Blue Mosque Guided Tour + Topkapi Palace & Harem Skip the Line Ticket
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About this tour
This combo pairs a 60-minute guided visit to the Blue Mosque with skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace and its Harem, the two landmarks that anchor Istanbul's old city. A live English-speaking guide walks you through the mosque, then you head into the palace on your own to see the imperial courtyards, the Treasury, and the Harem where the sultans lived. Both sites sit a short walk apart in Sultanahmet, so it all fits comfortably into part of a day.
Highlights
- Step inside the Harem, the private living quarters of the sultan and his family
- See jewels, arms, and imperial treasures in the palace Treasury
- Walk the palace courtyards and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus
- View sacred Islamic relics in the Holy Relics Chamber
- Take in the hand-painted Iznik tilework and Ottoman detailing across the complex
Included / Excluded
- 60-minute guided tour of the Blue Mosque
- English-speaking guide at the Blue Mosque
- Blue Mosque entry
- Skip-the-line tickets for Topkapi Palace and the Harem
Good to Know Before You Visit Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is open every day except Tuesdays. From April 1 to October 1 the hours are 09:00 to 18:00, and from October 1 to April 1 they shift to 09:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the palace stays closed on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
There is no strict dress code, but modest clothing is a good idea if you're also visiting Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque nearby. The complex is large and you'll be on your feet a lot, so comfortable clothes and shoes make the visit easier.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 09:45
- Tuesday
- Wednesday : 09:45
- Thursday : 09:45
- Friday
- Saturday : 09:45
- Sunday : 09:45
Important Information
- Set aside two to three hours to cover the palace, including the Harem and Treasury
- Everyone passes a security check, which can run up to 30 minutes in high season even with pre-booked tickets
- Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven stone paths, courtyards, and stairs
- Booking online ahead lets you skip the ticket-purchase lines, especially in peak months
- Confirm your ticket inclusions; the Harem needs a separate ticket and shows the sultans' private life
- A combo ticket saves time and money since Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern are a short walk away
- A guided tour or audio guide helps make sense of the palace's history, architecture, and collections
- No eating or drinking in the exhibition rooms
- Photos are fine in the courtyards and most areas, but no flash, and none at all in the Treasury or Sacred Relics rooms
- Do not touch or climb on the exhibits
- No smoking inside the palace buildings
- Follow the directions of museum staff and security