TCG Piri Reis (S-343) was originally commissioned as the USS Tang (SS-563) in 1951.
The Knox-class frigate TCG Ege was commissioned into the Turkish Navy in 1994 after serving in the US Navy as the USS Abert (FF-1050).
The submarine is designed to represent the conditions of 1950s naval undersea warfare.
The museum is strategically located in the İnciraltı district, historically known for its citrus orchards and coastal promenade.
Many of the original control panels and radar systems remain installed in their original configurations.
The İnciraltı Sea Museum, operated by the Turkish Naval Forces, provides public access to decommissioned naval vessels docked in the İzmir harbor. The facility features the TCG Ege (F-256), an ex-US Knox-class frigate, and the TCG Piri Reis (S-343), an ex-US Tang-class submarine. Visitors can tour the interior compartments of these ships to observe original instrumentation, torpedo tubes, and crew quarters. The museum serves as an educational site for maritime history and cold-war naval technology. It is situated along the İnciraltı waterfront, integrated with a local recreational park area. The deck of the frigate provides an elevated vantage point over the Gulf of İzmir.
From the pier looking back at the bow of the TCG Ege with the Gulf of İzmir in the background.
Wear comfortable, flat shoes with good grip to navigate steep, narrow ladders inside the submarine.
Bring a light jacket as the interior of the metal ships can be significantly cooler than the outside temperature.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the intense heat radiating from the steel decks in mid-summer.
Attempting to enter during high heat hours without water, as the metal interior gets extremely hot; do not bring large backpacks that prevent maneuvering through bulkhead doors.
Closed on Mondays.
Visitors must remain with their group in designated areas; avoid touching sensitive navigation equipment and avoid blocking narrow passages.
