The Istanbul Naval Museum (İstanbul Deniz Müzesi), on the Bosphorus shore in Beşiktaş, tells the story of the Ottoman and then Turkish navy. Founded in 1897 and housed in Beşiktaş since 1961, next to the tomb and monument of Admiral Barbarossa (Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa), it is run by the Turkish Naval Forces. Its main gallery, reopened on 4 October 2013 after five years of work, holds the sultans' gilded caiques and the last surviving original Ottoman galley in the world. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday; allow an hour and a half to two hours.
Highlights
The imperial caiques
The sultans crossed the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn in these long rowing boats, painted, carved and gilded. Several date from the reign of Abdülaziz (1861-1876): some, with thirteen pairs of oars, carry a kiosk where the sultan sat, while others were used by the harem. A caique once used by Atatürk is displayed alongside them.
The Tarihi Kadırga galley
This is the only original galley still in existence, with the oldest wooden hull in the world to have been continuously maintained. Radiocarbon and tree-ring dating place it between the reigns of Murad III (1574-1595) and Mehmed IV (1648-1687). It is displayed with figures of oarsmen at their benches.
The gilded carvings
Up close, the sterns and sides of the caiques bear 19th-century panels carved and covered in gold leaf, with birds and scrolls. These decorations are shown at eye level, next to the boats.
The Golden Horn chain
The basement displays links of the chain the Byzantines stretched across the mouth of the Golden Horn to keep ships out, notably during the siege of 1453.
The navy collections
Ship models, cannons, figureheads, navigational instruments, charts, uniforms and busts of Ottoman admirals (Barbarossa, Turgut Reis, Piri Reis) round off the visit, along with items from the Savarona, the Republic's first presidential yacht, used by Atatürk in 1938.
Infos pratiques
Tips
The museum belongs to the Navy, not to the Ministry of Culture: the Müzekart is not accepted here, so plan to buy a ticket at the desk. The official website does not show a price list that can be consulted; 2026 online guides give 750 TL for an adult foreign visitor, 350 TL for under-25s and free entry for young children, amounts to check on site (prices checked in October 2026). Some sources also report closures on 1 January and on the first day of religious holidays. Combine the visit with [Dolmabahçe Palace](/fr/attractions/palais-de-dolmabahce), a ten-minute walk away, then follow the Bosphorus to [Yıldız Park](/fr/attractions/parc-de-yildiz) and the [Ortaköy Mosque](/fr/attractions/mosquee-d-ortakoy).
How to get there
Sinanpaşa Mahallesi, Beşiktaş Caddesi No. 6/1, 34353 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, next to Beşiktaş pier and Barbaros Park. Ferries from Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Eminönü to Beşiktaş pier, two minutes' walk away. T1 tram to the Kabataş terminus, then a fifteen-minute walk past Dolmabahçe Palace, or a bus towards Beşiktaş. Line details: [Getting around Istanbul](/fr/articles/transports-istanbul).
Opening hours
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