Arts & Culture · 29 of the best in Istanbul
Istanbul Modern
Renzo Piano on the Bosphorus
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Dosseman · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Istanbul Modern
Istanbul Modern moved into its new building by Renzo Piano on the Karaköy waterfront, part of Galataport, in 2023. Its collection traces Turkish art from the late Ottoman painters to today, with major temporary exhibitions, a photography gallery, a library and a restaurant with a terrace over the Bosphorus.
Why it's on our list
- Renzo Piano building (2023)
- Turkish modern art
- Waterfront terrace
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Istanbul Modern before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Istanbul Modern are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- TophaneT1250 m3 min walk
- TünelT2750 m9 min walk
- KaraköyT1800 m10 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Galataport Taxi100 m1 min walk
- Taxi rank, Şimşirci Sokağı550 m7 min walk
Key sights
- Galata Tower700 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- İstiklal Avenue950 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Bridge1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Taksim Square1.2 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Spice Bazaar1.4 kmWalk 18 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Topkapı Palace1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Hagia Sophia1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Grand Bazaar1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Basilica Cistern2.0 kmWalk 25 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)31 kmCar or taxi 96 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)34 kmCar or taxi 104 min