Sakıp Sabancı Museum

If you’re exploring Istanbul and love art, history, or just beautiful views, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum in Emirgan is a must-visit. Also known as The Mansion with the Horse, it sits right on the Bosphorus and is easy to reach by bus from spots like Beşiktaş and Taksim. Tickets are 300 TL, but you can get in for free on Tuesdays between 10:00 and 18:00. The first thing you’ll notice is the impressive bronze horse statue in the garden—hence the mansion’s nickname. Inside, you’ll find stunning collections from the Sabancı Family, including Ottoman calligraphy, old manuscripts, and fine art, all displayed in a gorgeous historic setting with a modern touch. Bonus tip: After your visit, take a short walk over to Emirgan Park. It’s especially beautiful in spring when the tulips are in full bloom!

Unfortunately we only had about 15min to tour the exhibits (our fault for only arriving with a little bit of time before closing). Nice exhibits of artwork and illuminated manuscripts including copies of the Quran and Sultan's decrees. The restaurant on-site (MSA'NIN) was remarkable in itself.

Good mansion which used to be a house for wealthiest families of Ottoman Empire and Republic of Türkiye. Now it is a museum which permanently owns old scripts of Holy Quran and the letter’s of Ottoman Sultan’s.

Great place to visit. One of the best preserved collections of calligraphy and a display of art of 18-19th century in one wing, a contemporary art gallery in another. They have a cosy restaurant with a picturesque view from the terrace and a small but charming botanical garden around the museum. A perfect place for a getaway.

Private museum with a restaurant, cafe and gift shop. Entrance fee is 350 YTL,

The Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) is one of Istanbul's most important cultural institutions, located in the Emirgan neighborhood along the Bosphorus. It is housed in a beautiful mansion, known as the Atlı Köşk, which once belonged to the Sabancı family, one of Turkey's wealthiest and most influential families. The museum is renowned for its diverse collection, which spans a variety of art forms, from classical to modern. It is especially known for its collection of Ottoman calligraphy, manuscripts, and decorative arts, as well as its impressive selection of paintings, sculptures, and contemporary art pieces. The museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions featuring both Turkish and international artists, as well as cultural and historical exhibits. In addition to its art collections, the museum is surrounded by lush gardens that provide stunning views of the Bosphorus, offering a peaceful environment for visitors to relax. The museum also has a café where guests can enjoy a drink while taking in the scenic surroundings. Sakıp Sabancı Museum is a cultural hub that blends history, art, and nature, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the cultural richness of Istanbul.

Very nice gallery, small and no crowded with its own parking and easy to park, surrounded with a beautiful park. There are nice restaurants to combine for lunch.

Very nice staff, affordable museum shop. Have a coffee at the terrace to enjoy the view. Amazing trees and vegetation all over. Definetly worth a visit for art lovers. Thanks to Sabancı Family.

As I sat in the back of the van, crawling through traffic from the airport into Istanbul for the very first time, I looked out the window and noticed banner after banner advertising an exhibit of my favourite artist, Joan Miró. After a bit of Googling I discovered that the exhibit had just opened and was at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Forget the museum - the grounds alone are absolutely stunning. Lush, green, a calm oasis just off of a busy main road in one of the busiest cities in the world. Gorgeous plants, interesting artwork and water features line the paved walkway uphill towards the museum, itself a stunning historical mansion. There is also a beautiful terrace looking out over the Bosphorus. I could spend hours just relaxing on the grounds. The inside is clean, quite and impeccable. The Miró exhibit was very well done and laid out over two floors. Staff and security were prevalent but not intrusive at all. The permanent collection includes Turkish art from the Ottoman era to the 50s. The gift shop, the cherry on top of any museum for me, was small but had quality items and I even got a free poster of the Miró exhibit. I thought it would be a nice idea to have lunch at the cafe on the top floor but the prices were a little too rich for my blood. Entrance cost is 20TL for adults and 15TL for kids, free on Wednesdays. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Sakıp Sabancı Museum's Calligraphy and the Arts of the Book Collection is my favorite. It consists of illuminated Korans, prayer books, calligraphic albums and panels with Koranic verses, hadith and aphorisms, and illuminated documents bearing the imperial cipher. The Sakıp Sabancı Painting Collection is impressive as well. It is composed of select examples of early Turkish painting as well as the works of foreign artists who worked in Istanbul during the later years of the Ottoman Empire. Apart from permanent collections, the museum constantly houses exhibitions and hosts educational activities. Don't skip the gift shop. It has wonderful stuff.