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Introducing Turkey’s Museums
Turkey has one of the world’s most ancient cultural landscapes. Assyrians, Hittites, Lydians, Phrygians, Lydians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Turks all passed through here-and these are only the main players. Fittingly for a country with such an ancient history, Turkey’s cities and archaeological sites feature some excellent museums.
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Modern and filled with fascinating artifacts from across the ages, Turkey’s archaeological museums are great places to visit on your trip. I spent at least two hours in every museum on this list. History buffs can’t miss these awesome museums, but there’s still plenty for those who aren’t interested in history too.
One particularly interesting aspect of Turkey’s archaeological museums is that they are often regionally specific. That is, the artifacts on display are tailored to the region where they reside. This means that it’s worth seeing multiple museums if you’re hitting multiple cities across Turkey.
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The following are some of the best museums Turkey has to offer. Most if not all of these have English descriptions and explanations, so you can follow along pretty easily. Don’t miss your chance to visit any of them if you plan to visit Turkey.
Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Istanbul’s three archaeological museums are in a compound centered around a shared courtyard. These are the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient, and the Tiled Kiosk. Home to over one million artifacts, you’d better come with time to spare to see it all. The museum has a history dating back to Ottoman times, when sultans decided to build collections of their own after visiting similar museums in Europe.
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The largest, the main archaeological museum, covers primarily Greek, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts. It houses the remarkable sarcophagi of Sidon collection, which should be your first stop. Most people associate sarcophagi with Egypt, but they can be found throughout the wider Mediterranean. Beyond these, the museum displays statues, busts, mosaics, coins, tablet inscriptions, and more from ancient cities found around Turkey and the former Ottoman Empire.
The Tiled Kiosk Museum (built 1472) is the oldest building in the complex. It was the original Istanbul Archaeological Museum, opened in 1880, and today is filled with remarkable Seljuk and Ottoman tilework. As you’re perusing the collection, however, recall that the building itself is as much an exhibit as the displays. Look up!
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The Museum of the Ancient Orient showcases artifacts from across the ancient world; however, I knew I was going to Ankara to see the archaeological museum there, and I just ran out of time. However, I believe it is still worth a stop in, at least to see the cuneiform tablets if you haven’t seen any before.
Entrance to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is 340 lira, or around $12 as of Nov 2023. However, entry is free if you have a Turkey Museum Pass. Opening hours are 9am to 8pm in summer, and 9am to 6:30pm in winter. The museum is located near Gulhane Park.
Ephesus Museum
This museum is a good companion to the unparalleled Ephesus Archaeological Site. Well-organized and brightly lit, it showcases artifacts found across the site of ancient Ephesus. Unlike other museums in Turkey, the Ephesus Museum is arranged not chronologically, but by theme. For example, there is a statuary hall, a fountain hall, an Artemis hall, and so on.
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The museum has a wide range of artifacts on display, from coins, friezes, and tables to game boards, busts, and glassware. In addition to the halls, a courtyard in the middle of the museum displays stonework. The most unique highlight is the Artemis Hall, which displays figurines and statues of the goddess Artemis. Ephesus was, in ancient times, the center of the Artemis cult and attracted pilgrims from around the Mediterranean.
Ephesus Museum makes for an interesting visit before or after visiting Ephesus Archaeological Site. I visited after Ephesus Site and enjoyed it because I could compare friezes and statues to the buildings they were taken from; I had plenty of photos to compare.
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Ephesus Museum wasn’t busy when I visited in the off season; though you’ll rarely be alone in any of the halls, you won’t be bumping into people. Even when Ephesus site is busy, the museum receives more moderate crowds. Entry is 220 lira, or free with a Turkey Museum Pass. The museum is open from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
If you’re visiting Ephesus, the Ephesus Museum is in nearby Selcuk, just a 15-minute minibus ride away. Allow an hour and a half minimum to visit.
Izmir Archaeological Museum
Of all the museums I visited in Turkey, I found the Izmir Archaeological Museum to be the oldest and most traditional feeling. Galleries were a little dark, descriptions were a little dry. But it still contains a remarkable number of artifacts discovered all around the Gulf of Izmir. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and more cultures are all represented here.
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The bulk of the collection consists of tools, pottery, coins, busts, statues, cooking utensils, and even a few mosaics (my personal favorite). The standout attraction, however, is the ‘Bronze Athlete’ statue, circa 50BC. It is an incredible work from Greek antiquity and shouldn’t be missed.
Downstairs, there is a collection of grave cultures and sarcophagi. The middle floor displays artifacts chronologically. Outside, the museum garden contains interesting inscriptions and architectural fragments.
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Izmir Archaeological Museum is in a central location near Konak Square. Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm. Entry costs 90 lira, free with a Turkey Museum Pass.
Antalya Museum
Antalya wasn’t my favorite destination in Turkey. However, it does have a great museum. Antalya Archaeological Museum has an unparalleled collection of sculptures and busts from ancient Greece and Rome.
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The first hall, which covers prehistory and is mostly just dioramas, is rather uninspired. But keep going, because the rest of the museum is fantastic. You’ll want to stop for a closer look at almost every display.
Antalya Museum excels in statuary and busts, and there are plenty of examples of both. In addition, the museum displays sarcophagi, mosaics, Roman glass, Byzantine coins, bronze lamps, Seljuk tiles, and more. Allow at least two hours to visit.
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The museum is located near Konyaalti Beach, one of Antalya’s main tourist areas. It is located around a 30-minute walk from the western edge of the Old Town; there are trams that cover this distance as well.
Entrance is 200 lira, or free with a Turkey Museum Pass. Lockers are available out front. Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm, longer in summer.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Unlike other museums on this list, Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations focuses on older civilizations: Roman and Greek artifacts almost take a back seat here. Instead, the main focus is on artifacts from Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, and Urartian civilizations.
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Artifacts on display date back over 10,000 years. The museum is a piece of history itself; it was originally built in the 15th century by the Ottomans as a storage building. It covers Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Assyrians, Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Classical Greeks and Romans, and Byzantines. Don’t miss the cuneiform tablets, these are some of the oldest examples of writing in history.
Other standouts include the ‘mother goddess’ figure from Catalhoyuk and the incredible stone hall, filled with reliefs and friezes from temples across Anatolia. In addition, the basement has a good collection of Greek and Roman artifacts like coins and mosaics.
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The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is located on the south side of Ankara Castle, near other major historic attractions. It is the best attraction in Ankara and makes Ankara worth a visit on its own. Entry costs 150 lira, or free with a Turkey Museum Pass. Opening hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Final Thoughts
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Turkey is home to some remarkable ancient cities, and museums full of artifacts from their ruins. Almost every major city or archaeological site has a museum showcasing artifacts from the nearby area. Turkey’s archaeological museums are generally brightly lit, clean, and full of good displays with English descriptions. And Turkey’s Museum Passes can really save money if you visit for more than a week. Make it a priority to visit any of these museums if you’re planning a trip to Turkey.