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.
Topkapi Palace Tours
Visit Topkapi Palace
Plan a trip to see Topkapi Palace
Richmond Istanbul
Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024
Browse tours and tickets to explore Topkapi Palace
Shows & concerts
See all 7 activitiesOpens in new tabBosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive)
Shopping & fashion
See all 14 activitiesOpens in new tabMonuments of Ottoman Empire Tour - Skip the Line Tickets
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 57 activitiesOpens in new tabTaste of Two Continents: Istanbul Food Tour
Attractions
See all 4 activitiesOpens in new tabTurkish Baths Experience at Cemberlitas Hamam with Private Transfer
History & culture
See all 352 activitiesOpens in new tabBest of Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour
Reviews of Topkapi Palace
4/5 - Good
Treasury under reconstruction and important items unseeable- wait 3 years to come.
4/5 - Good
The new mosque in chamlege
4/5 - Good
Huge, takes a long time to see it all
5/5 - Excellent
Don’t miss the whole kitchen wing, which has incredible displays of porcelains, as well as coffee services, table linens. Audio guide is lousy
4/5 - Good
most of the buildings inside the palace were closed to visitors.
5/5 - Excellent
Go here earlier in the morning, so that you can beat the rush. Plan to spend a few hours here as there is a lot to see.
Popular places to visit
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Rich with history, Istanbul Archaeology Museums is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Istanbul. Stroll along the seaside or visit the stunning cathedral in the area.
Hagia Irene
Rich with history, Hagia Irene is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Istanbul. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.
Gülhane Park
Delight in incredible views of the Turkish coast, admire an opulent on-site palace and relax away from the noise of the city amongst this park’s decorative rose gardens.
İstanbul Museum of the History of Science & Technology in Islam
You can study the exhibits at İstanbul Museum of the History of Science & Technology in Islam, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Istanbul. Visit the area's shops or amble around its seaside.
Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III
Find out about the history of Istanbul with a stop at Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its acclaimed art scene.
Hagia Sophia
Once a church, then a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and now a monument, this iconic building is a national treasure.
Best Lodging Options Near Topkapi Palace
Check availability on hotels close to Topkapi Palace
- Vacations and getaways similar to Topkapi Palace
- Other Hotels near Topkapi Palace, Istanbul City Center
- Hotels near popular Istanbul Attractions
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Sirkeci Mansion
- Hotel Amira Istanbul
- Hotel Saba Sultan
- Niles Hotel Istanbul - Special Class
- The Marmara Pera
- Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet - Special Class
- Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
- InterContinental Istanbul, an IHG Hotel
- Hotel Yasmak Sultan
- Hotel Kupeli
- Ottoman Hotel Imperial - Special Class
- Romance Istanbul Hotel
- Hotels near Topkapı Harem
- Hotels near Taksim Square
- Hotels near Blue Mosque
- Hotels near Hagia Sophia
- Hotels near Grand Bazaar
- Hotels near Galata Tower
- Hotels near Bosphorus Bridge
- Hotels near Bosphorus
- Hotels near Sultanahmet Square
- Hotels near Mall of Istanbul
- Hotels near Istiklal Avenue
- Hotels near Dolmabahçe Palace
- Hotels near Basilica Cistern
- Hotels near Ataturk Olympic Stadium
- Hotels near Süleymaniye Mosque
- Hotels near Bağdat Avenue
- Hotels near Egyptian Bazaar
- Hotels near Florya Beach
- Hotels near Istanbul Sapphire
- Hotels near Eminönü Square