If you are a fan of modern art and interested in visiting museums, you should definitely add Istanbul Modern Art Museum to your list. Istanbul Modern opened in 2004 and is Turkey's first modern art museum opened by a private enterprise.
The museum has permanent and temporary exhibition halls, α photo gallery, educational and social programs, a library, a cinema, a cafe, and a store. I love following their schedule and do visit frequently.
Previously, the museum was located near the seaside and had an impressive Βosphorus view beside their art collection. Because of some construction works along the sea side, the museum was forced to move to another place. After completion of the construction works, the museum will move back to its original location which was one of my favourite places. The museum's temporary space is a historical building in Beyoğlu. Now the museum has a very central location, and it's very close to the famous Istiklal Street. If you plan to visit it, you may have a chance to combine the museums' surrounding places.
Find your way with 237 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The "Pera Museum" is for you if you're into art from the life of Istanbul and the Ottoman world between the 17th and early 20th century...
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"The Shoe-shine boys" is a very typical Istanbul sight. Having your shoes painted and polished is a nice experience, just be careful who does it for you!
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The "Fenerbahçe Steamboat" has carried passengers across Istanbul's Bosphorus over 55 years. Now you can see this historical ship in Rahmi Koc Museum.
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"Holy Fragrance" sellers sit just outside mosques and provide refreshing perfumes. I would recommend the ones in Istanbul's Beyazit and Yeni mosques.
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"Kurucu Ali Baba Restaurant" is one of the restaurants that serve haricot beans just outside Suleymaniye in Istanbul. Great service, worth the money...
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The "Tortoise Trainer" is one of my favorite paintings to be found in Istanbul. You can see it in the contemporary/orientalist Istanbul Pera museum.
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"Grand Bazaar" is my place to buy the best Istanbul souvenir: round, fat evil eyes! Just don't forget to bargain...
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"Udonya" is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Istanbul. I can recommend it when you feel you've had enough of Turkish cuisine!
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"Kontraplak" is a 'clean' Istanbul record shop, especially for its selection of second-hand vinyl. The owner, Okan, is very open-minded and will help you...
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The Istanbul "Naval Museum" is one of the best museums in Turkey - no, I think it's one of the world's most exceptional, and we're lucky to have it.
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The Istanbul "Archaeology Museum" is just huge. As someone who always visits these museums, these ones (there's actually three!) are a must.
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237 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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