Topkapı Palace
Duration
3 hrs
Admission
€60
Best time
Morning
Budget
Moderate
About this place
Topkapi Palace served as the administrative heart and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries, housing sultans and their courts from the 1460s until the 19th century. Sprawling across a vast promontory overlooking the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara, the palace complex encompasses opulent courtyards, imperial chambers, the legendary Harem, and a treasury housing some of the world's most extraordinary imperial artefacts.
Tips
Book tickets online in advance as Topkapi is one of Istanbul's most visited attractions and queues can be very lengthy, particularly in summer. A separate ticket is required for the Harem, which is well worth the additional cost for its elaborately decorated chambers and fascinating history. Allow at least half a day to explore the vast complex at a comfortable pace. The palace sits alongside Gülhane Park and within easy walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, making it the natural centrepiece of a full day exploring Istanbul's historic peninsula.