Museum Pass Istanbul (Official): 2026 Price, Sites & Where to Buy
The government-run museum card for foreign visitors: what EUR 105 gets you, what it doesn't, and whether it beats buying tickets one by one
The Museum Pass Istanbul is the only museum pass issued by the Turkish state. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism sells it to foreign visitors for EUR 105. It is valid for 5 days from the first museum you enter and gives one entry at each of 12 state-run sites. IstanbulPass is an independent guide. We don’t sell this pass and earn nothing if you buy it.
Museum Pass Istanbul vs MüzeKart
People often call this card “the Müzekart”, but they are two different products. MüzeKart is the annual card for Turkish citizens. If you are not a Turkish citizen, the official site sends you to the Museum Pass instead. That’s the card this page covers.
Which sites the Museum Pass Istanbul covers
The official map lists 12 sites: Topkapi Palace and its Harem Apartments, Hagia Irene, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Great Palace Mosaics Museum, the Galata Mevlevi House, Galata Tower, Rumeli Fortress, the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam, the Adam Mickiewicz Museum and Maiden’s Tower. The full list is below.
What the Museum Pass Istanbul does not cover
Most visitors expect the famous sites to be on the card, but several are not:
- Hagia Sophia: an active mosque that has charged foreign visitors a separate EUR 25 gallery fee since January 2024.
- Basilica Cistern: not on the official list.
- Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces: run by National Palaces, a different administration.
- Chora (Kariye): its own EUR 20 fee for foreign visitors.
If those sites matter most to you, compare the official card with the Istanbul Tourist Pass. That commercial pass bundles several of them, plus cruises and audio guides, at a higher price.
How to use the Museum Pass Istanbul
- Validity starts at your first scan, not at purchase. You can buy it ahead of your trip.
- One entry per museum. Once you have left a site, you can’t use the card to go back in.
- You skip the ticket-office line, not security. At Topkapi in summer, the security queue can still take a while.
- Last entries. The pass is not valid for night museum visits or after 19:00. The official page lists last entry with the card at Galata Tower by 18:14, and at the Archaeological Museums and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum by 18:45.
- Buying online. An online purchase arrives by email as an e-card. The official terms give a 14-day right to cancel online purchases.
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul worth it?
Add up the separate tickets you would actually buy in 5 days. The card starts paying for itself with Topkapi Palace (including the Harem), the Archaeological Museums and one or two of Galata Tower, Maiden’s Tower or the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. If your list is mainly Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Dolmabahce, the card doesn’t cover any of them.
Why This Pass Works
Sold by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, not a reseller
EUR 105 for 5 days, counted from your first museum visit, not from purchase
One entry at each of 12 state museums, including Topkapi Palace with the Harem, Galata Tower and Maiden's Tower
Skips the ticket-office queue, but not the security line
Included Attractions
- Topkapi Palace Museum
- Topkapi Palace Harem Apartments
- Hagia Irene Monument Museum
- Istanbul Archaeological Museums
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
- Great Palace Mosaics Museum
- Galata Mevlevi House Museum
- Galata Tower
- Rumeli Fortress Museum
- Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
- Adam Mickiewicz Museum
- Maiden's Tower
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul the same as MüzeKart?
No. MüzeKart is the annual museum card for Turkish citizens. Foreign visitors buy the Museum Pass Istanbul instead, which the Ministry sells for EUR 105 and which is valid for 5 days from the first museum you enter.
Does the Museum Pass Istanbul include Hagia Sophia?
No. Hagia Sophia is an active mosque, and since 15 January 2024 foreign visitors pay a separate EUR 25 fee for the gallery visit. It is not on the pass's list of valid sites.
Are the Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace and Chora included?
No. Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi are run by National Palaces, Chora (Kariye) charges its own EUR 20 fee for foreign visitors, and the Basilica Cistern is not on the official list either. You need separate tickets, or a commercial pass that covers them.
Can I enter the same museum twice?
No. The pass allows one entry per museum. It is also not valid for night museum visits and cannot be used after 19:00.
Where do I buy the official pass?
Online at muze.gov.tr/museumpass, where it is delivered by email as an e-card, or at the ticket desks of participating museums.
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul worth it?
It pays off if you plan to visit Topkapi Palace with the Harem, the Archaeological Museums and at least one or two of Galata Tower, Maiden's Tower or the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum within 5 days. If your list is Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Dolmabahce, it covers none of them.