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Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Inclusions
Basilica Cistern
Topkapi Palace
Basilica Cistern
Topkapi Palace
Inclusions
Best for: Visitors with a packed itinerary looking to avoid long lines and independent travelers
Guide: Audio guide in 10 languages
Recommended tours:
Best for: First-time visitors looking to learn about Istanbul’s rich history, history buffs, and culture enthusiasts
Guide: English-speaking guide and audio guide app in around 7 to 10 languages
Recommended tours:
Best for: Travelers on a budget looking to cover multiple attractions in one package, families or groups with diverse interests, and those looking to stay in the city for a while
Guide: Expert English-speaking guide and audio app in over 10 languages
Recommended tours:
Cancellation policy: You can cancel any of these tickets up to 24 hours before the scheduled time and get a full refund.
Shortly after his conquest of Constantinople (the historical name for Istanbul) in 1453, Mehmed the Conqueror started building the first level of Topkapi Palace. He lived here until his death in 1481. Ottoman Sultans stayed at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul until the 19th century. After a huge fire devastated the royal kitchens in 1574, Sultan Selim II entrusted Mimar Sinan with restoring the damaged sections of the palace. Topkapi Palace remained an Ottoman stronghold throughout this period.
About Topkapi PalaceThe Topkapi Palace harem formed the residential quarters of the sultan’s family and was rigorously partitioned by gender. In the 16th century, Sultan Murat III had his apartments built here, eventually making it the sultan’s palace as well. The harem, like all the other structures of the palace, was constantly refurbished and expanded to meet growing demands. The outcome today is a complex plan with a variety of architectural influences.
Topkapi Place HaremThe royal arms and weapons were kept in the External Treasury. The artifacts in the collections, like other objects at the Topkapi Palace Museum, were either made by workshops on the Sultan’s orders, acquired at markets, received as presents from visiting diplomats, or accumulated from conquered people.
About Topkapi Palace MuseumSituated at the eastern end of the court, the Topkapi Palace Treasury includes priceless riches like silver, gold, emeralds, jades, rubies, pearls, and diamond-encrusted artifacts. The jewel-encrusted Sword of Süleyman the Magnificent and the remarkable Throne of Ahmed I, studded with mother-of-pearl and fashioned by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, builder of the Blue Mosque, are also worth seeing.
The Topkapi Palace kitchens, which currently house the imperial porcelain exhibit, were located in the second courtyard. The porcelain collection demonstrates the Ottoman Empire’s global reach, with items acquired from Europe, as well as China and Japan. Celadon from China was treasured as dinnerware because it was thought that if the food served in it was poisoned, it would change color.
The first courtyard, also known as the First Court, is the palace’s largest and sole public space. Throughout the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the imperial gates were open to anyone unarmed. The wide expanse of the courtyard was perfect for celebrations and parades, and it was probably the busiest of the palace's squares.
The Salutation Gate opens to the Second Court of Topkapi Palace. Known as the Divan Square, the Second Court used to be the administrative center. This area would only be open to the members of the court and other formal visitors. In the Domed Chamber, also known as Council Hall, members of the imperial council met many times a week to deliberate the empire's administrative concerns.
The Felicity Gate, with its canopied entrance, opens to the Third Court, or the innermost square of Topkapi Palace, which accommodated the Sultan’s private home and the internal imperial school. The sultan, his family, his staff, and the rare authorized guest were the only ones who could enter. Visitors to the Sultan were limited to the Audience Chamber and were required to conform to a strict protocol.
The third courtyard connects to the Fourth Court of Topkapi Palace. It is home to the Baghdad Pavilion, Circumcision Chamber, and Yerevan Pavilion, all of which are lavishly ornamented. The charming gilt-bronze Iftar Pergola, where sultans often broke their fasts if Ramadan occurred in the summertime, is one of the most distinctive features.
Topkapi Palace Opening Hours:
Note: The ticket office closes at 5.30 PM
Closed Dates: Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays, 1 May, the first day of Ramadan, and the first day of Sacrifice.
Topkapi Palace Opening HoursAddress: Topkapi Palace is located at Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
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Getting there:
Wheelchair Accessibility: Topkapi Palace is mostly accessible by wheelchair. The main entrance has ramps for easy access. Most of the doors have ramps to get over the marble door frames. All four courtyards can be accessed by wheelchair users. There are also wheelchair-accessible toilets in the palace.
Audio Guides: You can avail of audio guides at Topkapi Palace to explore it at your own pace. You may be charged extra for it if it isn’t already included in your ticket.
Toilets: There are toilets available throughout the palace.
Topkapi Palace Museum Shop
On the right side of the Topkapi Palace entrance, you will find the Museum Shop which sells merchandise and memorabilia. You can buy postcards, replica attire, and the likes of these from the museum shop.
Address: Museum Shop, Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
While there are no eateries within Topkapi Palace, there are many restaurants and cafes nearby where you can enjoy a delectable meal.
Roof Mezze 360: The rooftop Roof Mezze 360 restaurant offers traditional Turkish food with a global twist.
Turgut Kebab Restaurant: If you are craving kebabs, Turgut Kebab Restaurant, which offers both dine-in and takeaway services, is the best place to go.
Fish Home Ahhir Kapi Restaurant: If you love seafood, head to Fish Home Ahhir Kapi Restaurant after you visit Topkapi Palace.
Şiva barbecue: Şiva barbecue is the best place to go for all the barbecue fans visiting the Topkapi Palace.
Budget: Star Holiday Hotel, Sultanahmet Hotel Han, Meddusa Hotel
Mid-range: Zeynep Sultan Hotel, The Million Stone Hotel, Bon Design & Suite
Luxury: White House Hotel Istanbul, Agora Life Hotel, Vogue Hotel Supreme Istanbul
A Byzantine cathedral turned mosque, the Hagia Sophia is an iconic landmark soaked in rich history as a melting pot of a myriad of cultures.
Explore Hagia SophiaLocated right opposite Hagia Sophia and built to outrival it, the Blue Mosque is famously known for its blue tiles.
Explore Blue MosqueNestled right in the middle of Asia and Europe, the Bosphorus strait allows you to discover the beauty of Turkey from a completely different perspective.
Explore Bosphorus CruisesYes, book Topkapi Palace and Harem skip-the-line tickets to bypass long ticketing lines and directly access the palace interiors. The tickets also include a multilingual audio guide, available in over 10 languages for your convenience.
You don’t have to purchase separate tickets to enter the Topkapi Palace Harem Museum. All our Topkapi Palace tickets offer access to the Harem.
The Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets start from . If you want an expert guide to accompany you on your tour, opt for the guided tours starting from €59.
Yes, you can book Topkapi Palace and Harem guided tours for an in-depth experience. The tour includes an expert professional, who takes you through the inner rooms and courtyards, and educates you about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the palace.
When booking tickets to visit the Topkapi Palace, there are several combo options you can choose from. The Istanbul Super Combo offers exceptional value with skip-the-line access to multiple top attractions, including the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Harem Museum, and more. If you are looking to see Istanbul from a fresh perspective, opt for the Istanbul in-a-day combo ticket. It offers a walk-through around the Old Town sites and a scenic yacht cruise with lunch.
The 3-day Museum Pass allows you to explore many of the city’s iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. You can also top it up with a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and avail yourself of an English-speaking tour guide.
If you are planning to spend a week or more in Istanbul, choose the Istanbul Megapass. It offers ultimate flexibility and access to a range of attractions. Depending on your choice, you can visit 2, 4, or 9 attractions, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, and more. The pass even includes a 5-ride transportation card, making it easy for you to hop between attractions and cover more sights in a day.