| Site | Foreigner rate (noted, to be verified) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia | €25 | Upper gallery; free under 8; Museum Pass not valid |
| Topkapı Palace: combined ticket | 2,750 TL | Palace, harem and Hagia Irene; closed Tuesday |
| Topkapı: harem alone | 1,050 TL | |
| Hagia Irene alone | 1,050 TL | |
| Dolmabahçe Palace | 2,000 TL | Selamlık, harem, Painting Museum; closed Monday |
| Beylerbeyi Palace | 800 TL | Gardens only: 100 TL |
| Galata Tower | €30 | €35 announced for 2027 |
| Basilica Cistern | 1,950 TL (last published rate) | New operator, grid not confirmed |
| Archaeological Museum | €15 | €16 announced for 2027 |
| Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts | €17 | |
| Chora (Saviour in Chora) | €20 | 2024 rate, not republished |
| Maiden's Tower | €27 | Boat extra, about 110 TL |
| Mevlevi Museum at Galata | about €7 | Secondary sources |
| Istanbul Modern | 1,000 TL | |
| Pera Museum | 450 TL | Free on Fridays 6pm to 10pm |
| Panorama 1453 Museum | 900 TL | |
| Çamlıca Tower | 390 TL | Official site rate |
| Yedikule Fortress | about 250 TL | Not confirmed officially |
| Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar | Free | Outside prayer times |
| Istanbul Museum Pass | €105 | 5 days; one entry per museum |
Sources: this site's own pages, noted in October 2026 from official ministry and National Palaces sites, cross-checked on 19 October 2026 with recent guides for Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and Galata. Lira amounts are revised several times a year.
What is most reliable, and what is less so
- Reliable: Hagia Sophia (€25), Topkapı (2,750 TL), Galata (€30); several recent sources agree. Other guides publish different euro amounts for Topkapı: always compare with the National Palaces site.
- To verify: Chora (2024 rate), Mevlevi and Yedikule (secondary sources), the Cistern (change of operator).
- Converting: lira prices convert at a moving rate; at the press's implied rate, 2,750 TL is about €55.
Official tickets or online tickets
Tickets sold by resellers generally cost more than the official rate and add an audio guide, a guide or a guaranteed slot. Useful in high season to avoid a queue, they do not remove the security check. See our comparisons: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and harem, Galata Tower and monument combos. Example tickets to compare: Hagia Sophia skip-the-line with audio guide, Galata with audio guide and Topkapı with a guide.
Is the Museum Pass worth it?
At €105 for 5 days you practically need several entries: for example the Archaeological Museum (€15), Turkish and Islamic Arts (€17), the Galata Tower (€30) and the Maiden's Tower (€27) already make €89 without other sites. It covers neither Hagia Sophia nor Dolmabahçe nor the Cistern. Detailed calculation in the museum pass; for museums without paying, see free museums and free activities.
Free entries and discounts
- Children: free up to 6 at Topkapı, up to 8 at Hagia Sophia and Chora, up to 12 at Mevlevi.
- Students: reduced rate at the national palaces, with foreigners paying double the reduced rate.
- Turkish citizens: the Müzekart is valid for them only.
- Mondays: some museums are open, see museums open on Mondays.
Planning the budget
Add these entries to transport and meals in travel budget in Istanbul. Also compare the Museum Pass and the tourist card.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Hagia Sophia entry for a foreigner? €25 (October 2026, to be verified).
Is Topkapı more expensive with the harem? The 2,750 TL combined ticket includes the harem; the harem alone costs 1,050 TL.
Which mosques are free? The Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye, outside prayer times.
Are the prices guaranteed? No: they are revised several times a year.
The Istanbul Authority editorial team, October 2026.
