# Miniatürk, Istanbul

> An open-air miniature park on the Golden Horn: 139 models at 1:25 scale, from Hagia Sophia and the Galata Tower to Cappadocia and Ephesus. Foreign visitors pay 900 TL, card only; closed on Mondays. Great for a 1.5–2 hour outing with kids — but on a short trip without children, your time is better spent on the real thing.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/miniaturk

- City: [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul), Turkey
- YesGo score: 30/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Ticket (foreign visitors): 900 TL
- Children: Under 6 with family free
- Combined ticket: 1,350 TL for foreign visitors; what it covers isn't stated
- Payment: Bank card or Istanbulkart only — no cash or foreign currency
- Hours: 10:00–18:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Summer: 26 June–13 September 2026: Fridays and Saturdays until 22:00
- Where to buy: Ticket booth and kiosks at the gate, or Passo online — other sellers are unofficial
- Museum Pass: Museum Pass Istanbul not valid
- Audio guide: Miniatürk app, 9 languages including English
- Bus: From Eminönü: 47, 47Ç, 47E, 47N; from Taksim: 36T
- Address: İmrahor Cad. 7, Sütlüce, Beyoğlu
- Coordinates: 41.05997, 28.94877
- Facts checked: 29.10.2026

## Key facts

- **1:25** — the scale of every model in the park (source: Official Miniatürk website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **139 models** — of landmarks from Istanbul, Anatolia and former Ottoman lands (source: Official Miniatürk website (English Wikipedia gives 135))
- **2 May 2003** — the park opened to visitors (source: Official Miniatürk website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **60,000 m²** — the whole site (source: Official Miniatürk website; English Wikipedia)
- **15,000 m²** — taken up by the models themselves (source: Official Miniatürk website; English Wikipedia)
- **13 models** — of Ottoman-era landmarks now outside Turkey’s borders (source: Official Miniatürk website; English Wikipedia)
- **2 lost Wonders** — the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, rebuilt in miniature (source: Official Miniatürk website; English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **“A small model of a big country”** — the park’s motto since opening (source: Official Miniatürk website; Russian Wikipedia)
- **Golden Horn** — the park sits on its north-eastern shore, in Sütlüce (source: Official Miniatürk website; English Wikipedia)
- **300 cars** — fit in the car park at the gate (source: Official Miniatürk website; English Wikipedia)

## Miniatürk tickets and price

Foreign visitors pay **900 TL**. Children under 6 with their family go free. The 330 TL full ticket is the local fare and doesn't apply to foreign visitors.

Buy at the booth or kiosks at the gate, or on Passo — the only official channels. There's rarely a queue, so booking ahead isn't necessary. A 1,350 TL combined ticket also exists, but the official site doesn't say what it includes — ask at the booth.

> **No cash, and closed on Mondays** The booth takes bank cards and Istanbulkart only — no cash, no euros or dollars. Tickets are valid on the day of purchase and there's no re-entry once you leave. The Museum Pass Istanbul isn't accepted.

## Miniatürk opening hours

Open **Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00**; closed on Mondays. In summer 2026 (26 June–13 September) it stayed open until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Allow 1.5–2 hours and arrive by 16:00 to see it all.

## How to get to Miniatürk from Sultanahmet

1. Get to Eminönü — tram T1, or a 20-minute walk from Sultanahmet.
2. By Eminönü pier, take bus 47, 47Ç, 47E or 47N, which run along the Golden Horn.
3. Get off at the Miniatürk stop — about 30 minutes, longer in traffic. The entrance is right by the road.
4. By water: the Haliç (Golden Horn) ferry from Karaköy or Üsküdar to Sütlüce pier, then about 20 minutes on foot along the shore. Sailings are infrequent — check the Şehir Hatları timetable.
5. A taxi from Sultanahmet takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. From Taksim, bus 36T goes there.

## Is Miniatürk worth it?

**With kids, yes.** Children love seeing a whole country in one walk, and there's a playground, a maze and the Miniatek interactive area. It makes an easy half-day between bigger museums.

**Adults on a 2–3 day trip: probably not.** The round trip eats an hour you could spend at the real [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia) or [Galata Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-tower). It does make sense if you've covered the big sights, love architecture, or want to see Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus you won't make it to this time.

## What to see

- Istanbul in miniature: Hagia Sophia, the [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque), [Süleymaniye](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque), Galata Tower, the [Maiden’s Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/maidens-tower) and the Bosphorus Bridge.
- Palaces: [Topkapı](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace), [Dolmabahçe](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/dolmabahce-palace) and the bathing pavilion of [Beylerbeyi](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/beylerbeyi-palace).
- Anatolia: the stone houses of Mardin, the theatre at Aspendos, the Mevlana Museum in Konya, and natural wonders like Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
- The Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — the only way to see them whole.
- Ottoman landmarks abroad, from the Mostar bridge to Damascus station.
- Haydarpaşa station, Istanbul's historic gateway for trains from Anatolia.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] It is not Monday
- [ ] Bank card or Istanbulkart — no cash
- [ ] Miniatürk app downloaded for the audio guide
- [ ] I'll be there before 18:00, journey included
- [ ] Water and a hat — there's little shade
- [ ] Comfortable shoes: it's a long walk round the park

## Istanbul with kids: Miniatürk vs Rahmi Koç Museum vs Istanbul Aquarium

|  | Miniatürk | Rahmi Koç Museum | Istanbul Aquarium |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | Landmark models at 1:25 | Trains, planes, ships and cars | Marine life |
| Where | Sütlüce, Golden Horn | Hasköy, Golden Horn | Florya, by the Sea of Marmara |
| Indoors | No, all outdoors | Mostly | Yes |
| Foreign visitor ticket | 900 TL | Own ticket | Own ticket |
| Closed | Monday | Check before you go | Check before you go |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 h | 2–3 h | ≈ 2 h |

Fine weather: Miniatürk. Rain or heat: the [Rahmi Koç Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rahmi-koc-museum) or the [aquarium](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/istanbul-aquarium). Miniatürk and Rahmi Koç are on the same shore, so they pair well in one day.

## Istanbul's historic sights compared

Every historic sight in Istanbul rated by YesGo.

- [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25
- [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
- [Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hippodrome) — YesGo score 77/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free
- [Basilica Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/basilica-cistern) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ 1,950–2,250 TL
- [Topkapı Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · 2,750 TL with the Harem
- [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Little Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/little-hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Valens Aqueduct](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/valens-aqueduct) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
- [New Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Chora Church](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €20
- [Taksim Square](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/taksim-square) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
- [Museum of Innocence](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/museum-of-innocence) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 800 TL
- [Karaköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/karakoy) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Theodosius Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/theodosius-cistern) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · 900 TL
- [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
- [Istanbul Archaeology Museums](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/archaeology-museums) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · €15
- [Yıldız Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/yildiz-palace) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 900 TL
- [Miniatürk](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/miniaturk) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 900 TL
- [Rahmi M. Koç Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rahmi-koc-museum) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · 550 TL
- [Rumelihisarı](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rumeli-fortress) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · €6

## A Golden Horn day: machines, miniatures and a hilltop view

Morning at the Rahmi Koç Museum, a bus to Miniatürk, a taxi or ferry to Eyüp and the cable car up Pierre Loti Hill, then colourful Balat in the evening.

1. [Rahmi M. Koç Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rahmi-koc-museum) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · 550 TL
2. [Miniatürk](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/miniaturk) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 900 TL
3. [Pierre Loti Hill](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/pierre-loti-hill) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
4. [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free

> **Go in the morning** The whole park is outdoors with little shade. In summer, be there for the 10:00 opening; on a rainy day, postpone. Download the app at your hotel — the park has free municipal Wi-Fi, but it can be patchy.

## Good to know

Don't touch the models; pets aren't allowed; tripods and professional shoots need permission. There are accessible toilets and parking, wheelchairs are lent free at the entrance, and there's a baby-changing unit by the women's toilets opposite the playground.

## Tips

- Download the Miniatürk app before you go — audio guide and park map in one.
- Pair it with the Rahmi Koç Museum, on the same Golden Horn shore on the way from Eminönü.
- Afterwards, head up [Pierre Loti Hill](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/pierre-loti-hill) for a view over the whole Golden Horn.
- Bring a card or Istanbulkart: the booth doesn't take cash.
- No kids and only 2–3 days? Skip it — the real Hagia Sophia and Topkapı come first.

## Questions

### How much is the Miniatürk ticket?

900 TL for foreign visitors. Children under 6 with family are free. Card or Istanbulkart only.

### What are Miniatürk opening hours?

Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00. In summer 2026 it stayed open until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

### Is Miniatürk open on Monday?

No — it's closed every Monday.

### How do I get to Miniatürk?

Bus 47, 47Ç, 47E or 47N from Eminönü to the Miniatürk stop, about 30 minutes; bus 36T from Taksim. Or the Haliç ferry to Sütlüce and a 20-minute walk.

### Is Miniatürk worth visiting?

With children, yes — an easy 1.5–2 hours. On a short trip without kids, the real Hagia Sophia, Topkapı and the Bosphorus are a better use of time.

### How long do you need at Miniatürk?

1.5–2 hours in the park, plus 30–40 minutes each way from the old city.

### Is Miniatürk included in the Museum Pass Istanbul?

No. Neither the Museum Pass nor the Müzekart is accepted — you need a separate ticket.

### Do I need to book Miniatürk tickets in advance?

Usually not. If you want to, Passo is the official online seller; resellers charge more.

### Is there an audio guide at Miniatürk?

Yes, in the Miniatürk app for iPhone and Android, in 9 languages including English. Download it before you arrive.

## How we checked

Fares, hours, closures, payment, concessions and rules come from the official Miniatürk website. Some guides quote 990 TL and 9:00–19:00; we show the official 900 TL and 10:00–18:00. What the 1,350 TL combined ticket covers isn't published, so that row is marked “verifying”. Model counts differ — 139 on the official site, 135 in English Wikipedia — and we show the official figure. The free-entry age reads “under 6” on the Turkish page and “6 and under” on the English one; we follow the Turkish. Bus lines are from the official site, but journey times and the Haliç ferry (not mentioned there) are marked “verifying”; guides say the ferry leaves “from Eminönü”, while timetables show it starting at Karaköy and Üsküdar.

## Sources

- Official Miniatürk website (Kültür AŞ, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality): fares, hours, visitor rules, transport, about the park — 29.10.2026
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Miniatürk; Wikidata Q1085952
- English Wikipedia: Sütlüce Pier — Golden Horn line
- Şehir Hatları 2026 timetables (e-yasamrehberi, feribotseferleri) — Haliç ferry

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