City: Sultanahmet
Top Things to do in Sultanahmet
Top 6 History Museums in Sultanahmet, Turkey
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Topkapi Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,196 reviews
This enormous palace was the Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. Although much of the palace is not accessible, the daily tours of the Harem are of great interest to tourists.
Reviewed By fatemat2014 - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
You must visit this to see how the Ottomans use to live... it has a lot of historical artifacts from the time of Prophet Moses and Propher Mohammed PBUH... definitely take the audio guide and make sure you ask how to use it properly
2. Istanbul Archaeological Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,359 reviews
Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in 1891, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts.
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Istanbul Archaeological Museum, with more than a million artifacts belonging to various civilizations and periods, is among the largest museums in the world. It is the oldest museum building in Turkey built as a museum. it was founded by painter , museologist and archaeologist Osman Hamdi Bey at the end of the 19 century. the museum contains artifacts from about 30 different countries that were once part of the Ottoman Empire.the museum consists of 3 sections.Archaeological Museum, Tiled Kiosk Museum (Çinili Köşk Müzesi) and Museum of ancient oriental artifacts. for me, the most important work of the museum is the Alexander sarcophagus.There are marble sarcophagi made with incredible craftsmanship in the museum.Sidemara Sarcophagus belonging to a Roman family exhibited in the Classic Building of the Istanbul Archeology Museum was discovered by Osman Hamdi Bey in the excavations near Ambar Village of Konya in the late 19th century.Alexander's sarcophagus, which is considered a masterpiece all over the world, was again found by osman bey during excavations in Sayda, Lebanon at the end of the 19th century.the sarcophagus actually belongs to Abdalonymos, King of Sidon.it was named Alexander because the depictions on it describe Alexander the great's war with the Persians. in the museum, the 5000-year-old statue of Lugal dalu, the priest in esar temple made for Inanna, the goddess of fertility of Sumerians, greets you incredibly.the tablet where you can see the text of the Kadesh peace treaty, the oldest known international treaty in the world, is located in the museum.these are just a few artifacts in the museum .you must visit the museum.
3. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 639 reviews
The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum showcases Islamic calligraphy, tiles and rugs and recreates rooms or dwellings from Turkish cultures, particularly nomadic groups.
Reviewed By mamz001 - London, United Kingdom
When I read it's an 'art' museum I thought it would just have art in it, but that's not the case. Wife and I were pleasantly surprised at how interesting this place was, by 'art' they mean clothes and all the expensive style jewelries/rugs etc the Ottoman Empire used to own. We were very pleased to have visited this museum. I would highly recommend it, you could also see the swords and weapons the Ottoman empire used to use in battles. I think it was 70 lira pp which is very reasonable as the lira is weak atm, and you would need about 2 hours or so to see everything at a slow pace.
4. Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 634 reviews
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Mosaic museum with mosaics of the great and magnificent palace that served as a palace to the Byzantine Empire between 330 and 1081 AD. The Great Palace occupied a rectangular area in the southeastern corner of the historical peninsula where Constantinople is located, just east of the Hippodrome, to the southeast against the city's sea walls, to the east towards the Hagia Sophia church. It is estimated that the size of the palace is approximately 20,000 m2. The palace has been named by many names throughout history.. Basileos Oikia , Hieron Palation , Palaion Palation, Hippodromou palation , Magnum Palation Many additions were made to the palace by the Roman and Byzantine emperors. During the Fourth Crusade, the Palace was plundered by the soldiers of Boniface In Montferrat.(1200-1204 AD.) Latin Emperor Baodouin II removed the lead roof of the palace and sold it. second and seventh Constantine , first and second Justinian (Iustinianos), Theofilos Basileus ,Lekapanos ,Nikephoros ,Tzimikes,Theodosius Sections of the Grand Palace Among the parts of the palace included: Daphne (residence), Kathisma (hippodrome, lodge),Consistorium (assembly) Magna Aula (throne and reception hall),Nea Ekklesia (Church),Tribunal (Court),Skholai, (guard ward),prison cells,many great halls, a gorgeous,throne room,Coronation hall,Reception halls,Churches and chapels,School Bath,Library,Treasure,Pharos lantern Palace guards barracks,Polo with playground with terrace... Some of the distinctive legacies of the Great Palace that remain today are its magnificent mosaics. The mosaics from the fifth and sixth centuries are exhibited in the Great Palace Mosaics Museum affiliated to the Hagia Sophia Museum Directorate. Many archaeologists attach great importance to these mosaics, both in terms of reflecting the ornaments and culture of that period and in terms of art. Because both the technique used is very successful and there are important descriptions about daily life. It has been understood that the mosaics, which were unearthed in an area of approximately 200m2, were made of terracotta, limestone and various colored stones of different structures.
5. Istanbul Museum of The History of Science & Technology in Islam
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 197 reviews
Was opened in 2008 with a concept prepared by Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, an Islamic science historian. Exhibiting works, devices and tools invented and developed by Islamic scientists between the 9th and 16th centuries, the museum consists of 12 sections including astronomy, clocks and marine, war technology, medicine, mining, physics, maths and geometry, architecture and city planning, chemistry and optics, geography and cinevision screening room.
Reviewed By mamouni768 - London, United Kingdom
Fantastic opportunity to get some insight into the advanced scientific achievements of previous times in the islamic world and how scientists at that time benefitted from previous nations and what impact they had on generations to come elsewhere. They had to design artefacts either based on description in books because no originals disappeared or they are displayed in other museums around the world. Nonetheless it’s an interesting collection and reminder of great and inspirational achievements.
6. Turbes Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
Istanbul Shrines Museum Directorate was established on February 15, 1978 in Istanbul to carry out the services of the tombs under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
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