Rahmi M Koc Museum

A Fun Day Out at The Rahmi M Koc Museum

There are plenty of museums in Istanbul, and whilst most of them tell you the story of the city, dating back to before the Ottoman Empire, some have a slight difference. One of them is the very popular and fun-filled Rahmi M Koc Museum.

Dedicated to transport, communications, and the various industries that made their homes in Istanbul, the Rahmi M Koc Museum is a great day out for all the family, and offers something to see and do for every taste. Located right on the banks of the Golden Horn, the museum is also very well placed for exploring the area, and is extremely easy to get to as well.

What is the Rahmi M Koc Museum?

As the name would suggest, the Rahmi M Koc Museum was founded by Rahmi Koc, a very rich businessman who loved everything to do with mechanics and industry. The museum opened in 1994 and has been a very popular spot every since. The museum is home to all manner of different cars, boats, buses, planes, and everything else industrial-related. There are new exhibitions cropping up from time to time, but the various exhibits which are there on a permanent basis, such as the Kalender steam ferry and the huge number of different bikes (including penny farthings and one of the first motorbikes) are some of the most popular spots to head to.

There is a World War II submarine docked within the museum grounds which dates back to 1944, and if you pay an extra 7TL, you can go on the submarine – this is something the kids will certainly love, as well as history lovers. There is also a self-propelled car on display which dates back to the 1930s, and that is also a very popular exhibit within the museum.

What really sets the Rahmi M Koc Museum apart isn’t just the subject matter and the sheer number of displays, but also the interactive nature of the museum. This is a very modern-thinking place to visit, and you’ll find hands-on exhibitions, as well as experiments you can take part in. If you are visiting with children, this is a great way to teach them about industry and transportation, not only in Istanbul, but across the world in past history.

Visiting The Rahmi M Koc Museum

The Rahmi M Koc Museum is open every day apart from Monday. Remember to check on public holidays, as the museum may be closed on those days too. Opening times are 10am until 5pm on Tuesdays to Fridays, and the museum stays open until 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There is a small admission fee of 15TL to go inside the museum, and the extra 7TL if you want to go inside the submarine.

The Rahmi M Koc Museum is located in Sutluce, which sits on the banks of the Golden Horn. You can reach the museum by ferry, and it’s certainly a very pleasant and scenic journey! Simply take the Halic Hatti ferry from Eminonu and get off at Haskoy. The museum is a short walk from there. If you are staying over on the Asian side, jump on the ferry over to Eminonu and then connect from there.

Within the museum there are also many restaurants and cafes to try, so it really is a great day out with all the facilities you could need! There is a Parisian cafe, a Turkish restaurant and even an English pub on site! The various restaurants are all decorated to make you feel like you’re in that particular setting, so you might feel like you’re travelling the world at the same time!

How long you spend in the Rahmi M Koc Museum depends upon how much time you have, but it is certainly a good halfway out at least. From there you can explore the rest of the Golden Horn, and take your time walking around the various hotspots. Remember, Eminonu is a great place to visit, and one which will show you authentic life. Eminonu is very busy however, so if you are travelling with children make sure they stay close to you, to avoid them getting lost in a crowd.

There are some major tourist attractions around here, and Sultanahmet isn’t that far a walk away, with the beautiful Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and Grand Bazaar, all within visiting distance too. The New Mosque is also situated in Eminonu and is a wonderful sight to see when the sun sets, casting that beautiful orange glow over the entire Golden Horn area