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Türkiye Expands ‘Night at the Museum’ Program to 26 Ancient Cities in 2025

Mount Nemrut

Under the leadership of Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye is expanding its “Night Museum” (Gece Müzeciliği) initiative, allowing evening access to major historical sites across the country. The project, which began in 2024 with sites like Ephesus, Hierapolis, Patara, Side, and Cappadocia, will extend to 26 new ancient cities in 7 provinces in 2025.

This initiative, launched to highlight Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage and extend visiting hours, offers both domestic and international tourists the unique opportunity to explore ancient ruins under the stars—a cooler, atmospheric alternative during the hot summer months.

Sardes: The Ancient Capital That Shines Again

One of the new additions is Sardes, the former capital of the Lydian Empire, located in Salihli, Manisa. With a history spanning over 5,000 years, Sardes is known as the first place in history to mint coins under state guarantee. It is also home to one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, marking its importance in Christian history.

Lighting infrastructure is currently being installed, and the site is scheduled to be fully opened to evening visitors by the end of June. Photos of illuminated sections of Sardes were shared publicly for the first time.

Extended Hours and Museum Access Fees

Minister Ersoy confirmed that between June 1 and October 1, 2025, visitors with a Müzekart (Museum Card) linked to their Turkish ID number can explore selected archaeological sites after 7:00 PM by paying an additional 100 TL.

Key access highlights include:

  • Ephesus Ancient City: open until 11:00 PM

  • Aspendos, Patara, and Side (Antalya): open until 10:00 PM

  • Galata Tower (Istanbul): open until 11:00 PM

  • Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum: open until 10:00 PM

  • Anatolian Civilizations and Ethnography Museums (Ankara): open until 9:00 PM

  • Nemrut Ruins: open between 4:00–9:00 AM for sunrise visits with special lighting

Additionally, cultural hubs like the Şanlıurfa Museum and Gaziantep’s Zeugma Mosaic Museum will extend their hours, aiming to enhance accessibility to Türkiye’s archaeological treasures.

Tourism All Year Round

The Ministry’s ultimate goal is to spread tourism over all 12 months and maximize visitor capacity without compromising preservation. The Night Museum initiative is seen as both a cultural and economic boost—increasing foot traffic, extending stays, and offering new tourism experiences.

“This project doesn’t just light up ruins—it illuminates our identity,” said Ersoy. “Türkiye’s ancient heritage now has a longer spotlight to inspire new generations.”

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