Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Turkey  /  Istanbul  /  Chora Museum

Chora Museum, Istanbul

4.4
#3 of 103 in Museums in Istanbul
Art Museum · History Museum
See one of the best examples of Byzantine design in the region with a trip to Chora Museum, whose interior is entirely covered in fine mosaics and frescoes. Originally built by Constantine the Great, this church has been reconstructed five times. Most significantly, Ottoman rulers converted the structure into a mosque in the 16th century. A bit off the beaten path, you have to travel to Istanbul's Western Erdinekapı neighborhood to find this building, which opened as a secular museum in 1948. However, the masterful and aesthetically stunning interior makes this trip worthwhile. Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Chora Museum by using our Istanbul online trip itinerary maker.
Create an itinerary including Chora Museum
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Chora Museum

FROM $150 BOOK WITH VIATOR Best of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Tour
5.0
Duration: 7 hours
Tours from $150 »
FROM $109 BOOK WITH VIATOR Constantinople Small-Group Tour of Istanbul with Lunch
4.9
Duration: 400 to 450 minutes
Tours from $109 »
FROM $108 BOOK WITH VIATOR Skip The Line: 1-2 or 3 Days Private Istanbul Guided Tour
5.0
Duration: 3 days
Tours from $108 »

Chora Museum reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
5,990 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By Mirani1969
    Amazing place, unique spirit.... Was fascinated by the wall masterpieces kept in the years. Hope all those great paintings will be saved for the next generations.  more »
  • By 118mereditha
    Really cool, well preserved mosaics. Area is on the dodgy side, but less oppressively touristy than Sultanahmet. Stroller was an issue, but staff (aside from ticket booth) quite helpful.  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Nidal Khaja
    This small museum (church made in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian) has amazingly maintained vivid colorful frescoes and mosaics. Such a treat to the eyes. It is a small museum so you don’t need much time but since each mosaic has a biblical story, take it all in.
  • By Jinn
    Amazing frescoes here. Well preserved there are in-house guides you can pay for. They will probably give u more guidance. Building itself is under restoration works, also this will become a msoque in the future so it be interesting to see what happens o the frescoes
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Istanbul

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia ©
Architectural Building
Hagia Sophia
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
Buy tickets from $35 »
Topkapi Palace ©
History Museum
Topkapi Palace
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
Buy tickets from $35 »
Sultan Ahmed Mosque ©
Religious Site
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
©
Food Tour
Food Tours
4.9
Duration: 4 hours

Historic Sites in Istanbul

Suleymaniye Cami ©
Religious Site
Suleymaniye Cami
4.9
Duration: 1 hour
Historic Areas of Istanbul ©
World heritage site
Historic Areas of Istanbul
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Little Hagia Sophia ©
Religious Site
Little Hagia Sophia
4.7
Duration: 1 hour
Zeyrek Mosque ©
Historic Site
Zeyrek Mosque
4.3
Duration: 1 hour

Museums in Istanbul

Galata Tower ©
History Museum
Galata Tower
4.3
Duration: 1 hour
Istanbul Archaeological Museum ©
History Museum
Istanbul Archaeological Museum
4.3
Duration: 2h 30 min
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Pera Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Pera Museum
4.6
Duration: 1 hour

Shopping in Istanbul

Kapali Carsi ©
Flea Market
Kapali Carsi
3.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Mısır Çarşısı ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Mısır Çarşısı
4.2
Duration: 2 hours
Adnan and Hasan ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Adnan and Hasan
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Kanyon Shopping Center
Department Store
Kanyon Shopping Center
3.8
Duration: 1h 30 min

Hidden gems in Istanbul

Ortakoy ©
Neighborhood
Ortakoy
4.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
Istanbul Modern ©
Art Museum
Istanbul Modern
4.3
Duration: 1h 30 min
Rahmi M. Koc Museum ©
Specialty Museum
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
4.8
Duration: 1h 30 min
Rumeli Fortress ©
History Museum
Rumeli Fortress
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min

Nearby attractions in Istanbul

Sultanahmet District ©
Historic Walking Area
Sultanahmet District
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Taksim Square ©
Neighborhood
Taksim Square
2.3
Duration: 3h 30 min
Galata Koprusu ©
Bridge
Galata Koprusu
4.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
Cagaloglu Hamami ©
Spa
Cagaloglu Hamami
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min

Featured attractions

Private Istanbul Walking Tours ©
Food Tour
Private Istanbul Walking Tours
5.0
Duration: 8 hours
Cooking Alaturka ©
Cooking Class
Cooking Alaturka
4.8
Duration: 3 hours
44A Sanat Galerisi ©
Art Gallery
44A Sanat Galerisi
4.2
Duration: 2 hours
Before Travel ©
Multi-day Tour
Before Travel
4.9
Duration: 1 hour

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Chora Museum by other users

9 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM INDIA Istanbul Goreme Pamukkale 35 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES London Paris Munich 14 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Istanbul Goreme Trabzon 10 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Istanbul 43 days in Europe BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Dublin Cork Galway 9 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM PAKISTAN Istanbul Pamukkale Oludeniz