Antalya Necropolis Museum, opened in 2023 on Tiyatro Street over the burial ground of Attaleia Ancient City, is Turkey's first necropolis museum; it preserves and exhibits approximately 1,000 tombs in situ.
Located in the heart of Antalya, in the historic East Garage and Public Market area, the Necropolis Museum is the first of its kind in Turkey. Opened to visitors in 2023, the museum was built on the East Necropolis area belonging to the ancient city of Attaleia. During rescue excavations, 866 tombs were unearthed; instead of being moved, these tombs were preserved in situ and transformed into a museum, thanks to the initiative of the then-Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Menderes Türel. Today, the museum takes visitors 2,300 years back in time with nearly 1,000 different types of tombs.
The lower floor of the museum houses the actual necropolis area; it is possible to examine the tombs up close along the walkways. On the upper floor, there are exhibition halls consisting of three sections. These halls display not only artifacts unearthed from the necropolis area but also over 400 archaeological finds brought from the Antalya Museum. The mosaic depicting Young Eurymedon, symbolizing the Eurymedon River in its center, located on Tiyatro Street, is among the most talked-about pieces in the museum.
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Guide's Note
Antalya Necropolis Museum is a small-scale museum built on an ancient burial ground, within walking distance of Kaleiçi. The findings unearthed during construction work in 2008 are exhibited in three enclosed halls; a section of the area functions as an open-air museum that can be explored by walking on glass platforms. Entry is possible with a Museum Card, and the ticket price is considered reasonable by the vast majority of visitors. Being open until 8:00 PM in the summer months also offers an added convenience.
Visitors generally appreciate the historical depth and exhibition design offered by the museum. The kindness and helpfulness of the staff are also frequently mentioned as a plus. However, the museum offers a more meaningful experience to visitors who already have an interest in archaeology or history; if you are not interested in these areas, you may not need to go out of your way to visit.
On the other hand, multiple visitors mention serious shortcomings. The most frequently raised issue is the lack of Turkish or English explanations, translations, or guide booklets next to the exhibited artifacts and inscriptions. Some visitors state that they had to resort to artificial intelligence tools to understand the inscriptions. In addition, concerns about the museum shop being closed intermittently, inadequate cleaning standards, and pigeons getting caught in the wire mesh within the structure and dying are also mentioned in multiple comments.
- Lack of explanation: There are no Turkish or English information panels, translations, or guide booklets for the artifacts and inscriptions.
- Cleanliness: More than one visitor emphasizes that the museum's cleanliness is inadequate.
- Museum shop: The shop is reported to be closed at irregular hours.
- Animal safety: Complaints about pigeons getting caught in the wire mesh used in the architecture and being harmed are repeated in several comments.
About the Museum: A First in Turkey
Antalya Necropolis Museum is the first example in Turkey where a necropolis area has been preserved in situ and converted into a museum. The project's foundation is based on rescue excavations carried out in the city center. When construction began in the area known as Doğu Garajı and Halk Pazarı, archaeologists encountered a large burial ground belonging to the ancient city of Attaleia. 866 tombs were unearthed during the excavations; it was decided that these tombs would be exhibited in situ instead of being moved.
The museum building reflects this approach: the tomb area is on the lower floor, and exhibition halls are on the upper floor. Visitors can examine ancient burial traditions, tomb types, and finds up close by walking along the pathways right next to the tombs. In addition to artifacts unearthed from the necropolis area, the exhibition halls also feature over 400 pieces selected from the Antalya Museum collection.
When Should You Visit?
Although Antalya's summer heat can be tiring in open areas, the Necropolis Museum is an indoor venue and can be visited year-round. The museum can also get crowded in July and August. During these periods, visiting early in the morning, right at opening, provides a much calmer experience.
April–May and September–October are the most balanced periods in terms of both weather and crowds. For those who want to avoid busy weekday mornings with school groups, weekend afternoons can also be a good choice.
How to Get There?
The museum is located on Tiyatro Street in Antalya city center. It is possible to reach it by walking from Kaleiçi or Cumhuriyet Street. For those using the AntRay tram line, the closest stop is Müze/Konyaaltı; from there, you can reach the museum with a short walk. For those arriving by taxi or car, there are paid parking options nearby. We recommend setting off early on hot summer days in Antalya, considering the walking distance.
Photo Spots
One of the museum's most striking photo spots is the glass passages and walkways leading to the necropolis area on the lower floor. Angles from which the tombs are photographed from above or the sides offer the opportunity to capture ancient times and the present in the same frame. The Young Eurymedon mosaic in the exhibition halls is a particularly striking subject for detailed and wide-angle photos. The museum's exterior architecture also creates an interesting frame with its unique design. Remember that flash use may be restricted; it is advisable to ask the staff about this before entering the museum.
What to Eat Nearby?
Since the museum is located close to Antalya's bustling city center, there are many food and drink options in the vicinity. Small restaurants in the narrow streets of Kaleiçi are good addresses offering local flavors of Antalya cuisine. Piyaz (bean salad with olive oil), shish meatballs, and fresh seafood are among the prominent delicacies of the region. After visiting the museum, you can take a short walk to Kaleiçi to explore the historical texture and have lunch in this district.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Since the museum opened in 2023, it is a relatively new institution; opening hours and entrance fees may be updated from time to time. We recommend obtaining current information from the official museum page of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism or the museum's contact line before planning your visit. It would also be beneficial to confirm the validity of the Museum Card in advance.
The necropolis area on the lower floor is explored via walkways; comfortable shoes will make the visit easier. Getting information from the museum staff about photography will prevent possible surprises. Be careful not to touch the artifacts in the exhibition halls.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
An average visit duration of 1.5 to 2.5 hours is sufficient for the Necropolis Museum. For those who want to explore the tomb area on the lower floor slowly and read the information panels in each section, this period can extend up to 3 hours. The museum is of a size that can easily be combined with other historical sites in Antalya on the same day. You can create a full cultural tour by combining it with Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, and the Antalya Archaeology Museum.
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