Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace which includes a castle and heritage architecture
Topkapi Palace


The official residence of the Ottoman sultans for about four centuries is now accessible to the public and home to sacred relics.

Topkapi Palace is among the best preserved Ottoman palaces, located on the spot where settlement in Istanbul began. A visit to its quarters provides insight into the Ottoman history of the Turkish city. The 15th-century Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum under Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1924.While the palace is a dream for history buffs, some visitors come here just for the views the palace looks out over the Golden Horn, a natural harbor in Istanbul, the Bosphorus Strait and the Sea of Marmara.The site covers 173 acres (70 hectares) and is surrounded by over 3 miles (5 kilometers) of walls. Admire the towering gates, tree-lined courtyards and classical Turkish buildings, which once housed Ottoman sultans and their followers. It grew and changed over the reigns of successive sultans, each of whom would leave his own mark on the palace.Visit the harem, the private space in the palace where a sultan’s family lived along with the concubines and eunuchs in their service. The harem was traditionally inaccessible to outsiders, which invoked myths and legends about what happened there. These days, only part of it is open to the public, but you can still see the 40-roomed section allocated to the sultan’s mother and the large baths and domed hall where the sultan spent his free time.Even after hundreds of years, the palace is still a place of grandeur. The courtyards hold numerous striking examples of Turkish art and architecture. In the kitchens there are 12,000 pieces of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. In the outer courtyard, admire the Hagia Irene, a striking Orthodox church that is now often used as a concert hall. It’s also a museum, but you’ll need special permission to visit.The Topkapi Palace in the Old City of Istanbul has no tour guide service, but you’ll find plenty of private tour guides waiting in front of the ticket booths. The palace is open daily, except Tuesdays.

Reviews of Topkapi Palace

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
349
" "5 - Excellent 63%
4 - Good
169
" "4 - Good 31%
3 - Okay
31
" "3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

An interesting look at the old imperial palace. Do the tour with the Istanbul pass and learn about the palace and the history

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Long walk to the palace but worth the uphill walk. Allow at least 2-3 hours due to queues and the size of the palace

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Don’t miss the Harem! Around 110lira to visit all

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

great guide which was a must to understand the building etc

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A huge palace and pretty spectacular. As a bonus there is a small museum housing many Islamic relics, such as the first key to the Kaaba. There is also a little booth there where an imam reads the Quran out loud. If you've ever wondered where that voice comes from now is the chance to see it for free. Arrive before 9:30am to avoid long queues at the ticket office.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

3 hrs min. Ideally a day required.

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Tiyatro Caddesi, No. 25, Beyazit, Istanbul, Istanbul
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
5 out of 5
Akbiyik Cad No 46, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Sultanahmet mah. Torun Sokak, No:19, Istanbul, Istanbul
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
5 out of 5
Visnezade Mah. Acisu Sok. NO. 19, Macka Besiktas, Istanbul, Istanbul
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
5 out of 5
Divanyolu Cd. Alemdar Mah., Ticarethane Sk. No 10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Kucuk Ayasofya Mahallesi Mustafa, Pasa Sokak No: 43 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Pera Palace Hotel
Pera Palace Hotel
5 out of 5
Mesrutiyet Cad. No. 52, Tepebasi Beyoglu, Istanbul, Istanbul
Pera Palace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.