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Türkiye will open the doors of 27 museums and archaeological sites for night visits this summer.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that the extended schedule will run from June 1 to Oct. 1, 2025. Visitors will be able to explore some of the country’s most prominent historical and cultural landmarks after sunset, with each location offering different visiting hours.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy introduced the initiative, saying the program would enrich summer tourism by offering a new experience. “This summer, our museums and heritage sites will stay open at night in 27 locations across Türkiye,” he said on May 30. The program aims to welcome both domestic and international visitors who want to explore cultural heritage away from the daytime heat.
In Istanbul, four central locations will offer extended access. Galata Tower will welcome visitors until 11 p.m. The Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts will each stay open until 10 p.m.
Ephesus in Izmir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will remain open until 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The site attracts thousands of visitors every year for its ancient ruins, including the remains of the Temple of Artemis. The Ministry said, “Ephesus will once again be among the most visited sites, offering a unique experience under the night sky.”
The ancient ruins of Nemrut in Adiyaman will open at 4 a.m. to allow sunrise visits. Located 2,150 meters above sea level, the site features monumental limestone statues built by King Antiochos I of Commagene. The Ministry explained that the sculptures blend Eastern and Western traditions, as Antiochos had Persian and Hellenistic ancestry.
Antalya will offer evening access to multiple locations. These include the Antalya Museum, Alanya Museum, Aspendos, Patara, Side, and the Nekropol Museum, all open until 10 p.m.
In Nevsehir, underground cities and open-air ruins will also operate under extended hours. Zelve-Pasa Baglari, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, and Ozkonak underground cities will remain open until 9 p.m. These sites attract interest for their historical and geological significance in the Cappadocia region.
Gaziantep’s Zeugma Mosaic Museum, which houses extensive Roman-era mosaics and sculptures, will be open until 9 p.m. The museum covers 2,500 square meters and features artworks excavated from the ancient city of Zeugma.
The program also includes the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Ethnography Museum in Ankara, which will both close at 9 p.m. These institutions reflect the early efforts of the Republic and include collections from Hittite, Urartian, Sumerian, and Phrygian civilizations.
The ministry emphasized that night visits offer an opportunity to escape summer heat and enjoy quiet evenings at cultural sites. “The silence of the night allows a different kind of engagement with our historical memory,” the announcement said.
In Samsun, the city’s archaeological and ethnographic museum will also be open until 10 p.m. Denizli’s Hierapolis, famous for its Roman theater and ancient baths, will allow visits until 11 p.m.
The program extends to the Aegean as well. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Mugla will stay open until 10 p.m., while Didim’s Temple of Apollo will close at 9 p.m. In Aydin, the Didim archaeological site will also participate in the night visits schedule.
Istanbul
Ankara
Izmir
Antalya
Adiyaman
Mugla
Aydin
Denizli
Samsun
Gaziantep
Sanliurfa
Nevsehir
Erzurum
Türkiye is expanding access to its cultural heritage beyond daytime tourism with extended opening hours at 27 museums and archaeological sites. The Night Museum program offers visitors a chance to explore ancient cities, world heritage sites, and historical collections under evening skies and early morning light.
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