Best Free Attractions in Turkey

Turkey is an amazing country, and one of the biggest reasons for this is you can experience three cultures in this country – European, Middle Eastern, and Asian. So, if you are thinking of visiting this place, you are in for a great holiday. The country also has many places where you don’t have to spend any money. Visiting these places will ensure you have an excellent holiday within a budget.

Top Free Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Suleymaniye Mosque

If there is any Ottoman-era Mosque worth visiting, it is Suleymaniye Mosque. Located near Grand Bazaar, you don’t have to pay anything to get into the biggest mosque in Turkey. Just get in and enjoy the stunning architect of this massive place. The mosque has many windows through which natural light illuminates the ceilings. The mosque also has a perch that overlooks the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Suleymaniye Mosque is so big that it also has a massive kitchen, library, hospital, and Hamam. You can visit the mosque anytime from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, except for during prayer calls.

Location-Istanbul, Turkey

Price- Free

Time to Visit- 8am-4pm

Grand Bazaar

The name, Grand Bazaar, is apt for this massive market in Istanbul, Turkey. More than 40,000 shops spread across 66 lanes welcome you to the Turkey of the 90s. The architecture and the feel of the market are unique and completely Middle Eastern. Here, you can buy everything from antiques to the most stunning pashmina fabrics, or you can just roam around the market doing window shopping. This is a must-visit destination that is absolutely free.

Location-Istanbul, Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit-9am-7pm, except Sunday

Dogançay Museum

Adil and Burhan Dogancay are a father-son duo of artists. All of the artwork is displayed in the Dogancay Museum, the first modern art museum in Turkey. The museum houses paintings and photographs by the duo that chronicle their travel and adventures around the world. This is a one-of-a-kind museum that will cost you nothing for a visit.

Location-Istanbul Turkey

Price- Free

Time to Visit-10am-6pm

Bomonti Flea Market

This is another flea market that is worth a visit. Though the Bomonti Flea Market is not as big as the Grand Bazaar (most aren’t), it still has a charm that brings many people to the market. This is an amazing place for cheap shopping, and you will find many unique items like old cameras, classic books, vinyl, toys, and books. This is a favourite haunt for the locals as most love spending their Sundays indulging in bargain shopping.

Location- Istanbul Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit-9am-6pm (Sunday)

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Pera Museum

Every Friday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the Pera Museum is free and open to all who love contemporary art. Pera museum is home to Turkish Orientalist art that cannot be found anywhere else in the country. So, if you are interested in experiencing art and culture, be sure to check out the Pera Museum.

Location- Istanbul Turkey

Price- 20 TRY, Free every Wednesday for Students, 6pm-10pm free for all on Friday

Time to Visit- 10am-7pm

Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars

There is a sizable Christian community in Turkey and they have been in the country for many years. One church popular with the community is the Church of St Stephen of the Bulgars. The Church was actually built in Vienna with cast iron materials and was shipped to Turkey. Witnessing the beautiful church is absolutely free.

Location- Istanbul Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit- 9am-5pm

Beyazıt State Library

Turkey’s largest library, the Beyazit State Library, is one of the most picturesque libraries in the world. Inside, you will see pillars that look like the Roman colosseum. There is also a lot of restoration work done that mixes the old with the new. Do visit this library and you will find yourself mesmerised by the domes, architecture, and the collection of amazing books. This place is free to visit, so make sure it is on your itinerary.

Location-Istanbul Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit-9am-11pm

Turkish Hammam Culture Museum

A 16th-century Turkish bathhouse has been converted into the Turkish Hammam Culture Museum. Though you won’t get a massage here, you will be able to know the history and significance of this important part of Turkish culture. The museum is packed with pictures and authentic artifacts that have been used over the centuries in the bathhouse.

Location- Beypazari, Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit-10am-10pm

Kleopatra Beach

Queen Cleopatra was in love with this amazing beach, and hence, the beach was named after her. She came to relax here when she was travelling in the Mediterranean region, and when you visit this place, you will know why she loved it so much. The icy blue waters of the beach look like they have come alive from an artist’s painting, and white sand looks like snow. The beach has been developed to become a prime attraction with cafes, retail stores, and more, but the best thing to do here is get on the beach and just relax and enjoy the water.

Location-Alanya Turkey

Price- Free

Time to Visit-12am-12pm

Patara Beach

Patara Beach is not your typical beach. The beach stretches for 18 kilometres and is bordered by sandstone peaks. This beach was popular in ancient times as well as ancient architecture was discovered near the beach. Patara Beach is also known for its water sport activities, so it is a great place for enthusiasts. But the best thing about this beach is that it is not going to cost you anything to sit and enjoy the clean waters of this magical beach.

Location-Patara Turkey

Price- 340 Turkish Lira

Time to Visit-8am-8pm

Gezi Park

Gezi Park, near Taksim Square Turkey, provides a serene escape from urban life, offering leisurely walks, picnics, and greenery with pathways, fountains, and designated recreational areas.

Location- Istanbul, Turkey

Price-Free

Time to visit- Open 24 hours

Watch Hot Air Balloons

Cappadocia offers a unique experience watching hot air balloon rides at sunset. The romantic landscape & ecstasy of floating over the undulating terrain make this one of the unsurpassed things to explore in Turkey, offering a peep into the past & the saga of the country. If you are on budget simply watch them else opt for a ride. This is amid the top reasons to visit Cappadocia.

Location-Cappadocia, Turkey

Price- Watching is free, ride costs 850-1520 TRY

Time to Visit- 5-5:30am

See the Bosphorus Bridge

The well-known bridge that spans Turkey’s European and Asian halves are called the Bosphorus Bridge. Admire the remarkable construction that, by holding on to just three poles, unites two continents. This is amid the best free things to do in Bosphorus, Istanbul.

Location- Bosphorus, Istanbul

Price- Free

Time to Visit- Open 24 hours

Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, was built between 1606 and 1616 in Istanbul. It features five core domes, six minarets, & eight additional domes. The mosque’s size, shape, and architecture are awe-inspiring, with blue tiles inside and outside and blue light in the evening. This is amid the best mosques in Turkey.

Location- Istanbul, Turkey

Price- Free

Time to Visit- 8:30am-6:30pm

Ankara Castle

Ankara Castle, built in the 7th century AD for fortification, is located near the Cengelhan Rahmi M.Koc Museum. It has served as a residence, masonry, watchtower, and trading center. Viewing the castle from its ramparts is a memorable experience in Turkey. You can add this in your list of to do things during public holidays in Turkey.

Location-Ankara, Turkey

Price-Free

Time to Visit-10am-8pm

FAQs

Q1. Does Turkey have free beaches?

Yes, a few Turkey beaches can be accessed for free. Public beaches have no entry fees so you can take pleasure in the sea and sun sans spending money.

Q2. Name some of Turkey’s free museums.

Istanbul Modern Art Museum for instance offers free entry on Thursdays.

Q3. What are Istanbul’s popular free attractions?

• Hagia Sophia Courtyard
• Topkapi Palace Gardens
• Blue Mosque
• Galata Bridge

So, if you want to have a memorable Turkey trip on a budget, make sure you visit these amazing places given above and have a wonderful time.