Established over a century ago to celebrate and commemorate Turkish naval history, this museum's architecturally noteworthy copper-clad exhibition hall opened in 2013 and showcases a spectacular collection of 19th-century imperial caiques, ornately decorated wooden rowboats used by the royal household. Temporary exhibitions take place in the downstairs gallery.

The museum's original building houses exhibits including 'The Navy in the Turkish Republic' and 'Cartography and Navigational Instruments'; the latter focuses on the achievements of the 16th-century cartographer Piri Reis.

In the square opposite the museum is the Sinan-designed tomb of the admiral of Süleyman the Magnificent's fleet, Barbaros Heyrettin Paşa (1483–1546), better known as Barbarossa.

The museum is located on the Bosphorus shore close to the Beşiktaş bus interchange and ferry dock. Across Beşiktaş Caddesi, dolmuşes (minibuses) run from outside Akbank up to Taksim Meydanı (Taksim Sq; ₺2.50) and to Harbiye, where Turkey's major military museum, the Askeri Müze, is located. The Ottoman military band known as the Mehter performs there most days between 3pm and 4pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Tomb of Barbarossa

0.02 MILES

In the square opposite the İstanbul Naval Museum is this Sinan-designed tomb of the admiral of Süleyman the Magnificent's fleet, Barbaros Heyrettin Paşa …

2. Palace Collections Museum

0.09 MILES

Occupying the warehouse-like Dolmabahçe Palace kitchens, this museum exhibits items used in the royal palaces and pavilions during the late Ottoman Empire…

3. Beşiktaş Çarşı

0.14 MILES

The beating heart of Beşiktaş, this bustling backstreet area packed with shops, restaurants, bars, cafes – and the neighbourhood’s youthful crowd – is…

4. National Palaces Painting Museum

0.2 MILES

The Veliaht Dairesi (Apartments of the Crown Prince) in Dolmabahçe Palace are now home to the palace's collection of paintings. Highlights include the…

5. Dolmabahçe Palace

0.38 MILES

These days it’s fashionable for architects and critics influenced by the less-is-more aesthetic of Bauhaus masters to sneer at buildings such as…

6. Çırağan Palace

0.49 MILES

Not satisfied with the architectural exertions of his predecessor at Dolmabahçe Palace, Sultan Abdül Aziz (r 1861–76) built his own grand residence at…

7. Maçka Park

0.7 MILES

On a sunny weekend afternoon, you’ll find this slender green oasis in central İstanbul full of picnicking families, canoodling couples and slackline…

8. Yıldız Park

0.73 MILES

This large and leafy retreat is alive with birds, picnicking families and young couples strolling hand in hand. The best time to visit is in April, when…