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Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
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Blue Mosque
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Topkapi Palace
Dolmabahce Palace
Topkapi Palace
Dolmabahce Palace
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Ottoman opulence: Get a taste of royalty and opulence as you pass through the famed Imperial Gate that the Ottoman Sultans used as the main entrance to Topkapi Palace.
Architectural masterpiece: With its rich architectural and cultural beauty, this UNESCO World Heritage site draws more than 3 million people every year.
Historical significance: Venture into the Imperial Treasury that houses prized possessions, the suits of armor of Sultan Mustafa III, and weaponry such as the famous Topkapi Dagger.
Intricate artworks: Marvel at miniature artworks that depict parts of religious texts, court scenes of various Sultans, and the very first map of the world that was made in 1513.
Royal residence: The Topkapi Palace harem was the center of the Sultan’s private life. With more than 400 rooms, it is a colossal structure in itself and deserves the admiration that it receives.
About Topkapi PalaceGo for: Guided tours with skip-the-line access
Guide: Expert English or Spanish-speaking guide, audio guide in 10 languages
Duration: 1 hr 30 mins or flexible, depending on the ticket
Recommended ticket:
Go for: Combo tickets
Guide: English-speaking guide, audio guides in multiple languages
Duration: Flexible
Recommended ticket:
Go for: Guided tours
Guide: English or Spanish-speaking guide, audio guides in multiple languages
Duration: 1 hr 30 mins or flexible, depending on the ticket
Recommended ticket:
Go for: Combo tickets
Guide: English-speaking guide, audio guides in multiple languages
Duration: Flexible
Recommended ticket:
Cancellation policy: 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.
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 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.
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.
Situated 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 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.
The palace kitchens of Topkapi Palace, 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 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.
You can reserve your tickets in advance by booking your Topkapi Palace tickets online. As the palace only permits a limited number of guests at a time and in slots, pre-booking your tickets ensures your entry. You can also plan your trip ahead of schedule, and the flexible cancellation policy allows you to get a full refund if your plans change.
Book Topkapi Palace TicketsTopkapi 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 HoursTopkapi Palace is located at Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
By Car: Take the Adnan Menderes Boulevard onto Turgut Özal Millet Cd and then on to Alemdar Cd to reach Topkapi palace.
By Train: The closest train station is Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu station which is a 15-minute walk from the palace.
By Tram: The closest tram stop is at Gülhane Istasyonu which is a 10-minute walk from Topkapi Palace.
By Bus: The closest bus stop is at Sarayburnu, which is an 18-minute walk from the palace.
How to get to Topkapi PalaceWheelchair 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 restaurants or eateries within the palace, there are places nearby where you can enjoy a delectable meal.
Roof Mezze 360: This rooftop restaurant offers traditional Turkish food with a global twist.
Turgut Kebab Restaurant: This dine-in and takeaway restaurant is the best place to go if you are craving kebabs.
Fish Home Ahhir Kapi Restaurant: If you love seafood, this is the restaurant that you must head to after your visit.
Şiva barbecue: This 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 CruisesA. Yes, tickets are available for Topkapi Palace. You can buy your Topkapi Palace tickets online.
A. You can book your Topkapi Palace tickets online.
A. Yes, you can enjoy reduced prices on Topkapi Palace tickets, including skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets.
A. Yes, Topkapi Palace is open for visits.
A. Yes, there are many guided tours available for Topkapi Palace.
A. Topkapi Palace is mostly wheelchair accessible with ramps available at most locations. There are also wheelchair accessible toilets available at the venue.