Topkapi Palace Opening Hours & Best Visiting Times

Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace, Museum, Harem, and Hagia Irene are open from 9 am to 6 pm throughout the year.

Apr 1 TO Oct 1 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Oct 1)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–18:00	17:00
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday (Today)	09:00–18:00	17:00
Thursday	09:00–18:00	17:00
Friday	09:00–18:00	17:00
Saturday	09:00–18:00	17:00
Sunday	09:00–18:00	17:00

Oct 2 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Oct 2 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Thursday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Friday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Saturday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Sunday	09:00–16:45	15:45

Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Thursday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Friday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Saturday	09:00–16:45	15:45
Sunday	09:00–16:45	15:45

The last admission to the Topkapi Palace is 5:30 pm, around 30 minutes before closing hours.
The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, the first of May, the first day of Ramadan, and the first day of Sacrifice Feast.

Topkapi Palace Harem

Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31)	TIMINGS	Last Admission
Monday	09:00–18:00	17:30
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday (Today)	09:00–18:00	17:30
Thursday	09:00–18:00	17:30
Friday	09:00–18:00	17:30
Saturday	09:00–18:00	17:30
Sunday	09:00–18:00	17:30

Best time to visit the Topkapi Palace

Weekday vs Weekend

Weekdays see fewer tourists, as compared to weekends. The palace is closed on Tuesdays, so you may find a surge of tourists on Wednesdays. Even if you find the palace sections to be packed during the day, they start to thin out after noon.
The Topkapi Palace is particularly crowded on weekends and public holidays. If you are planning a visit during the summer holidays, arrive as early as possible in the morning so that you can avoid the group tour rush around 10 am. Try to reach the harem section by noon, for it is quieter in the afternoons and you can explore the areas in a comparatively less crowded space.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Pleasant

Crowded

Very Crowded

Closed

Peak season vs low season

Peak season (June to August): The summer holidays attract the largest number of tourists in Istanbul. You may see a surge in flights and accommodation prices. Invest in skip-the-line tickets to minimize wait times.
Shoulder season (March to May, September to October): Although April and May are slightly rainy, the weather is largely pleasant around this time, making them perfect for outdoor exploration. There are comparatively fewer tourists as compared to the summer months.
Low season (November to February): While these months offer the fewest crowds and more budget-friendly options, be prepared for the cold weather. Some palace sections might have shorter operating hours during these months.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Off Season

Moderate Season

Peak Season

How long does it take to tour Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace covers an area of about 700,000 square metres and is a vast complex. You may have to walk long distances within its walls to view the courtyards, library, pavilions, gardens, Topkapi Palace Museum, Palace Harem, and other buildings and structures. We recommend keeping aside at least 2 to 3 hours to be able to cover the entire monument and make the most of your visit.

Inside Topkapi Palace

Frequently asked questions about Topkapi Palace opening hours

What are the Topkapi Palace opening hours?

The Topkapi Palace is open from 9 am to 6 pm throughout the year. However, please note that you cannot enter the premises after 5:30 pm.

What is the Topkapi Palace closing time?

The Topkapi Palace closes at 6 pm. You can enter the palace only until 5:30 pm.

How long does it take to visit Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace is quite a large monument with many elements to cover. We suggest that you spend at least 2 to 3 hours exploring the palace to make the most of your visit.

What is the best time to visit Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace is quite crowded from late mornings to early afternoons, as well as on the weekends. To avoid crowds, we recommend visiting early morning on weekdays or in the late afternoons after 3 PM. The best months to visit are from March to May and September to November.

When is Topkapi Palace closed?

Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. Apart from that, it is also closed for visits on 1st May, 1st day of Ramadan and the 1st day of the Feast of Sacrifice.

Is Topkapi Palace open on weekends?

Yes, Topkapi Palace is open on the weekends.

Is Topkapi Palace open at night?

The Topkapi Palace closes around 4:45 pm to 6 pm every evening, depending on the season.