Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern Guided Tour with Tickets
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About this tour
This guided tour covers three of Istanbul's biggest landmarks in one day: Topkapi Palace, the Ottoman sultans' longtime home, plus Hagia Sophia and the underground Basilica Cistern nearby. Your ticket includes entry to all three sites, a licensed guide, and an audio headset so you can hear the commentary clearly. At the palace you'll walk the imperial courtyards, see the Treasury and the Holy Relics rooms, and take in the Bosphorus views. Plan on two to three hours at Topkapi alone.
Highlights
- Step inside the Harem, the sultan's private family quarters
- See the jewels, weapons, and artifacts of the Imperial Treasury
- Walk the courtyards and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus
- View sacred Islamic relics in the Holy Relics Chamber
- Take in the Iznik tilework and Ottoman architecture across the complex
Included / Excluded
- Entry tickets to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern
- Licensed guide
- Audio headset
Good to Know Before You Visit Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is open every day except Tuesdays. From April 1 through October 1 (summer), hours run from 09:00 to 18:00; from October 1 through April 1 (winter), from 09:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The palace is also closed on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
There is no strict dress code, but if you're pairing the palace with Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, it's smart to skip anything too revealing. The complex covers a lot of ground, so comfortable clothes and shoes go a long way.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 09:00
- Tuesday
- Wednesday : 09:00
- Thursday : 09:00
- Friday : 09:00
- Saturday : 09:00
- Sunday : 09:00
Important Information
- Allow two to three hours for the palace, including the Harem and Treasury
- Everyone passes through security screening, up to 30 minutes in high season even with pre-booked tickets
- Wear comfortable shoes; expect uneven stone paths, courtyards, and stairs
- Booking online ahead skips the ticket-purchase lines, especially in peak months
- Check your 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 within walking distance
- 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
- Photography is fine in courtyards and many areas, but no flash, and none in the Imperial 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