Turkish museums, historic sites attract nearly 4M visitors in Q1

Türkiye’s cultural and historical attractions draw nearly 4 million visitors in early 2024, with Konya Mevlana Museum coming first among the top attractions

Türkiye’s museums and historical sites have seen a remarkable influx of visitors in the first quarter of 2024, nearly reaching the 4 million mark, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Saturday.  

This surge in tourism reflects Türkiye’s rich cultural and historical heritage, which draws the attention of both domestic and international travelers.

The Konya Mevlana Museum was the most visited museum in this period, attracting 383,392 visitors.

This was followed closely by the Denizli Hierapolis (Pamukkale) Ancient City, attracting 259,025 visitors, and the Izmir Ephesus Ancient City, with 249,482 visitors.

Other notable sites in the top 10 include the ancient cities Nevsehir Goreme and Zelve-Pasabaglari, the Ankara Republic Museum, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, the Istanbul Galata Tower, the Sanliurfa Gobeklitepe Ancient City, and the Nevsehir Kaymakli Underground City.

These figures represent a significant increase from the previous year when approximately 30.5 million visitors were recorded at these sites.

Fueled by a surge in tourist arrivals, sales of the Müzekart, granting entry to over 300 museums and historical sites under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Presidential Administration of National Palaces, have seen a record increase.

In the first quarter of 2024, Muzekart sales reached an impressive 701,162, with notable monthly increases compared to the previous year. The card’s popularity stems from its affordability, costing only $1.8 (₺60), and its extensive acceptance across various public transportation options.

Source: Newsroom