Number of Museums Across Turkey Rises to 664

According to the 2025 Cultural Heritage Statistics published by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the number of museums nationwide reached 664, and the total number of visitors increased by 6.8 percent, surpassing 65.8 million.

Distribution of Museums and Archaeological Sites

The total number of museums across Turkey increased by 4.4 percent in 2025, reaching 664. Of these facilities, 220 operated under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 426 were in the private museum category, and 18 served under the National Palaces Administration. During the same period, the total number of archaeological sites nationwide was recorded as 148.

Artifact Assets in Collections

The total number of artifacts preserved in museums increased by 0.4 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 4,012,294. While coins and archaeological materials constituted the majority of the artifacts in museums affiliated with the Ministry, the artifact assets in private museums also registered an increase.

Visitor Numbers and the Situation in Istanbul

The total number of visitors to museums and archaeological sites rose by 6.8 percent to 65,862,639 people. Istanbul became the province with the highest figure, with 18,307,485 visitors, followed by Izmir and Ankara. The number of private museum visitors also recorded a growth of 10.8 percent.

Cultural Assets and Protected Areas

The number of immovable cultural assets increased by 2.6 percent in 2025 to 130,632, and Istanbul was determined as the province where these assets are most densely located. The total number of protected areas reached 27,703 with a 6 percent increase; the vast majority of these areas consisted of archaeological zones.