Four Iconic Istanbul Landmarks Will Be Open For Night Visits This Summer

Forbes

23-06-2025

Sunset Time in Galata Tower Beyoglu Istanbul Turkey getty
Istanbul sees more than 18.6 million international visitors per year—many of which seeking out the biggest tourist attractions in the city, including the Galata Tower and the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum. However, with rising summertime temperatures, waiting in line to get into the hot spots in the city is not exactly attractive, which is why the culture and tourism board has made the decision to allow nighttime visits to certain spots.
'This summer, our museums and heritage sites will stay open at night in 27 locations across Türkiye,' said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, minister of culture and tourism. 'The program aims to welcome both domestic and international visitors who want to explore cultural heritage away from the daytime heat.
Here are the Istanbul hot spots open for nighttime visits, as well as a list of the other attractions across the country that will remain open late this summer:
The Galata Tower in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul draws over a million visitors per year and there's almost always a line snaking its way around the tower. Thankfully this year the tower will remain open to visitors until 11 p.m., allowing guests to catch a glimpse of the Istanbul skyline at nightfall.
The group of three Istanbul Archaeology Museums will each remain open until 10 p.m. throughout the summer months. The museums collectively have over a million artifacts from nearly all periods of world history.
You won't be able to visit the Hagia Sophia after dark—but you can visit the neighboring Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum. The recently opened museum companion to the famous Hagia Sophia will remain open until 10 p.m. all summer long. Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Sultanahmet Square was the first of its kind to display both Turkish and Islamic works of art together and is well worth a visit, especially if you're fascinated by calligraphy, tilework, and carpets. The museum will stay open until 10 p.m. throughout the summer months.
The rest of the country will also see nighttime museum and cultural sites opened late, including the following cities and attractions:
Ankara The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations will remain open until 9 p.m.
The Ethnography Museum will also remain open until 9 p.m.
Izmir In Izmir, the famous Ephesus will remain open until 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The Museum Izmir Culture and Arts Factory will be open until 9 p.m.
Antalya In Antalya, the Antalya Museum will remain open until 10 p.m.
The Alanya Museum will also remain open until 10 p.m.
Aspendos, Patara, Side, and the Nekropol Museum will also accept guests until 10 p.m.
Adiyaman Nemrut will be open from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Mugla The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology will receive guests until 10 p.m.
Aydin Didim will stay open until 9 p.m.
Denizli
Samsun The Samsun Museum will accept guests until 10 p.m.
Gaziantep In Gaziantep, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum will be open until 9 p.m.
Sanliurfa In Sanliurfa, the Sanliurfa Museum is open until 9 p.m.
The Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum will also be open until 9 p.m.
Nevsehir In Nevsehir, Zelve-Pasa Baglari will be open until 9 p.m.
The Derinkuyu Underground City, Kaymakli Underground City, and the Ozkonak Underground City will be open for guests until 9 p.m.
Erzurum The Erzurum Museum will also be open until 9 p.m.