Turkey Museum Pass: Full Museum List and Where to Buy in 2024

LOOKING FOR THE TURKEY MUSEUM PASS LIST & HOW THE PASS WORKS?

If you’re planning on visiting museums and archeological sites on your trip to Turkey, you’ll want to check out the Turkey Museum Pass.  It is a multiple-entry pass for tourists to museums run by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. You’ll have options to purchase a pass for all of Turkey, Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Mediterranean regions, and the Aegean region.

Use Our Helpful Guide to Learn:

• Full list of museums
• How the pass works
• Cost of the Turkey Museum Pass
• Where to buy the pass
• Download the Museums of Turkey App

Next, let’s look at what the pass is and how it works.

What is the Turkey Museum Pass?

Purchasing the Museum Pass in Turkey will get you access to over 300 museums and archeological sites run by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism all over the country within a 15-day period. Your 15 days start the first time you use your pass for entry into the museum.

It is a great way to save money on museum entry fees if you plan on visiting multiple museums during your trip.  Also, not every museum is run by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, so be sure to check the website or Museums of Turkey app for the most current lists. The pass does not include national parks in Turkey, such as Noah’s Ark National Park.

There are several regional cards available if you don’t want to buy the pass for all of Turkey.

See more of our favorite apps for travel in Turkey.

Where to Buy the Turkey Museum Pass

The best option is to purchase the Museum Pass for a specific region or all of Turkey for your trip at the first museum that you visit. Wait until you arrive and purchase it at the first site you go to. You can purchase a pass for all of Turkey or you can buy a regional pass for the area you are in. You’ll be given a physical card that you’ll scan at each site you enter.

Turkey Museum Pass Cost

Due to inflation the cost of the Turkey Museum pass has changed numerous times within one travel season. I suggest checking in at the Museum Pass website for the latest pricing before your trip. The cost is worth it if you plan on visiting many of the museums throughout Turkey. Also, a regional pass is a good option specifically for you if you are traveling to Cappadocia, the Mediterranean or Aegean regions.

**Note: The purchase and delivery of the museum pass to your hotel for cash payment has been suspended as of March 24, 2022. We recommend purchasing your pass on-site.

Next, we’ll look at the different regional cards, the cost, and the list of sites each region includes.

Museums of Turkey App

We highly recommend downloading the Museums of Turkey app as it is one of our favorite Turkey travel apps. The app will show you sites that are close to your location, and give you an overview of the site history, the open hours, and the cost to get in. This is my favorite feature of the Museum app. The Museums of Turkey app is a gold mine of information for your travels in Turkey.

Next, we’ll look at the different regional cards, the cost, and the list of sites each region includes.

Regional Museum Passes

Istanbul Museum Pass

You can use the Istanbul Museum Pass in 13 museums and archaeological sites over 5 days in Istanbul. Your 5 days start the first time you use the pass for entry. The most popular sites included in the Museum Pass Istanbul are:

• Istanbul Archaeological Museums
• Topkapi Palace Museum & Harem
• Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts
• Galata Tower Museum & Mevlevi House
• Rumeli Fortress Museum

Sites not included in the pass are the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern.

Cappadocia Museum Pass

By purchasing the Cappadocia Museum Pass, you can enter 13 museums run by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism over 3 days. The top Cappadocia museums included with the card are:

• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Zelve Open Air Museum
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Kaymakli Underground City
• Ihlara Valley

Mediterranean Museum Pass

By purchasing the Mediterranean Museum Pass you have access to over 40 museums and archaeological sites in a 7-day period in the Mediterranean region run by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The most popular sites in the Mediterranean region are:

• Antalya Museum
• Aspendos
• Perge
• Side
• Termessos
• Phaselis
• Myra/St. Nicholas Church
• Simena
• Patara
• Laodicea
• Pamukkale/Hieropolis

Aegean Museum Pass

With the Aegean Museum pass, you can visit over 40 museums and archaeological sites in the Aegean region over a 7-day period. There are so many sites that you can pull off the road and go explore in the Aegean. The most popular Aegean sites you can see with the Aegean Museum Pass are:

• Ephesus
• Ephesus Terrace Houses
• Ephesus Museum
• Hieropolis / Pamukkale
• Laodicea
• Bergama Acropolis
• Kayakoy
• Fethiye Rock Tombs
• Museum of Underwater Archaeology

Save Money with the Museum Pass

Depending on the regions in Turkey you are traveling to and the number of sites you want to visit, the Museum Pass can save you money. For the larger sites, you typically pay 100tl per adult for entrance fees into the museums and archaeological sites.  If you have many of the sites on your Turkey itinerary, this can help reduce the cost of your entrance fees. Also, at most of the larger sites, if you show your Museum Pass, you can get discounts on merchandise and any additional activities at the site.

For kids, there are discounted entrance rates for kids 7 – 12 years old when you go to a museum in Turkey. Ultimately, a pass may not be necessary for children traveling with you on your trip because their entrance fees are already reduced. At most sites, kids 6 and under are free.

Museum Pass vs. Muze Kart

Both cards serve the same purpose in gaining access to museums and archaeological sites in Turkey, but they are for different people. The Museum Pass is for foreigners and tourists visiting Turkey. It is only good for a period of days depending on which card you buy. If you are a Turkish citizen or resident, you’ll qualify for the Muze Kart which has a discounted rate and is good for an entire year for all sites in Turkey. You will need to show your ikamet to get the Muze Kart.

Museum Pass FAQs

If you’re planning a trip to Turkey and want to visit museums during your trip, the Museum Pass may be a great option for you. Below are our most frequently asked questions about the Turkey Museum Pass.

What are the top Museums in Turkey?

According to the Museums of Turkey app, the top 10 museums in Turkey are:

• Istanbul Archaeological Museums
• Hierapolis / Pamukkale
• Ephesus
• Ihlara Valley
• Troy
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Goreme
• Kaymakli Underground City
• Gobeklitepe

For more bucket list experiences in Turkey, see our guide.

What is the cost of the Turkey Museum Pass?

The price for the Museum Pass Turkiye is 1000tl for a 15-day period for any museum in Turkey run by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The 15 days start the first time you use the card to enter the site. Most of the large sites charge a 100tl entrance fee, and smaller sites can range from 30tl – 60tl entrance fee.

*Please check the Museum Pass website for pricing, as it has fluctuated due to inflation in Turkey.

Can I get a museum pass for Istanbul, Turkey only?

Yes, you can buy the Istanbul Museum Pass to access 13 museums in Istanbul over a 5-day period. If you’re only visiting Istanbul, this a great option for a multi-entry pass to museums and archaeological sites. Your 5 days start the first time you use the pass to enter a site.

Can I buy the Turkey Museum Pass through the app?

No, you cannot buy the Museum Pass through the app as of March 2022. You will need to buy the pass on-site at the entrance of the first museum you visit. You will get a physical card to carry with you for the duration of your trip. To enter a site, you’ll scan your card to enter the museum.

If I have the Museum Pass, can I skip the line to enter?

If you have the pass, you will not have to stand in line to purchase tickets for entrance. You will have to stand in line to enter IF there is a line. With a pass, you’re given a card that allows you to electronically scan your pass at the entrance of each site bypassing the ticket line.

Conclusion: Turkey Museum Pass

If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, the Turkey Museum Pass or one of the regional passes may be a great option to help you save time and money. With access to over