Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
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The cultural capital of Türkiye is well-known for its historical museums and architecture—but Istanbul also has an incredible number of art museums to explore. The city boasts art museums that range from Ottoman-era artworks to contemporary art museums on the cutting edge of digital and modern art.
If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul and are looking to add an art museum to your itinerary, check out the following. Here are 5 great art museums to visit in Istanbul in 2025:
Pera Museum
The Pera Museum is just around the corner from Taksim Square and the Pera Palace Hotel which makes it an excellent option to pop into once you’ve gotten tired of the bustle of Istiklal Avenue. The five-storey museum focuses mainly on Orientalist paintings and plays home to beloved Turkish artist Osman Hamdi Bey’s The Tortoise Trainer. The top two floors are reserved for visiting exhibitions that can range from Ottoman-era artworks to modern and contemporary foreign artists.
Turkish & Islamic Art Museum
Chances are good that you’ll find yourself nearby to the Turkish & Islamic Art Museum, which is located in Sultanahmet Square almost directly across from the Blue Mosque. The building dates back to 1524 and is a work of art in and of itself—but the contents of the museum are equally mesmerizing. Inside you’ll find more than 40,000 different examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and carpets that represent different cultures and periods in Türkiye.
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art—otherwise known simply as Istanbul Modern—first opened its doors over twenty years ago but it rose to new heights after relocating to the Renzo Piano building in the Gatataport in 2023. The stunning 113,000 square foot space spans across five floors and includes thousands of contemporary works by Turkish artists as well as a cinema, educational workshops, and a beautiful indoor/outdoor restaurant and cafe.
Istanbul Museum of Painting & Sculpture
If you prefer more traditional fine art over modern works, you’ll want to head to the Istanbul Museum of Painting & Sculpture which is just around the corner from the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. This Turkish art museum boasts artworks from the earliest days until the twentieth century, including many works from Osman Hamdi Bey.
National Painting Museum
The National Painting Museum—or the Resim Müzesi—is great to tack onto a trip to the Dolmabahçe Palace as it’s located on the same grounds as the famous Ottoman-era palace. The mid-sized museum boasts a collection of paintings by Turkish and international artists from the nineteenth century including Şeker Ahmed Pasha and Osman Hamdi Bey.
