Topkapi Palace & Harem Skip the Line Ticket with Audio Guide
+8
About this tour
Topkapi Palace was the seat of the Ottoman sultans for centuries, and this ticket gets you inside with skip-the-line entry and admission to the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan and his family. An audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish walks you through the imperial courtyards, the Treasury, and the Holy Relics Chamber at your own pace. Depending on the option you pick, you can add a guided tour, a Bosphorus cruise, and a Turkish dinner with live entertainment. Plan on two to three hours to see the main sections.
Audio Guide Languages
Turkish
English
German
Spanish
French
Italian
Highlights
- Step inside the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan and his family
- See the jewels, weapons, and imperial artifacts in the Treasury
- Walk the courtyards and gardens with views over the Bosphorus
- View the sacred Islamic relics in the Holy Relics Chamber
- Take in the Iznik tilework and Ottoman architecture across the complex
Included / Excluded
- Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
- Admission to the Harem Museum
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish
- 2-hour guided tour of Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern with entry tickets (depending on option)
- English-speaking guide (depending on option)
- 3-hour Bosphorus cruise (depending on option)
- 4-course Turkish dinner (depending on option)
- Live entertainment: Turkish folk dance, whirling dervishes, sword shows, and a DJ (depending on option)
- Unlimited soft drinks (depending on option)
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 run 09:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the palace is closed on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
There is no formal dress code, though it makes sense to skip overly revealing clothing if you also plan to visit Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque nearby. You will be on your feet a lot across the palace grounds, so comfortable clothes and shoes go a long way.
Available Days / Times
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Important Information
- Allow two to three hours to see the palace, including the Harem and Treasury
- Everyone passes through security screening, which can take 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 in advance lets you skip 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 you follow the palace's history, architecture, and collections
- No eating or drinking in the exhibition rooms
- Photography is allowed in outdoor courtyards and 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 the instructions of museum staff and security