum of Antiquities; it bears the tughra of Sultan Abdülhamid II.
İSTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS -
The founder, Osman Hamdi Bey, was a painter as well as an archaeologist.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums - Wikipedia -
The museum holds over one million objects from nearly all periods and civilizations in world history.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums - Wikipedia -
The opening date is still celebrated as museum workers' day, müzeciler günü.
İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri - Wikipedia
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Sources: Istanbul Archaeology Museums - Wikipedia · Istanbul/Historical Peninsula - Wikivoyage (see) · İSTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS · Archäologisches Museum Istanbul - Wikipedia · Musée archéologique d'Istanbul - Wikipedia · İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri - Wikipedia · Istanbul Archaeological Museum: tickets (its ow… · checked 19 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +90 212 520 77 40
Questions and answers
Where is the Istanbul Archaeological Museum?
It stands in the Eminönü district, beside Gülhane Park and below Hagia Sophia, in the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace. The address is Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu Sk, Gülhane, Istanbul.
What are the opening hours of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum?
It is open every day from 09:00 to 20:00.
Where can I buy tickets for the Istanbul Archaeological Museum?
Tickets are sold online on the museum's own site, muze.gov.tr.
Which parts of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum are closed?
The Tiled Kiosk and the Museum of Oriental Art are closed, and so is the 1970s annex. The new wing has been closed for renovation since 2021.
Is there a children's museum at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum?
Yes, the new wing has a children's museum, but it has been closed for renovation since 2021.
How do I contact the Istanbul Archaeological Museum?
The phone number is +90 212 520 77 40.
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