All About Istanbul
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Let your self experience a great city where the Continents meet.

Latest News

New openings

The Zeyrek Cistern is opened to visits after years of restorations.

Entrance fees

As of 2026, Palace museums' entrance fees are raised.

Museum Pass

You can buy the "Museum Pass" for foreigners which is valid for 5 days in various museums of Istanbul.

Museums open 7 days

Many State museums in Istanbul operate 7 days a week, except Topkapi Palace.


More News

Bathonea ancient port

Bathonea is an archaeological site dating back to 2000 BC, located on the shores of Kucukcekmece Lake in Istanbul. Some people call it as Istanbul's "lost port city". Its history includes Hittite and Mycenaean traders, Romans and Byzantines, until its destruction by a powerful earthquake in the 11th century AD.

Bathonea is an active excavation site but many artifacts are displayed at the archaeological museum. Scientific excavations began in 2009 and recently archaeologists unearthed workshops for wine and olive oil production. One of the most interesting discoveries here is the evidence of a Viking presence in Istanbul. Most probably Vikings, known as the Varangians, lived or stayed here between the 8th and 11th centuries while serving the Byzantine Empire.

The port had two harbors with a lighthouse. There was a huge cistern for water storage, an ancient hospital where they found lots of small medicine bottles and materials for medicines.

Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.



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