With its multitude of historically significant buildings and museums (with free admission on certain days), there are plenty of activities in Istanbul that don’t require your wallet. Check out our tips for a few freebie days in the big Istanbul city.

Istanbul Modern

One of Istanbul’s most important hubs for contemporary art from both local and international artists, Istanbul Modern is an essential experience for art aficionados. It’s also handy to know that admission is free every Thursday, so you can spend a whole day gazing at beautiful art without paying a dime.

Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi Antrepo No.4, Karaköy +90 212 334 73 00 Click on address to see it on Google map.

The Museum of Painting and Sculpture

One of the first fine art museums in Turkey, the Museum of Painting and Sculpture was founded by Atatürk in 1937, and exhibits the works of 19th and 20th century Turkish artists such as Osman Hamdi Bey and Bedri Rahmi. The museum is free daily between 10am and 4:30pm (except Sunday and Monday).

Sinanpaşa, Dolmabahçe Cad. Akatlar Durağı, Beşiktaş +90 212 261 42 98

Pera Museum

A private museum in a beautiful 19th century building that used to house the Bristol Hotel, Pera Museum exhibits Orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights and measures, and Kütahya tiles and ceramics, as well as temporary exhibitions. Some of the previous temporary exhibitions have featured such renowned names as Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso. The museum is free every Friday evening between 6-10pm.

Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65, Tepebaşı +90 212 334 99 00

“ Do you know you can swim in Istanbul beaches ?? Oy Yeah !!! ”

Pera Museum

A private museum in a beautiful 19th century building that used to house the Bristol Hotel, Pera Museum exhibits Orientalist paintings, Anatolian weights and measures, and Kütahya tiles and ceramics, as well as temporary exhibitions. Some of the previous temporary exhibitions have featured such renowned names as Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso. The museum is free every Friday evening between 6-10pm.

Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65, Tepebaşı +90 212 334 99 00

Salt Galata

Stunning both for its architecture as well as its library and exhibition spaces, Salt Galata is a cultural institution located in a former Ottoman bank. Inside you’ll find a beautiful research library (free), restaurant, café, bookstore, art gallery (free), and the Ottoman Bank Museum (free). You could easily spend the whole day here.

Arap Cami Mahallesi, Bankalar Caddesi No.11, Karaköy +90 212 334 22 00

İstiklal Street Art Galleries

Art galleries are always free and therefore a great activity for the budget-conscious among us. In Istanbul you’ll find a lot of the city’s best art galleries right on İstiklal street, including the famous Mısır Apartmanı, a beautiful art-nouveau apartment building that has a different art gallery on every floor, including Galeri Zilberman, Galerist, and Galeri Nev. A little bit further down İstiklal, Arter is another great contemporary art gallery whose exhibitions are always worth a look.

Mısır Apartmanı: İstiklal Caddesi No.163, Beyoğlu
Arter: İstiklal Caddesi No.211, Beyoğlu

A Tour of Balat

Art galleries are always free and therefore a great activity for the budget-conscious among us. In Istanbul you’ll find a lot of the city’s best art galleries right on İstiklal street, including the famous Mısır Apartmanı, a beautiful art-nouveau apartment building that has a different art gallery on every floor, including Galeri Zilberman, Galerist, and Galeri Nev. A little bit further down İstiklal, Arter is another great contemporary art gallery whose exhibitions are always worth a look.

Phanar College: Sancaktar Yokuşu No.36, Balat
Church of St. George: Dr. Sadık Ahmet Caddesi, Balat
St. Stephen Bulgarian Church: Mürselpaşa Caddesi No.85, Balat

Zeyrek Mosque

Quite an off-the-beaten-path sight, the Zeyrek Mosque is a beautiful pale rose-colored structure that used to be the Monastery of the Pantocrator, composed of two former Eastern Orthodox churches and a chapel. The second largest remaining religious edifice built by the Byzantines after Hagia Sophia, Zeyrek was converted into a mosque after the fall of Constantinople.

Ibadethane Sokak, Fatih