Istanbul Toy Museum (Istanbul Oyuncak Müzesi)
Göztepe, Kadiköy, Istanbul Province
Housed in a historic wooden mansion on the Asian side of Istanbul, this expansive collection of antique toys (some of which date back to the early 1800s) is spread over four floors of the restored Ottoman-era villa. There are a total of 4,000 artifacts, each grouped by theme and arranged by a professional stage designer—space toys feature cosmic decor, while toy trains are exhibited in a salvaged train compartment. The Istanbul Toy Museum is great for kids, but it also appeals to the inner child of all travelers.
The basics
The Istanbul Toy Museum is not typically included in guided tours, so it’s best visited independently. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on-site, and any special workshops and events require reservations. While there aren’t any docent-led tours, the museum is easy to explore on your own, and exhibits are displayed in both Turkish and English. There are 4,000 exhibits spread over four floors, but you can easily catch the highlights in 1–2 hours.
Things to know before you go
- Grab a snack or a drink at the Museum Café. Traveling with a group? Enjoy a Sunday breakfast spread, available on request for groups of 15 or more people.
- The Toy Museum is a great venue for children’s birthday parties, so keep that in mind if celebrating a little one’s special day. Celebrations can be arranged in advance.
- The museum is equipped with well-maintained restrooms.
- Students and children receive discounted admission. Keep in mind that older kids and teens are likely to enjoy the museum more, as the lack of interactive, touchable exhibits can make it frustrating for younger children.
How to get there
Istanbul Toy Museum is about a half-hour drive from Sultanahmet, where many hotels are located, crossing the Bosphorus Strait by bridge toward the Anatolian side of Istanbul. Travelers can arrange for a taxi or take the B1 bus from Sırkecı (a 15-minute walk from Sultanahmet). It’s a direct line, but you’ll have to get off at Erenköy and continue on foot for about 12 minutes. Be warned that the location can be a little tricky to find.
When to get there
Istanbul is at its best in late spring and early fall, when the days are sunny and warm but not as uncomfortably hot as the summer. The Toy Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from midmorning until early evening (it is closed on Mondays). It also frequently holds special workshops, theater shows, and other events for both children and adults, although they are generally only in Turkish.
Another Istanbul nostalgia fest: Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence
Orhan Pamuk turned his novel, The Museum of Innocence, into an actual museum of the same name. The story is told through objects, which document life in Istanbul from 1950 until 2000. If you’ve ever wondered what a packet of cigarettes or a salt shaker used to look like in Istanbul, you’ll find the answer here. Arranged over four floors in trendy Beyoğlu and organized by chapter, the museum presents a colorful showcase of the city’s material past.
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