TURKEY'S CULTURE ROUTES HOSTED 33 MILLION VISITORS IN 2025
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced that 33 million 129 thousand 106 people visited museums and archaeological sites throughout Turkey in 2025. Among the most visited cultural sites, Ephesus, Hierapolis, and Cappadocia stood out.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated in a statement made on his social media account that museums across Turkey continue to be strong cultural stops that connect the past with the present. Ersoy emphasized that the intense interest shown in museums and archaeological sites indicates that investments in cultural heritage and conservation-preservation policies have yielded results.
Minister Ersoy stated that museums are not just exhibition spaces, but have become centers for learning, discovery, and keeping common memory alive. He pointed out that the increase in visitor numbers is a concrete indicator that society's bond with culture has strengthened.
The most visited archaeological sites announced
According to the data shared by Minister Ersoy, in 2025, 33 million 129 thousand 106 people visited museums and archaeological sites. The points that hosted the most visitors were listed as follows:
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Ephesus Archaeological Site: 2 million 550 thousand 458 visitors
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Hierapolis (Pamukkale) Archaeological Site: 2 million 299 thousand 914 visitors
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Göreme Archaeological Site: 1 million 184 thousand 285 visitors
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Zelve–Paşabağlar Archaeological Site: 1 million 141 thousand 219 visitors
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Galata Tower: 951 thousand 338 visitors
“We left a lasting mark”
Minister Ersoy stated that the figures obtained are a strong reflection of the importance given to cultural heritage, and used the following expressions:
“Our museums, which play a strategic role in the 'Century of Turkey' vision, are places that preserve the past, give meaning to the present, and guide the future. With the steps we took in 2025, we left a lasting mark. We will continue on our path by further strengthening this approach. We will resolutely continue our work in line with the goals of protecting cultural heritage, increasing accessibility, and expanding quality visitor experience.”
