The “Being a Tourist in Istanbul” cartoon exhibition, prepared as part of the 16th International Tourism Cartoon Competition, opened at the Islands Museum on Büyükada on Saturday, 5 September 2026. Exploring Istanbul’s tourism experience through the language of humour and cartoon art, the exhibition brings together original interpretations of the city by cartoonists from different countries.

Organised as part of the 16th International Tourism Cartoon Competition, the “Being a Tourist in Istanbul” themed cartoon exhibition welcomed art lovers at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at the Islands Museum on Büyükada, in cooperation with the Islands Museum.

Focusing on Istanbul through tourists’ experiences, observations and interactions with the city, the exhibition presents a wide range of themes—from the city’s historical and cultural heritage to everyday life, transportation and gastronomy—through the humorous and critical perspectives of cartoon artists.

Istanbul Reflected in Cartoons Through the Eyes of Tourists

This year’s exhibition theme, “Being a Tourist in Istanbul,” aims to explore Istanbul, one of the world’s leading tourism cities, from the perspective of visitor experience.

The works featured in the exhibition address Istanbul’s iconic landmarks, historical sites, street life, transportation experiences, gastronomic culture and the different situations tourists encounter while visiting the city.

Some of the cartoons highlight Istanbul’s unique position connecting Asia and Europe, while others focus on the city’s historical and cultural richness or on the relationship visitors establish with everyday life in Istanbul.

In this respect, the exhibition offers an opportunity to view Istanbul not only through its tourist attractions, but also through the impressions it leaves on visitors and the different dimensions of urban life.

Tourism and Cartoon Art Meet on the Same Platform

Approaching tourism through the universal, critical and thought-provoking expressive power of cartoon art, the International Tourism Cartoon Competition has brought together artists from different countries around various dimensions of tourism for the past 18 years.

The competition provides a platform for humorous interpretations of a wide range of issues, including tourist-destination relations, travel experiences, the social and cultural impacts of tourism, environmental concerns and current developments in the tourism sector.

Having developed into an international platform over the years, the competition aims to draw attention to different issues, experiences and transformations in tourism by making use of the expressive power of cartoon art.

A Different Reading of Istanbul on Büyükada

The exhibition at the Islands Museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore Istanbul tourism beyond conventional narratives, through the critical and entertaining language of cartoon art.

Set within the historical and cultural atmosphere of Büyükada, the exhibition presents art lovers with different perspectives on how Istanbul is seen and experienced by tourists.

The “Being a Tourist in Istanbul” cartoon exhibition will remain open to visitors at the Islands Museum until the end of September.

Event Information

Exhibition: “Being a Tourist in Istanbul”
Event: 16th International Tourism Cartoon Competition
Opening Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Islands Museum, Aya Nikola Area, Büyükada, Istanbul
Exhibition Period: Open until the end of September 2026