Hagia Sophia Skip the Line Combo Ticket: Basilica Cistern + Topkapi Palace
+6
About this tour
One combo ticket covers three of Istanbul's biggest sights, with skip-the-line entry to each. Walk through Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years, and see the Imperial Treasury, the Harem, and courtyards looking out over the Bosphorus. Head underground into the Basilica Cistern to find its Medusa-head column bases among hundreds of pillars, then take in the domes and gold mosaics of Hagia Sophia. An audio guide is included, and all three sites sit within walking distance of one another.
Highlights
- Step inside the Harem, the private quarters of the Sultan and his family
- See jewels, weapons, and imperial artifacts in Topkapi's Treasury
- Wander the palace courtyards and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus
- View sacred Islamic relics in the Holy Relics Chamber
- Take in the Iznik tiles and Ottoman architecture across the palace
- Go underground into the Basilica Cistern, part of Istanbul's water system for centuries
- Find the famous Medusa-head column bases among hundreds of lit pillars
- Learn about the secrets of these subterranean structures as you navigate the underground site.
- Trace how Hagia Sophia was built and rebuilt under Byzantine and Ottoman rule
- See Hagia Sophia's vast dome and surviving gold mosaics up close
- Learn how Hagia Sophia served as cathedral, museum, and mosque
- Admire centuries of historical treasures within the walls of Topkapi Palace.
- Visit the palace that housed more than 25 Ottoman sultans
- Explore the treasury and galleries with an included audio guide
Included / Excluded
- Admission to all three sites
- Skip-the-line entry
- Audio guide
Topkapi Palace: Hours and What to Wear
Topkapi Palace is open every day except Tuesdays. From April 1st to October 1st it runs on summer hours, 09:00 to 18:00, and from October 1st to April 1st on winter hours, 09:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The palace also closes on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
There is no strict dress code, but since Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are right nearby, it is worth skipping anything too revealing so you can walk straight into those too. The complex is large and involves a lot of walking, so comfortable clothes and shoes make the visit easier.
Available Days / Times
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Important Information
- Set aside two to three hours to see the palace, including the Harem and Treasury
- Security screening is required for everyone and can take up to 30 minutes in high season, even with tickets
- Wear comfortable shoes; expect uneven stone paths, courtyards, and stairs
- Booking online in advance lets you skip the ticket-purchase lines, especially in peak months
- Check your ticket: the Harem needs a separate ticket and covers the sultans' private life
- A combo ticket saves time and money, since Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern are a short walk away
- An audio guide or guided tour helps make sense of the palace's history and collections
- No eating or drinking in the exhibition rooms
- Photography is fine outdoors and in many areas, but no flash, and none in the Treasury or Sacred Relics rooms
- Do not touch or climb on the exhibits
- No smoking inside the palace buildings
- Follow instructions from museum staff and security