Çeşme Museum is an archaeology museum inside Çeşme Castle in Çeşme, İzmir. Its collections include finds from nearby archaeological sites as well as displays about the castle and the 1770 naval battle.
- Location: Musalla Mahallesi, 1001 Sokak, No. 1, Çeşme, İzmir.
- Setting: Inside Çeşme Castle, whose history reaches back to the 15th century.
- Typical hours: Open daily
- Admission: The Turkish Museums listing gives adult prices of 200 TL for Turkish citizens and €6 for non-Turkish citizens.
Where is Çeşme Museum?
Çeşme Museum is at Musalla Mahallesi, 1001 Sokak, No. 1, inside Çeşme Castle. The castle stands in Çeşme, İzmir; the museum’s coordinates are 38.32361° N, 26.30306° E.
The castle has traces of construction by Genoese builders in the 15th century. It was enlarged and repaired in 1508–1509 during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, remained in use until the 19th century, and was later abandoned.
It opened to visitors as a weapons museum in 1965, displaying weapons brought from Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace Museum, then became the Çeşme Archaeology Museum in 1984.
From the museum, the ancient city of Erythrai at Ildırı is 22 km away, according to the museum’s official page. If you’re planning a broader visit, the Çeşme town, castle and harbour guide covers other parts of the town.
What can you see at Çeşme Museum?
Çeşme Museum displays archaeological finds from Bağlararası in central Çeşme and from excavations at the ancient city of Erythrai. Its collections include handmade pottery from Bağlararası, and sculptures, figurines and coins from Erythrai.
Other objects include lamps, glass vessels, amphorae, cannons, cannonballs, architectural fragments and Islamic gravestones. A hall displays amphorae recovered from the sea, while an exhibition focuses on the 1770 Ottoman–Russian naval battle.
The battle exhibition occupies the lower floor of Umur Bey Tower. Upstairs, marble and stone works include sculptures, steles and Ottoman inscriptions. The museum’s range of finds makes it possible to connect local archaeology with the castle’s later military history during one visit.
What are Çeşme Museum’s hours, tickets and access details?
Çeşme Museum’s hours and admission vary by season and visitor category, so check the official site before you go. The Turkish Museums listing gives opening hours of 08:30–21:00 from 1 April through 30 September, and 08:30–17:30 from 1 October through 1 April. The ticket office closes at 20:30 in the longer-hours period and 17:00 in the shorter-hours period.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8:30–18:30
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The Turkish Museums listing gives adult admission as 200 TL for Turkish citizens and €6 for non-Turkish citizens. It gives free entry to Turkish citizens aged 8–18 and 65 and above, as well as Turkish university students studying art history, archaeology or museum departments.
Children aged 0–18 who are Turkish citizens and children aged 0–8 who are non-Turkish citizens enter free; non-Turkish visitors aged 8–18 pay €6. Müzekart is valid for Turkish citizens, and MuseumPass is also valid for Turkish citizens.
Opening days are reported as every day or every day except Monday. The museum has a restroom, café and shop. You can contact the museum at +90 232 712 66 09 or cesmemuzesi@kultur.gov.tr.
How can you combine the museum with a visit to Çeşme?
Çeşme Museum sits inside the castle, so you can pair the collections with time around the harbour and the rest of Çeşme. For a longer day that includes nearby Alaçatı, the Alaçatı one-day itinerary offers another way to plan your time in the area.
Municipal transport includes a Çeşme–Ilıca–Alaçatı minibus route, ESHOT route 760 between Çeşme and Urla, and Çeşme Seyahat service between Çeşme and İzmir. If you’re driving, Çeşme Marina Otopark and Çeşme Sahil Otopark are municipal parking facilities. Parking is free for the first 0–15 minutes, and payment is accepted only by credit or debit card.
Alaçatı is the place to look for Sade Alacati rooms when arranging an outing to Çeşme Museum.
FAQs
Is Çeşme Museum inside Çeşme Castle?
Yes. The archaeology museum is housed inside the castle in Çeşme, İzmir.
What are the museum’s main archaeological collections?
Highlights include finds from Bağlararası and Erythrai, including handmade pottery, sculptures, figurines and coins.
Can you visit the museum every day?
Opening days are reported as every day or every day except Monday. Check the museum’s site before visiting.
Is there parking near the museum?
Çeşme Marina Otopark and Çeşme Sahil Otopark are municipal parking facilities.