Topkapi Palace

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Topkapi Palace: Tours & Tickets

See all tours & things to do in Topkapi Palace

An insider's guide to Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace's history is vibrant. The building served as the residential, administrative, educational and cultural building of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 of their 624 reigning years. Today it doubles as the Topkapi Palace museum.

  • While You Buy Your Tickets…

    1. While You Buy Your Tickets…

    Be sure to notice the Fountain of the Executioner next to the ticket windows before you head in. This is where the executioner would wash his hand and sword after a decapitation.

  • Visit the Topkapi Palace harem

    2. Visit the Topkapi Palace harem

    This impressive building of hundreds of rooms where the sultan and his family lived has been restored in lush ornate fashion. It’s a separate ticket, but definitely worth it.

  • Topkapi Palace Jewels

    3. Topkapi Palace Jewels

    The Topkapi Palace diamond is the pride of the palace. The riches in the Treasury are not purely aesthetics, they make up the complex Topkapi Palace history.

  • Topkapi Palace Relics

    4. Topkapi Palace Relics

    Relics from the Prophet Mohammed and Moses, among others, are collectively called the Sacred Trusts.

  • How long to spend

    5. How long to spend

    You’ll need at least half a day to explore the palace, but make a whole day out of it to really take it all in. Try to arrive at opening to avoid the crowds!

Planning Your Visit

  • Obey the Dress Code

    You’ll get denied entrance to the Sacred Relics Department if you’re showing some skin. No shorts, short skirts or sleeveless shirts are permitted. It is the holiest section of Topkapi Palace, Turkey.

  • Orient yourself

    Along with the harem section, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul houses four courtyards or “avlu.” Shade or eateries for resting aren’t too hard to find. There’s a café and a restaurant in the first courtyard, a second café in the third courtyard, and a second restaurant in the fourth.

Good to know

  • When should I visit?
    Open Wednesday through Monday. October 26 - April 15, 9:00AM to 4:45PM. April 15 - October 26, 9:00AM to 6:45PM.
  • Is it expensive?
    Museum tickets start at 30TL (about $11), Harem tickets start at 15TL (about $5) and continue up with perks and tours.
  • Will I need a guide?
    A guide will definitely add to the experience! Audio guides are also available for rent at the palace.
  • How to get there
    Take the tram to the Gülhane or Sultanahmet stations, or the Marmaray to the Sirkeci Station. It's a short walk from any station.
  • Additional information

    • Cloths can be provided by onsite staff if you need to cover up during your visit to the Sacred Relics Department.

    • Stroller and photography are not permitted inside, so please plan ahead.

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What people are saying about Topkapi Palace

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,820 reviews

We had the best experience ever with Yasin! He did a phenomenal job showing us all of Istanbul & giving us history lessons on all the areas we went too. We also got to skip the long lines for tickets which saved us so much time! He also took us to a incredible restaurant with authentic Turkish cussine! I highly recommend this for anyone trying to see Istanbul in one day!!

Highlights of Istanbul: 1 or 2-Day Private Guided Tour Reviewed by Gadeer, 8/20/2021

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Ayla hat uns pünktlich vom Hotel abgeholt und wir erlebten mit ihr den absolut schönsten Tag in Istanbul!! Sie hat ein unheimlich großes Wissen und kann dieses super interessant vermitteln. Wir können die Tour nur wärmstens weiterempfehlen! Vielen lieben Dank an Ayla!

Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Highlights Tour Reviewed by Felix, 8/16/2021

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Mehmet was wonderful! Although it was a walking tour there was lots of time to sit down and relax at each site. Would definitely recommend to others.

Best of Istanbul in 1 Day Reviewed by , 8/20/2021

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From the beginning to the end, it was the best organised city tour that we had. Thank you very much for the great service!

Best of Istanbul in 1 Day Reviewed by Özgür, 8/30/2021

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A must-see experience! You could spend a day at the palace so don’t plan too much else on the day you visit.

Topkapi Palace and Harem: Guided Tour with Admission Ticket Reviewed by Siva, 8/22/2021

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