Attraction
Hagia Sophia
Justinian's sixth-century domed basilica, now the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, with a separate visitor route through its upper galleries above the prayer hall.
Topkapı Palace
The sprawling Ottoman palace on Seraglio Point, with courtyards, the Harem, imperial treasury displays and Bosphorus views, plus the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene.
At a glance
- Type
- Palace museum
- Area
- Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Tuesday) · 09:00–18:00
- Official site
- millisaraylar.gov.tr
Good to know
- Harem
- Hagia Irene
- Imperial Treasury
- Online tickets and app
Why we recommend it
Topkapı Palace was the main residence and seat of government of the Ottoman sultans for around four centuries after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It spreads across Seraglio Point, the tip of the historic peninsula where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, and it is now run as a museum by the National Palaces administration.
The palace is laid out as a sequence of courtyards, each more private than the last. Beyond the Imperial Gate, the first courtyard holds the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene. The second leads to the council chamber and the huge palace kitchens, and the third to the treasury rooms and collections of sacred relics. The Harem, where the sultan's family lived, is a maze of tiled rooms, corridors and small courtyards, and is worth the extra time. The outer terraces and pavilions give wide views across the Bosphorus to the Asian shore.
The combined ticket covers the palace, the Harem and Hagia Irene and is valid for one day from purchase. The Museum Card is not valid for the Harem or Hagia Irene. Tickets can be bought online through the National Palaces website and app, as well as at the ticket office, which opens at 09:00. The palace is closed on Tuesdays, and also on New Year's Day and the first day of Ramazan Bayramı. Children aged six and under enter free.
Allow at least half a day, and more if you want to see every section properly. Arrive at opening time to stay ahead of tour groups, and head for the Harem first, as it is the part where queues build. There is a lot of walking on cobbles and uneven paving, and some sections involve steps. Bags are checked at security, and weapons of any kind are not allowed.
Families, history lovers and first-time visitors will all get something out of a visit. Gülhane and Sultanahmet tram stops on the T1 line are both within a short walk. Hagia Sophia stands just outside the Imperial Gate, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums are downhill to the west, and Gülhane Park, once part of the palace grounds, makes a shady place to rest afterwards.
Topkapı Palace FAQs
Which day is Topkapı closed?
Tuesdays, plus New Year's Day and the first day of Ramazan Bayramı.
What does the combined ticket include?
Entry to the palace, the Harem and Hagia Irene, valid for one day from purchase.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes, through the National Palaces website and its mobile app, as well as at the ticket office.
Is the Museum Card valid?
It is not valid for the Harem or Hagia Irene sections.
Do children pay?
Children aged 0 to 6 enter free.
How long should I allow?
At least half a day to see the courtyards, treasury, Harem and terraces without rushing.
When does the ticket office open?
At 09:00.
How do I get there?
Take the T1 tram to Gülhane or Sultanahmet; the Imperial Gate is behind Hagia Sophia.