Istanbul Modern
Istanbul’s first modern art museum was opened in 2004, with over 8.000 square meters of exhibition space. The museum has a permanent exhibition space on the first floor where artworks from their collection rotate for specially themed exhibitions. One floor down, you will find a photography gallery, a temporary exhibition space for rotating exhibitions, a library and a movie theater. Istanbul Modern Store sells a wide collection of items like art books, design objects, jewelry, stationeries and accessories from designers. The museum restaurant offers breathtaking views overlooking the historic peninsula, and is open to non-visitors as well. Their education program is rich with workshops for kids of different ages.
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Long Thursdays with Free Entrance 10:00-20:00
Adult: 19TL
Student: 9TL
Groups over 10 people: 15TL
Children under 12: Free
ARTER
An art institution formed by Koç Foundation, ARTER puts on some of the best exhibitions in the city. Open since 2010, the institution focuses on contemporary art with solo and group shows, curated by Turkish and internationally renowned curators. The institution is in a historical building in the heart of Istiklal Avenue with floor to ceiling windows that pull you in. Don’t forget that each exhibition comes with a beautiful catalogue worth adding to your library.
Tuesday – Thursday 11:00-19:00
Friday-Sunday 12:00-20:00
Free entrance
SALT
An innovative art institution also located on Istiklal Avenue, SALT stands out with its two buildings in Istanbul and one in Ankara. SALT Beyoğlu has several floors of exhibition spaces, a bookstore, an indoor cinema where film screenings and artist talks take place. SALT Galata is located in the old Ottoman Bank, a building dating back to the 19th century. SALT Research, a research library with thousands of digital and print resources, is located here as well as exhibition centers and The Ottoman Bank Museum. Neolokal is the restaurant ran by famous chef Maksut Aşkar. The casual café on the main floor offers breakfast, lunch and drinks. For a fancier lunch or dinner head upstairs to their main dining room.
Tuesday-Saturday 12:00-20:00
Thursday 12:00-22:00
Free entrance
Pera Museum
Pera Museum is a private museum in a historical and impressive building in the Beyoğlu district. The museum stands out with its three permanent collections; “Anatolian Weights and Measures”, “Orientalist Paintings” and “Kütahya Tiles and Ceramics”. They also hold temporary exhibitions of Turkish and internationally renowned artists, with a catalogue, artist talks, guided tours and film screenings accompanying each exhibition. Pera Film has a great screening calendar that correlates with the temporary exhibitions.
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:00
Sunday 12:00-18:00
Long Fridays with Free Entrance: 18:00-22:00
Young Wednesdays: Free for students
Adult: 20TL
Student, children under 12, seniors over 60: 10TL
Groups over 10 people: 15TL
Sakıp Sabancı Museum
Part of the Sakı Sabancı University, SSM is a great museum with a fantastic location on the Bosphorus. Its has three impressive collections; Arts of the Book and Calligraphy Collection, Painting Collection, Collection of Furniture and Decorative Arts. Besides curating exhibitions from its permanent collections, the museum also hosts some world-renowned artists’ exhibitions such as Jean Miró, Picasso and Monet.
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
Long Wednesdays with Free Entrance 10:00-20:00
Adult: 20TL
Groups: 15TL
Students, children under 14, seniors over 60: free