Turkiye Tour - A Katalay Company

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

KTLY714362 · Istanbul
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide — photo 2
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide — photo 3
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide — photo 4 +8
Audio Guide
Turkish, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic

About this tour

This combined ticket gets you into three of Istanbul's landmarks with skip-the-line entry: Topkapi Palace, the former Ottoman royal residence with its Treasury and Sacred Relics rooms; Hagia Sophia, including its Upper Gallery; and the Basilica Cistern. A downloadable audio guide in several languages walks you through each site at your own pace, in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and more. Plan on roughly two to three hours for the palace alone, and wear comfortable shoes for the courtyards and stairs.

Audio Guide Languages

Turkish English German Spanish French Italian Russian Arabic

Highlights

  • Step inside the Harem, the private living quarters of the Sultan and his family
  • See the jewels, weapons, and Ottoman treasures on display in the Imperial Treasury
  • Walk the palace courtyards and gardens, with views out over the Bosphorus
  • View sacred relics of the Islamic world in the Holy Relics Chamber
  • Take in the Iznik tilework and Ottoman architecture across the palace grounds

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line entry to all sites
  • Basilica Cistern audio guide (download) in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish
  • Skip-the-line entry
  • Hagia Sophia entry, including the Upper Gallery
  • Hagia Sophia audio guide (download) in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
  • Skip-the-line entry
  • Topkapi Palace entry, including the Royal Apartments and Imperial Hall
  • Topkapi Palace Museum entry, including the Treasury and Sacred Relics Room
  • Topkapi Palace audio guide (download) in English, Arabic, French, German, and Spanish

Topkapi Palace: Hours, Dress Code & Good to Know

Topkapi Palace is open every day except Tuesdays. From April 1 to October 1 the gates are open 09:00 to 18:00, and from October 1 to April 1 they run 09:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the palace shuts for the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

There's no formal dress code, but if you're pairing the visit with nearby 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 make the walking easier.

Available Days / Times

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday
From
254.40€
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Important Information

  • Set aside two to three hours to cover the palace, Harem, and Treasury
  • Everyone passes through security screening, which can take up to 30 minutes in peak season even with a booked ticket
  • Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven stone paths, courtyards, and stairs
  • The Harem needs a separate ticket; it covers the sultans' private quarters
  • Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern are a short walk away, so a combo ticket saves time and money
  • No eating or drinking in the exhibition rooms
  • Photography allowed in the courtyards and most 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
  • Smoking is not allowed inside the palace buildings. 
  • Please follow the instructions of the museum staff and security personnel.

FAQs

What is Topkapi Palace?
It's a palace museum in Istanbul that was the main seat of government and home of the Ottoman sultans for centuries. Today it holds imperial courtyards, state rooms, and collections showing the ceremonial and private life of the Ottoman court.
Where is Topkapi Palace located?
It sits in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district, on a point of land above the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are both within walking distance.
Who built Topkapi Palace?
Sultan Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, built it in the 15th century soon after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Later sultans expanded it over the years.
How much time should I allocate for a visit to Topkapi Palace?
Plan on about two to three hours to see the main highlights.
What is the Topkapi Palace entrance fee?
It depends on the ticket type, whether standard admission, a guided tour, or a combo ticket with nearby sites, and prices shift by season. Check the Topkapi Palace tickets on this page for current options and pricing.
Where to buy Topkapi Palace tickets?
You can buy them online or at the door. Booking online through our site lets you compare standard entry, guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, combo tickets, and city passes to find the best deal.
Are guided tours available at Topkapi Palace?
Yes. Guided tours give you more depth on the palace's history, key sections, and imperial life. You can browse top-rated options and availability on our site.
Are tickets to Topkapi Palace available online?
Yes, and booking ahead secures your entry. Through our site you get verified tickets, different ticket types, and special deals.
Can I buy skip-the-line tickets for Topkapi Palace?
Yes. Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the ticket-purchase queues. We also offer combo tickets and city passes that bundle Topkapi Palace with nearby attractions to save you money.