On vacation in Istanbul? Don’t miss the visit of the Topkapi Palace, one of the city’s greatest monuments!
Dating from the 15th century, the Ottoman palace of Topkapi is one of the must-sees of Istanbul. Dominating the Golden Horn from all its height, Bosphore and the Marmara, it offers a breathtaking view. Located in the district of Sultanahmet, the most tourist of the city, it is the direct neighbour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. With its 700,000 m2 and its countless splendour, it must not be missed under any pretext!
Would you like to visit the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul? Here you will find all the information to discover it. Parking, access, opening hours or light historical point, you will be aware of the need to approach your visit in the best way!
History of the Topkapi Palace
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Until 1930, the city of Istanbul was called Constantinople. At the seat of the Ottoman Empire, it had an important influence on the world. The construction of his palace began in 1459, after the capture of Constantinople by the sultan Mehmet II . Its inauguration was carried out in 1465, before being enlarged for decades by the successive leaders.
Today, the size of the whole is just over 700 000 m2 . Residence of Ottoman sultans until the middle of the 19th century, it was especially since this palace that the influence of the empire beyond the present Turkey radiates!
Our tips for visiting the Topkapi Palace
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ruslan Kalnitsky
During your city trip in Istanbul, you’ll probably want to optimise your time on the spot so you can discover the maximum aspects of the city. Here are all our tips to visit the Topkapi Palace!
Duration of visit
The palace consists of four courses, multiple buildings, an incredible Treasury room and a harem. It also houses the archaeological museum. To fully enjoy its 700 000m2, we recommend that you plan to minimum half day to visit ! Count the visit of the archaeological museum in addition.
Best time to visit
As it is one of the most popular monuments in Istanbul, the palace is filled every day by a crowd of visitors! To visit it in the best conditions, the best is getting there very early and start the visit by the harem and the Treasury Room, as it is the two most frequented rooms.
Other remarks
- It may be interesting to separate the visit of the palace and harem if you miss time on a single day. Tickets can be purchased separately.
- In some rooms, including kitchens and the third courtyard of the palace, photos are forbidden. Always check the panels!
What to do during your visit to the Topkapi Palace?
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The Palace of Topkapi is a rather large complex of several sets. Here's what you can find:
The Court of Janissaries
This court is accessible on free entry . The Janissaries were the elite troops of the Ottoman army, composed of Christian slaves converted to Islam.
The kitchens
The kitchens of the palace served every day to feed thousands of people! Today they are home to an interesting collection of Chinese porcelain. You will also find explanatory panels on the eating habits of the time.
The harem
The harem is, with the Treasury Room, one of the two most beautiful rooms to visit in the Topkapi Palace! It was at the time a place of life of the Sultan and his concubines, sisters, aunts, nieces, etc. Fully decorated with Iznik ceramic, the harem is dazzling with splendour.
La Salle du Trésor
The Treasury Room is a real wonder to visit at the Topkapi Palace. It contains some of the most valuable objects in the world, such as Topkapi dagger the most expensive weapon on Earth.
How much does a ticket cost to Topkapi Palace?
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The ticket to the Topkapi Palace, excluding harem, costs 150 tl. If you want to visit only its harem, it will cost you 100 tl. In other words, visiting the entire site returns to pay 250 tl, which is equivalent to about 16 € . A rather modest sum for a monument of this magnitude!
Audioguide, in addition, costs the equivalent of 3 € . The Court of Janissaries, she is in free access . The archaeological museum, located in the first courtyard of the palace, is visited separately. His ticket costs 50 tl, a little less 5 € .
Are there guided tours of the Topkapi Palace?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Nejdet Duzen
Would you like to be accompanied by a guide during your visit to the Topkapi Palace? This falls well: it is possible to buy a ticket for the Palais de Topkapi and enjoy a guided tour of it in French. You will be taken care of directly at your hotel before being taken to the palace. This dive in the life of the sultans of the period lasts 4 hours and ends with the tasting of succulent loukoums!
It is also possible to request an additional audio guide when buying your ticket for the Topkapi Palace. You will be sure not to miss out on your visit.
Are there visits combined with other monuments in Istanbul?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Nejdet Duzen
Many combined visits including the Topkapi Palace exist on the web. For example, you can enjoy a one-day tour with a visit to the palace, the Hagia Sofia , Blue Mosque and of race , without having to suffer the queues.
Opening hours
The Palace of Topkapi is one of the major monuments of Istanbul, its opening hours are rather wide. It is possible to visit the Topkapi Palace and its harem 9h to 16:45 of the Wednesday at Saturday . From 15 April to 30 October, its doors remain open until 18:45. The palace is closed on Tuesday all year round.
If you don’t want to find a close, note that the last time to access the palace ticket office is one hour before the site is closed, at 4pm during the winter season and at 6pm from April to October!
How to get to Topkapi Palace?
To go to Topkapi Palace, you will have to go to Cankurtaran in the Sultanahmet quarter. As it is located in the city centre, it is easily accessible by foot or by public transport.
- In tram: The tram is the most convenient means of transport to the Topkapi Palace. Indeed, line T1 you deposit directly behind this one. All you have to do is go down to the stop Gülhane istayonu.
- By bus: By bus, get in the line BN1 to reach the palace. Get down at the stop Akbıyık : you only have 10 minutes left on foot and you will arrive!
- By train: Marmaray is a railway line that serves to connect the Asian and European banks of the Turkish capital with an immersed tunnel. Down to the stop Eminönü İskele, you will be less than 15 minutes walk from the Topkapi Palace.
- On foot: Are you already in the city centre of Istanbul? Take a walk through the palace! Note, however, that the ticket office closes one hour before closing. You can even enjoy it to discover other wonders of the neuralgic center of the district of Sultanahmet, such as the Blue Mosque or the Hagia Sofia!
Where to park near the Topkapi Palace?
It is useless to waste time looking for a free place in the Sultanahmet district. Everywhere in the city, it is possible to park easily with a small sum of money. Parking meters in Istanbul are non-existent: parking rules are different from those in the hexagon.
City Hall employees, most often dressed in their uniforms but sometimes in civilians, are there to cash the price to pay to enjoy a place in the city centre. They will watch your vehicle while it remains parked. On average, count 4 tl (approximately 40 cents of€ ) per hour of parking in Istanbul, but in a tourist area like Sultanahmet, the rate is a little higher!
Where to stay near the Topkapi Palace?
The Topkapi Palace is located in the centre of Stambouliote, in the district Sultanahmet the most tourist in the city. In other words, the easiest way to stay near the palace is to book your hotel or your Airbnb In the neighborhood. Many visitors stay only in this area when they are visiting Istanbul, as long as it is packed with things to do.
Indeed, this is where most of the world-renowned historical monuments are concentrated. If you want to change your neighbourhood while still close to the palace, you can opt for the atypical district of Galata or for the exhilarated atmosphere of the neighbourhood Beyoğlu . Both are accessible via line 1 of the tram, which passes through the Topkapi Palace. In any case, don’t hesitate to go through a Compare hotels , to find the offer that best matches your desires!
Here you are armed to plan your visit to the Topkapi Palace in its small details!
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