Private Mehter Band Tour: Military Museum and Concert
An afternoon at the Military Museum in Harbiye, ending with the Ottoman Mehter band in concert.
Photo: Turkey Your Way
- Duration
- Half day (about 4 hours)
- Region
- Istanbul
- Walking
- Easy
- Starts
- Early afternoon
Best for Families · Returning visitors
Tour code IST-H20
The essence
A private Mehter band tour takes you to the Military Museum in Harbiye, in buildings that served as the War School in late Ottoman times. Your guide walks you through the halls, among some 5,000 objects on display. Then, from 3 to 4 pm, you watch the Mehter, the Ottoman military band, in concert.
Highlights
- The Mehter band in concert
- The Military Museum in Harbiye
- Some 5,000 objects on display
- A Krupp cannon from Gallipoli
- An afternoon planned around the concert
Program
-
Early afternoon
Pick-up at your hotel
Your driver collects you.
-
Afternoon
The museum on the Mehter band tour
The halls of the Military Museum with your guide.
Opening hours & dress code -
3 pm
The Mehter concert
The Ottoman military band, for an hour.
Opening hours & dress code -
Late afternoon
Back to your hotel
From the Mehter concert, the road leads back to your hotel.
In depth
The Mehter is the military band of the Ottomans, with great drums and horns. A private Mehter band tour takes you to hear it in Istanbul today, after an afternoon in the Military Museum.
The Museum on the Mehter Band Tour
Harbiye
First, your driver takes you to the Military Museum in Harbiye. The district takes its name from the War School that used these buildings in late Ottoman times.
The halls
Then your guide walks you through the halls. The museum holds about 55,000 objects, and some 5,000 of them are on display, such as a Krupp cannon of 1889 used at Gallipoli.
From our guides
Our suggestion At the Mehter concert, stand at the side of the hall to see the band march in.
The Concert on the Mehter Band Tour
3 pm
At 3 pm, you take your seat for the Mehter, the Ottoman military band. For an hour, the musicians march and play on the days the museum is open.
After the concert
From the Mehter concert, we drive you back to your hotel. For the morning, add our Dolmabahçe Palace tour.
Good to Know on the Mehter Band Tour
The Military Museum belongs to the Ministry of National Defense. Besides the halls, you also see a CF-104 jet and an OH-13 helicopter that the Turkish Army flew until 1991. The museum closes on Mondays, so we plan your afternoon on another day.
Would you like to hear the Mehter in Istanbul? The concert starts at 3 pm, so send us your date and we will plan the museum halls before it.
Before you go
-
- Open
- We time your visit to the museum and its Mehter concert
- Closed
- Mondays; January 1; the first days of Ramazan and Kurban Bayramı
- Entry
- Ticket required
-
Hours: your guide confirms them locally.
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the day, with pick-up from your hotel
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Entrance tickets, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“He answered all my questions, kept me updated and made sure everything went smoothly.”
From your guide
What to wear
Comfortable shoes for the museum halls.
Best time
Any season: the museum is indoors.
Photos
Stand at the side of the hall to see the band march in.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Early afternoon. We collect you at your hotel.
- Ends
- Your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Istanbul
- Walking
- Easy: museum halls.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs, and we plan the visit around them.
- Cancellation
- The museum closes on Mondays, on January 1 and on the first days of the two Eids. Visiting status can change; we confirm it before your date.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Mehter play on the Mehter band tour?
In the afternoon, on the days the museum is open. We check the time for your date and plan your afternoon around it.
Which days can we take the Mehter band tour?
Tuesday to Sunday. The museum closes on Mondays, on January 1 and on the first days of the two Eids.
Can we add Dolmabahçe Palace?
Yes, in the morning. See our Dolmabahçe Palace tour.
Is it good for children?
Yes. Children love the drums and the march.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
Half a day, about 4 hours. Since it is private, we plan the museum around the Mehter concert.
Do you pick us up at our hotel?
Yes. Your guide and driver collect you at your hotel in Istanbul and bring you back at the end of the tour.
What about lunch?
Meals are not included. Your guide can suggest a place nearby before or after the tour.
Which language does the guide speak?
The language you ask for. We find a licensed guide who speaks it.
