The number of tourists visiting the palaces, mansions and pavilions associated with the Presidency of the National Palaces reached a new record in 2022, reaching over 6 million. This is a 98 percent increase compared to 2021.
Tourism in the country is booming again after the coronavirus pandemic has almost passed.
A noticeable difference was noted in the number of visitors in 2021 and 2022, according to the data of the Presidency of National Palaces, mainly including data from Topkapı, Dolmabahçe and Beylerbey Palaces and Ainalıkavak, Ihlamur and Küçüksu Pavilions.
These priceless cultural heritages contribute significantly to the country’s tourism potential with increasing numbers of visitors every year.
Accordingly, the number of tourists visiting the palaces in 2022 reached over 6.7 million, an increase of 98 percent over the previous year. In 2021, this figure was recorded as nearly 3 million.
Topkapi Palace, which was visited by 3.3 million tourists, was the most visited palace in 2022.
It is followed by Dolmabahçe Palace with 1.5 million tourists.
The Beylerbey Summer Palace, located under the Bosphorus Bridge, is the most visited palace on the Asian side of Istanbul. It increased the number of visitors from 133,000 to 393,000 people.
The number of visitors received at the Ottoman palaces in 2022 increased by 58 percent even compared to the pre-pandemic visits of 2019.
In addition to the historic palaces, Beykoz Museum of Glass and Crystal, which opened in April 2021, was among the places that increased the number of visitors. The museum became a frequent destination for over 185,000 people in 2022.
The historic Hagia Sophia has also become one of the most visited buildings by local and foreign tourists who come to explore Istanbul.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya announced that approximately 13.7 million people visited Hagia Sophia in 2022.
Built in 537 as the largest Christian church in the Eastern Roman Empire, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque in 1453, after the conquest of Istanbul.
The complex remained a mosque until 1935, when it was reopened as a museum. In July 2020, the State Council overturned the 1934 decision to establish the museum and Hagia Sophia was reclassified as a mosque again, sparking much discussion.
Photo (A Couple Walking inside Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul) by Lokman Sevim :
