Nestled in a quiet corner of Kadıköy’s Göztepe district, İstanbul Toy Museum is one of the city’s most heartwarming cultural stops. Founded by Turkish poet and writer Sunay Akın in 2005, this unique museum houses thousands of toys from different eras and countries, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the history of play.

Spread across a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, the museum features over 4,000 toys collected from all over the world—from tin soldiers and porcelain dolls to miniature trains and space rockets. Each floor reveals a different era of imagination: the ground floor showcases antique toys dating back to the 1700s, while upper levels display toys from the 20th century, including iconic pieces inspired by popular culture, science, and cinema.

One of the museum’s most charming touches is its imaginative interior design, where each room is themed like a dream world. Visitors wander through colorful displays lit by soft, warm lights, creating the feeling of stepping inside a storybook. For adults, it’s a touching return to childhood memories; for children, it’s a window into how play and creativity have evolved over time.

The İstanbul Toy Museum also organizes children’s workshops, puppet shows, and storytelling sessions on weekends, making it an interactive experience for families. There’s also a lovely café and museum shop offering unique toys and souvenirs, perfect for those who want to take home a piece of nostalgia.

This museum is not only a must-see for families but also a place where art, memory, and history meet. As Sunay Akın describes it, “every toy here is a poem written with colors instead of words.”

General Admission:  420 (adults)

Discounted Admission: 360 TL (children 3 years and up, students)

Free Admission: Disabled citizens, children under 3 years old, ICOM card members, MMKD members, tour guides with a licence and press members. If you’d like to visit the museum as a group of 10 people or more, or if you’d like to join the workshops, events or education activities, you must make a reservation by phone.

How to Get There

The museum is located on Ömerpaşa Street No.17, Göztepe, Kadıköy.
It’s easily accessible from both the European and Asian sides:

• From Kadıköy Pier, take a short taxi or the bus line 10B or 14Ş.

• From Üsküdar, take Marmaray to Göztepe Station, then a 10-minute walk.

• Visitors coming from Taksim or Sultanahmet can take the Marmaray at Sirkeci and get off at Göztepe.

For public transportation, you can take the buses 10B, 10S, 14Ç, 17, 17L, 19F, 19M, 19S from Kadıköy and to “Göztepe” station, or GZ1, GZ2 from Kadıköy to “Tütüncü Mehmet Efendi Camii” station, or ER1, ER2 from Kadıköy to “Erenköy İstasyonu” Station, and then it will take around 10 minutes to walk to the museum from the bus stops.

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays are ideal if you prefer a quieter visit, as weekends can be lively with children’s events. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for combining your visit with a stroll through Göztepe Park, just a short walk away.

Nearby Attractions

If you’re exploring the Asian side of İstanbul, you can easily combine your museum visit with other family-friendly or cultural stops nearby:

• [Göztepe Park]– a beautiful green escape perfect for families.

• [Barış Manço House Museum] – a musical and nostalgic experience for all ages.

• [Moda Seaside Promenade] – for a scenic walk and sunset cafés.

• [Kadıköy Market] – ideal for street food, books, and local life.