Topkapi Palace Istanbul Guided Tour with Entry Ticket
+1
About this tour
Spend a couple of hours walking through Topkapi Palace, the seat of Ottoman power in Istanbul from 1478 to 1856, with a guide and your entry ticket included. You'll see the Imperial Treasury and its 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond, the Harem where the sultan and his family lived, the Holy Relics Chamber, and courtyards that look out over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Iznik tilework and Ottoman detailing run through the whole complex, and your guide fills in the history behind each room.
Highlights
- Walk through the Harem, the private living quarters of the sultan and his family
- See the jewels, weapons, and artifacts of the Imperial Treasury, including the 86-carat pear-shaped Spoonmaker's Diamond
- Relax in the palace courtyards and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn
- View sacred Islamic relics in the Holy Relics Chamber
- Take in the Iznik tilework and Ottoman architecture across the complex
- Tour the residence of the Ottoman sultans from 1478 to 1856
- Appreciate the view of the Golden Horn Bay from the Palace gardens.
- Admire the Spoonmaker's Diamond, an 86 carat pear-shaped diamond in the Treasury.
Included / Excluded
- Entry ticket
- Guide
Good to Know Before Your Topkapi Palace Visit
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 are 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, but keep in mind that Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are right nearby, so it's worth avoiding overly revealing clothing if you plan to stop in. The complex covers a lot of ground, so comfortable clothes and shoes make the visit easier.
Available Days / Times
- Monday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Tuesday
- Wednesday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Thursday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Friday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Saturday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Sunday : 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
Important Information
- Allow two to three hours to see the whole palace, including the Harem and Treasury
- Everyone passes a security screening, which can take up to 30 minutes in high season even with pre-booked tickets
- Wear comfortable shoes; the paths, courtyards, and stairs are uneven stone
- Booking online ahead of time lets you skip the ticket-purchase queues, especially in peak months
- Check your ticket: the Harem needs a separate ticket and shows the private life of the sultans
- 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 fine 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