Editor’s Note: As of April 2024, foreigners with residence permits are NOT eligible to purchase a Müzekart. We will update this post again with any additional developments.
Once you’re officially a resident in Turkey, you can buy a Müzekart (“museum card”) – a handy, money-saving tool for expats keen on visiting museums and historical sites.
What is Müzekart?
The Müzekart gives you entry to more than 300 attractions across the country managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. You can avoid lines at larger sites (using the group entrance) and get discounts at other museums, cafes, and so on.
A Müzekart+ gives you one year of unlimited access to nominated attractions – except those with electronic turnstile systems in place, which allow two visits within the year. Students above 18 years of age, and teachers at Ministry of Education-approved private primary and secondary schools are entitled to a discounted card. The card expires one year after the date of issue.
The list of entry fees available on the DÖSIMM website will give you an idea whether it’s worth buying a Müzekart. It is something to consider if you plan to visit a number of cultural attractions within the coming year; for example, if you’re going on a trip to another part of Turkey, or will play tour guide to visiting friends or family. Sometimes a single visit to one of the more popular sites is more than the cost of the card!
Where can I use it?
The full list of sites where the card is valid can be found on the Turkish museums website. (This does not include some of the major ones like Dolmabahçe Palace and the Basilica Cistern, which are managed by other bodies.)
Outside of Istanbul, you can use the card at popular attractions including the Ephesus archaeological site, the Göreme Open-Air Museum in Cappadocia, Pamukkale (Hierapolis) and Sumela Monastery in Trabzon. Note that Müzekart is not accepted in some separately-ticketed areas within these sites, such as the Terrace Houses in Ephesus, and the Dark Church in Göreme.
How do I get one?
In Istanbul, you can purchase a Müzekart from the ticket offices at sites including the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Great Palace Mosaic Museum, and the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum. Remember to bring your residence or work permit along with the card fee. Students and teachers should also bring official proof of enrollment/employment from their institution to obtain their discount.
While it should only take about five minutes to have your card issued, ticket lines can be long – go outside of peak visiting hours or to a less-frequented attraction (such as the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum) to avoid inordinately-long queues.
A more convenient option may be to purchase online for delivery to your address, or opt for the digital version via the official Museum Card app.
Museum Pass
For visitors to Turkey, there are a number of museum passes allowing entry to multiple attractions at a discounted rate. With multi-day passes available for Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, as well as the whole of Turkey, remember to let your visiting friends and relatives know about the options available. Both tourists and residents can save considerable amounts, all the better to spend on yet another Turkish tea, coffee, or beverage of choice. Cheers!
This article was originally published in 2018 and updated February of 2023.
