Istanbul is currently one of the most popular tourist cities among tourists around the world.

As this Turkish city receives millions of tourists every year from all over the world, and many tourists come to visit its archaeological sites.

Meanwhile, there are many people wanting to visit museums in this city, and the Turkish government has provided facilities for tourists, including the Istanbul Museum Pass.

With the purchase of the Istanbul Museum Pass, you no longer have to pay every time you visit a museum in Istanbul, and you can also go to museums without having to wait in long lines to enter.

Follow us in this article to inform you about the advantages of the Istanbul Museum Pass.

Istanbul Museum Pass

As mentioned earlier, the Istanbul Museum Pass is one of the facilities provided by the Turkish government to the city’s tourists.

With this card, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Istanbul at the lowest cost, and you should know that many buildings and historical monuments in Istanbul have been converted into museums today, so through this card, you will be able to see different places closely.

You should know that each museum card is for one person only, and you do not need to get an Istanbul museum Pass for children under 12 years old.

With the museum card, you can visit each attraction only once, and if you leave the museum, you cannot re-enter it.

This museum entry card provides access to 10 museums in Istanbul, which only belong to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey.

Is the Istanbul Museum Pass the same as MüzeKart +?

No, not the same, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism created the MüzeKart + card in 2008, it was and still a great success among Turkish citizens and foreigners residing in Turkey.

But tourists are not allowed to buy one, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has created a separate card for tourists, the Istanbul Museum Pass.

The MüzeKart + card is valid for more than 300 museums all over Turkey, which only Turkish citizens and foreigners with a residence permit can obtain.

Therefore, as a tourist to Istanbul, Museum Pass Istanbul is the only card that you can apply for!

Museums that you can visit using the Istanbul Museum Pass

• Topkapi Palace Museum
• Harem Apartments in Topkapi Palace Museum
• Hagia Sophia Museum
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
• Istanbul Archeology Museum
• Chora Museum and Church
• The Great Palace Mosaic Museum
• Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam
• Galata Tower Museum
• Rumeli Hisar Castle Museum

Pros of the Istanbul Museum Pass

• The Istanbul Museum Pass will save you the cost of visiting the most famous museums in Turkey, about 45% of the cost
• With the Istanbul Museum Pass, you do not need to stand in line and you can enter the museum without delay

The price and validity of the Istanbul Museum Pass

The Istanbul Museum Pass is valid for 5 days, and the start time is exactly the same time you use the card for the first time.

The price of the Istanbul Museum Pass is 360 Turkish liras (about 40 euros).

How to get the Istanbul Museum Pass?

You can prepare the Istanbul Museum Pass in person or by applying online. Below, we will explain to you how you can obtain the Istanbul Museum Pass:

Getting the Istanbul Museum Pass in person

You don’t need to go to a special place to buy an Istanbul Museum Pass, all you have to do is plan to visit one of the most famous attractions in Istanbul and get the Istanbul Museum Pass from the ticket office.

In general, you can find the Istanbul Museum card in museums such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul Archeology Museums, Palace of the Mosaic Museum, Khora Church, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam.

Setting up Istanbul Museum Pass online

As you know, these days we can use the Internet to fulfill most of our needs, so you can also apply for an Istanbul Museum Pass online, and by registering and providing your hotel’s address on the website, they will send the card to the hotel for you.

Istanbul Museum Pass Website: www.muze.gov.tr

Other Istanbul Museum pass types and prices

Istanbul Deluxe Welcome Card

This card is delivered to your hotel for free when you buy it online, and it will be ready for use upon your arrival, you can also get it from both airports in Istanbul.

Istanbul Welcome Card enables you to skip long queues in 9 museums, and a tourist guide is included with 3 of them, a Bosphorus cruise, 20 free rides on public transport (metro, bus, tram …), and a digital guide book and a map .

Museums include:

Topkapi Palace, Galata Museum, Great Mosaic Palace Museum, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Archeology Museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Rumeli Hisar Castle, Museum of Science and Technology in Islam, and the Basilica Reservoir.

Tour guides include:

You will have a guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Reservoir with one of Istanbul’s historical guides.

• Hagia Sophia: Tour duration: 60 daily minutes at 10:30
• Topkapi Palace: Tour Duration: 90 minutes daily at 12:00, except for Tuesday
• Basilica Reservoir: Tour duration: 30 minutes, daily at 12:00, 13:00, 15:00
• Bosphorus cruise: Tour duration: 90 minutes, daily at 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00

Card validity and price:

It is valid for 7 days from your first visit.

Price: 85 euros.

You can buy the Istanbul Deluxe Welcome Card through its official website by clicking here.

MüzeKart + card

There are about 300 museums in Turkey, and if you want to visit them all, you can get a MüzeKart + card that cost 60 Turkish liras, which is valid for one year, but this card is only available to Turkish citizens and foreigners residing in Turkey.

To purchase a MüzeKart + card click here.

The post Istanbul Museum Pass, an economic opportunity to learn about Turkish history appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

The restoration of the Galata Tower in Istanbul is underway, with the aim of transforming it into a museum, due to be opened on September 15th.

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy had previously announced several changes in the use of the historical Galata Tower in Istanbul.

The Turkish Sabah newspaper reported that the Galata Tower in Istanbul, which was previously run by the Istanbul Municipality, had been handed over to the General Directorate of Turkish state enterprises.

Ersoy said, explaining the details of the changes in the Galata Tower: “All changes will be focused on the upper floor of the tower, and that various exhibitions will be held on each of the floors of the tower.

The minister also referred to the fate of restaurants and cafes inside Galata Tower, where he said: “The city is full of cafes and restaurants and there is no need to make money inside the tower.”

The famous Galata Tower consists of nine floors, and its height is about 66.90 meters, with an external diameter of about 16.45 meters, and an internal diameter of about 8.95 meters, and the thickness of its walls is estimated at 3.75 meters.

The tower is located in Beyoglu district at the end of the famous Istiklal Street in Istanbul, and it was built in 1384, as it was restored several times since that date, due to wars and fires, and the last restoration of this tower was in the sixties of the last century. Also in 2013, the tower entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Read more about the Galata Tower in Istanbul

The post Galata Tower in Istanbul to be transformed into a museum appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

The Galata Tower in Istanbul, also known in Latin as the tower of Christ, is a beautiful archaeological tower in the European part of the city, and it is considered one of the monuments built in the Byzantine period that still receives tourists to this day, as it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city.

The tower was built directly on the Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul, located near the Bosphorus strait, which is one of the most important features that characterize Istanbul, as it is the only city in the world that is located on two different continents.

Galata Tower was known in the 14th century as the tallest building in Istanbul.

Entrance to the Galata Tower in Istanbul

The tower consists of 3 sections: the entrance, the restaurant and the upper visitor section. Visitors use the elevators in the tower to reach the upper 7 floors. The last two floors of the tower can only be reached through the stairs.

Once you enter this ancient tower, you will travel on a journey through history and enjoy the passage of time, seeing this tower with its entire structure and beautiful architecture, which will make you stand before it in a state of amazement and fascination. This architecture looks exactly like the European towers showing itself in the heart of Istanbul, where tourists can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views that bring together the two continents of Asia and Europe, between the Bosphorus narrow and the Golden Horn Bay, where all sections of Istanbul combine together.

It is worth noting that the Galata Tower consists of 9 floors in the 14th century. It is about 66.9   meters high (220 Feet).

The main entrance to the Galata Tower

In order to be able to see the Galata Tower in Istanbul, you must go to Istiklal Street in the Galata District, you can of course see the tower easily on your way at the end of the street. Where you can see the winding stone stairs that lead to the square where the tower is located.

And if you want to go to Istanbul. This is a unique opportunity, which must be tried to enjoy watching the Bosphorus strait and discover the most important monuments in the city from above, such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

Go to the top of the Galata tower and enjoy seeing all this beauty and splendor in one place, and of course we also have good news for those who find it difficult to cross the stairs for any reason. As the tower is equipped with an elevator during the recent renovations, so you can easily reach the seventh floor of the tower, in which case you will have to go through the remaining two floors on foot again.

The upper section in the Galata Tower in Istanbul

One of the things that all tourists want to experience as soon as they enter this tower, is to climb to the highest point of the tower, to see one of the most beautiful landscapes integrated with the beauty and civilization of Istanbul, in one place.

You can enjoy the scenery surrounding the tower and the Bosphorus strait to the fullest extent, and if you are hungry, you can also have a unique meal in this tower and try the best Turkish food and sweets, you can also take souvenir pictures dressed as a Turkish Sultan in the tower.

History of the Galata Tower in Istanbul

Seven hundred years ago, and perhaps more than that, during the reign of the Roman Empire, the tower was built and named as the Tower of Christ, later called Galata, but in 1461 another tower was built next to the Galata Tower at the request of the ruler in that period.

The tower was used as an astronomical observatory for a period of time by the scientist Takieddine, after which the tower was closed in 1579. It is interesting to note that the tower at first, was used only as a tall guard building to protect urban guards. However, in the following years, it became a prison, and therefore this building was repaired several times, especially the upper part of it, and of course, it should be noted that this is the only reform process in the history of the tower, to be rebuilt in this way.

The tower was not as long and beautiful as it is today, but between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Galata Tower was ablaze several times, damaging the roof and part of the building until, and after a few years, the tower was restored and the conical roof resembling the tip of the pencil was built. To avoid damage and destruction.

As we mentioned, the Galata Tower has been repeatedly destroyed throughout its long history, whether due to natural disasters or wars and fire, and the most severe of these damages, was that caused by the 1509. Earthquake. At this time, the tower was used as a secret prison, and helped restore it one of the most famous architects of the country then, and after rebuilding the tower, the tower was no longer used as a prison again.

In 1794, during the reign of the Ottomans, the tower was burned again, but after its restoration, a small wooden room was added inside the tower.

It is interesting that this is not the only time the tower falls prey to fire. In the era of Sultan Mahmud, the tower was renewed and restored once again after it burned, and two more floors were added to the tower.

Finally, this tower was last renovated in 1960. The restaurant was built inside the tower, to become one of the most famous restaurants in Istanbul.

Sections of the Galata Tower in Istanbul

During the historical events of the Galata Tower, it was renewed over and over again, but in some of these reconstruction and repair operations, new parts were added to it, which made the architecture and design of this tower even more exciting. It multiplies its beauty, and you should also know that this tower, like other buildings, consists of several sections.

1 – Entrance

In this section, you can take advantage of the information center located in the Galata Tower or ask the tour guides stationed in this section, then go up the tower through the elevator or spiral staircase.

2 – The upper visitor section

It can be said that the most attractive part of the Galata Tower, is the upper visitor section that most tourists visit to see a 360 degree panoramic view of Istanbul. On this large section, you can see all the sights of this beautiful city in one place. From the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus Bridge to the Sea of ​​Marmara and the unique Hagia Sophia Mosque.

Note that the best time to visit Galata Tower is in the early morning, as it is one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul and is very busy in the middle of the day. Unless you want to see the sunset from one of the most beautiful areas of Istanbul, in that case we say enjoy the view and good luck.

3- Galata Tower Restaurant & Cafe ( Canceled )

The Galata Tower Restaurant is undoubtedly one of the most famous restaurants in Istanbul, and it is worth the experience, because the dining experience in the longest historical tower in Constantinople with a charming view of the beautiful city of Istanbul can not be easily found anywhere.

It is worth Noting that the restaurant and cafe in Galata Tower was closed, after it was converted to a museum

you can read more about the topic here

How to go to Galata Tower in Istanbul

Upon entering the end of Istiklal Street, you can see the beautiful and amazing Galata Tower, that can be reached easily, through the use of public transportation in Istanbul, where you can use the Istanbul Metro line and get off at a station called Şişane Station next to the Tower.

You can also get off at Taksim metro station, entering from the beginning of the famous Istiklal Street directly to the tower.

The post Galata Tower Museum, A tour in history of Istanbul – All you need to know appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

When it comes to the name of Istanbul, we often remember the excitement of Istiklal Street, which is a major factor that makes many travelers want to visit Istanbul every year.

And when talking about Istanbul, we must talk about Istiklal Street, that bustling street that comes to life in all its corners and which embodies Istanbul’s indescribable excitement.

The street extends 1.5 km, starting from the famous Taksim Square, to the well-known Galata Tower, and this street requires at least one day to get to know it in detail. Within a charming tour of famous shops and historical monuments such as churches and wonderful mosques.

As mentioned above, Istanbul’s Istiklal Street is one of the busiest streets in the city, with millions passing through it daily. Colorful shops and large restaurants are located on both sides of the street, as well as many historical attractions. The buildings on this street date back to the Ottoman era. Where the sheikhs, intellectuals and the rich lived in this street.

And if you want to visualize the true feeling of walking in this street, imagine the squares filled with the smell of grilled corn and the music being played around. And don’t forget the famous red tram passing by you, as a postage stamp brought to life.

A brief history of Istiklal Street in Istanbul

The elders, the educated and the wealthy lived on this street. The street name was changed to Istiklal (Independence) Street after the Turkish war that led to the country’s independence, and in the 1990s. Istanbul’s local council decided to do something for the street and renovate it, spending millions of dollars to make it look as attractive and impressive as it is today.

Visiting churches, mosques and shrines

If you are interested in religious monuments, you will definitely love Sunday Spiritual Tour, as you can visit the most important churches, mosques and places of worship on Istiklal Street and adjacent neighborhoods.

There are a few churches in Istanbul, but the largest and best is the St. Antuan Church. You will see charming architecture inside the church. Which is a place of worship for Christians who live in the Islamic State in Turkey.

Other historical sites that can be visited in Istanbul’s Istiklal Street include the Armenian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, Molavi Galata House, the Crimean Memorial Church and the Jewish Synagogue.

Shopping in Istiklal Street:

It is very easy in this street to find anything you want like clothes, decor, sportswear, perfumes, etc.

However, many of these stores are global brand stores, so you cannot bargain for discounts.

You can also go to the local shopkeepers who sit on either side of the street, drinking tea and talking to you about the price you want to pay. You are in Istanbul, and this is the traditional way to bargain here!

You Might Like This: Istanbul Shopping Festival 2020

Art galleries on this street!

In the back alleys of Istiklal Street, there are numerous art galleries such as the Prague Museum, which houses one of the most expensive paintings in Turkey. In addition to small exhibitions in the Galata region, it contains the works of Turkish and international artists.

If you are interested in artwork but don’t want to go to galleries, try out street signs. In some parts of Istanbul, works of Istanbul’s most famous artists are shown as street graphics.

Çiçek Pass or Flower Pass

There is a corridor in Istiklal Street in Istanbul called Çicçek or Flower Pass, which is a famous historical site that contains many cafes and restaurants. This corridor was a theater hall destroyed by fire. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, formerly wealthy Russian women sold flowers there, and later was called the Flower pass. The corridor features unique architecture, and you can walk beside the arch in the shape of a dome and drink a cup of coffee.

Istiklal Street nights in Istanbul

Istiklal Street is located in the Beyöğlü District, and you can be completely confident that you will never see it quiet, endless exciting nightlife, festivals, cafes and restaurants where you can find all your local and international dishes. In short, you will live an experience like no other.

Delicious food in Istiklal Street

There are many entertainment options on Istiklal Street in Istanbul. Perhaps the most exciting of these options is the food you can find there, including stuffed mussels and famous pastries in the street.

One of the most famous restaurants in Istiklal Street is Amadina (the city) restaurant, it is one of the best restaurants in Istiklal Street in Istanbul where you can taste delicious food.

Taksim Square

It means “division” in Turkish. It is a large square in central Istanbul and one of the busiest and lively squares in the city, and it is a popular square among locals and tourists alike.

It is located in the center of Taksim Square, the statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Ismet Inonu, one of the Turkish revolutionary leaders, was built on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, from the work of the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica.

Cultural Center

In Taksim Square in Istanbul you’ll find the Ataturk Cultural Center, which is one of the most important and largest cultural centers in the city, a multi-purpose center and an opera house, and one of the most prominent examples of Turkish architecture since the 1990s.

The center offers all theatrical performances and opera performances with the conductor of the orchestra, choir, folk music and a variety of festivals and summer celebrations, in addition to many art galleries in the center.

The post Video: Istiklal Street, the beating heart of Istanbul appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.