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Topkapi Palace Guided Tours | Explore the rich history of the Ottoman palace with an expert guide
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Book your Topkapi Palace guided tours tickets
Why take a Topkapi Palace guided tour?
- A Topkapi Palace guided tour is a great way to learn about a significant part of Istanbul’s Ottoman history.
- Learn about some hidden secrets of Topkapi Palace’s history that you won’t find elsewhere.
- An expert guide will point out things you might not have noticed if you went independently, and also share interesting insights and details.
- If you opt for a tour with an audio guide, you will learn in-depth about the intriguing history of the palace.
- In addition to seeing all of the main attractions, you’ll also be able to visit areas that aren’t on display for tourists in the main palace—including the harem quarters and private living quarters of the Sultans.
- Get priority skip-the-line access along with your guided tour tickets.
Which Topkapi Palace guided tour is best for you?
Skip-the-line guided tours
Suited for: Travellers who have limited time
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Ticket price: from €42
Why go for it?
- With skip-the-line tickets, you can bypass queues and get direct entry to Topkapi Palace, which means you’ll have more time to explore it.
- You will learn all about the history, significance, and artifacts of Topkapi Palace from the expert guide accompanying you, enriching your experience.
- You can visit all the important landmarks inside the palace complex and enjoy a comprehensive experience.
Recommended tour:
Special access tours
Suited for: History enthusiasts
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Ticket price: from €67
Why go for it?
- Gain exclusive access to the Topkapi Palace harem, which was the residential quarters of the Ottoman Sultans, their wives, concubines, and children.
- Your expert guide will share fascinating stories and insights about this magnificent section of the palace, which has some of the most ornate architecture and design in the palace complex.
Recommended tour:
Combo tours
Suited for: Travellers on a budget
Duration: 3 hours or more
Ticket price: from €59.9
Why go for it?
- Combo tours are a great way to experience Istanbul’s rich history and vibrant culture. Apart from Topkapi Palace, you also get to explore other top attractions like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Dolmabahce Palace.
- Combo tours are cost-effective as the tickets are more economical than purchasing separate tickets for each landmark, allowing you to make the most of your visit to Istanbul.
Recommended tours:
3-day guided tour
Suited for: Exploration of multiple top attractions
Duration: 72 hours
Ticket price: from €35
Why go for it?
- With these tours, you can gain hassle-free access to Istanbul’s top attractions, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Dolmabahce Palace, allowing you to save both time and money.
- These tours allow you to spread your visits over three days, allowing you to explore the sights at a leisurely pace and soak in the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
Recommended tours:
Highlights covered on Topkapi Palace guided tours
Harem
This is where the sultan's wives and concubines lived with their children and eunuchs. The eunuchs were responsible for the safety of the women and children. Visitors can see some of the rooms where they slept and ate; it has been turned into a museum displaying clothes and other objects from this period in Turkish history.
The Imperial Treasury
The Treasury contains many valuable items. Apart from jewelry and other gold ornaments, the treasury also has weapons and armor. These included things like swords made from Damascus steel given to foreign dignitaries when they visited Istanbul; robes made out of silk from China; and many other items from around the world that were given as gifts to Sultans.
Audience Chamber
The Audience Chamber is one of the most beautiful rooms in Topkapi Palace, and also one of the largest. The Audience Chamber is an interesting mix of traditional Turkish design and Western influences. Sultans used this room to meet foreign ambassadors, military leaders, governors, and other significant people worldwide. It also held ceremonies such as coronations and marriages.
The Eunuch's Quarters
The Eunuchs' Quarters are located just outside the Harem. From here, they could keep an eye on the Harem at all times. The Ottoman sultans used to keep hundreds of eunuchs in their service. They were responsible for guarding the harem against unauthorized visits from the outside world.
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Gate of Felicity
The Gate of Felicity was built in the 15th century and later decorated in the rococo style in 1774. The gate is gilded with gold leaf, and its ceiling features an ornamental ball suspended in the center. This gate also functions at the entrance to the Third Courtyard of Topkapi Palace—the Inner Court where private and residential areas are located.
Library of Ahmed III
The Neo-classical Enderûn Library, also known as the Library of Sultan Ahmed III, is a kiosk in the Third Courtyard. Built by the royal architect Mimar Beşir Ağa on orders of Ahmed III in 1719, this library once contained books on Islamic religion, law and other works of scholarship in various languages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Topkapi Palace guided tours
Q. Can I book a Topkapi Palace guided tour?
A. Yes, you can book a Topkapi Palace guided tours ticket online.
Q. How can I book a Topkapi Palace guided tour?
A. You can simply purchase a Topkapi Palace guided tours ticket online here.
Q. How much does a Topkapi Palace guided tour cost?
A. The starting price of Topkapi Palace guided tours is €38.
Q. What are the different types of Topkapi Palace guided tours?
A. You can choose from a variety of Topkapi Palace guided tour options depending on what works best for you. You can pick the guided tour of your choice online here.
Q. What is included in Topkapi Palace guided tours?
A. Your Topkapi Palace guided tours tickets include an expert English-speaking guide and the entrance fees.
Q. In what languages are the guided tours available?
A. Visitors can avail audio guides in English, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese.
Q. What does the Topkapi Palace guided tour cover?
A. With a Topkapi Palace guided tour, you can explore all the courtyards, discover Ottoman weapons and ornaments, visit the Sultan’s Harem, and discover some hidden secrets of Ottoman history.
Q. Is a Topkapi Palace guided tour worth it?
A. Absolutely! A Topkapi Palace guided tour always includes an expert guide who can give you a complete lowdown of the history of the palace along with some hidden elements that you may be unable to discover on your own.
Q. Do the Topkapi Palace guided tours include skip-the-line access?
A. Yes, all your Topkapi Palace guided tour tickets include skip-the-line access.
Q. Can I cancel a booked Topkapi Palace guided tour?
A. Yes, you can get a full refund on cancellation up to 24h before the schedule.
Q. How long is the guided tour?
A. The Topkapi Palace guided tour is one hour and fifteen minutes long.
Q. Are there discounted tickets for guided tours?
A. You can always get great discounts on Topkapi Palace guided tours online. Book them here.
