Landmarks

Skip-the-Line Tickets to Topkapi Palace & Harem with Audio Guide

Guide with visitors inside topkapi palace

Avoid long waiting lines and enter the 15th-century palace of Topkapı at ease with this skip-the-line ticket. Spend time exploring Istanbul’s most celebrated attraction, and explore the lavish collections of Ottoman Turkey’s famed sultans.

Highlights

Skip the lines and fall in love with the incredible history of the 15th-century Topkapı Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stroll to marvel at the expensive tastes of the Ottoman sultans.
See priceless jewels, rich living quarters, and beautiful architecture. Learn more with the audio guide app available in 10 languages.
Explore the peaceful gardens, pavilions, hidden sanctuaries, kitchens, and more.
Elevate your experience by upgrading your ticket to enjoy a guided tour of the Basilica Cistern and the Topkapı Palace with an English-speaking guide.
Fun Fact: The Byzantine Church of Hagia Eirene was located in the first courtyard but was converted into an armory.

Inclusions

Skip-the-line entry into Topkapı Palace
Access to Harem Museum
Audio guide in English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, and Turkish
The services of a representative who will lead you to the entrance
2-hour guided tour of Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern with entry tickets (optional)
English-speaking guide (optional)

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.1

3.2K ratings

5/5

2.1K

4/5

302

3/5

272

2/5

237

1/5

294

Eric

5/5

Nov, 2024

I believe you can buy the ticket and audio guide on your own (I recommend it). The palace is stunning; if you plan to explore it in detail, it may take about 6 hours, and it truly is worth it.

Andrea

3/5

Nov, 2024

In the end, I waited half an hour (from 9 a.m., Palace entrance opening time, to 9:30 a.m., group entrance time) and queued more for our group than for other visitors. It would be preferable to have the entrance start at 9 otherwise the queue jumping makes sense after 10...

View original review in Italian

Manuella

4/5

Nov, 2024

We were able to access the site without too much delay and discovered this magnificent palace with its museum and gardens! We couldn't visit the Harem because we couldn't reach our guide, but the rest is enough to dazzle you for the afternoon!

View original review in French

Mohamed

4/5

Nov, 2024

Very easy to purchace online.But guide gave us nothing about the audio guide as audio guide suppose to collect from a counter near the ticket office. You can skip harem as it is not worth for money. But do not miss museum with holy relics in courtyard 2 and bosporus view in courtyard 3. Get your audio guide from the counter as the application based audio guide has only limited information. Better to carry some snackes and water as it is super expensive in the cafe.

Georgi

3/5

Nov, 2024

It's pointless to sell a "guided" tour when all the "guide" does is to scan your QR codes at the entrances and then leaves you on your own. Tourists are not that disoriented, they are more than capable to manage that on their own. For such expensive tickets (even in places like Barcelona, it costs less to visit the main attractions) this is ridiculous. Either get rid of the guides altogether, or at least have them make an intro to Topkapi & harem history for 30 minutes or so. Also, it's not mentioned anywhere in the instructional email that you have to receive a printed voucher from the desk to get into the palace. Some people just joined the group at the meeting point and had troubles at the entrance afterwards. Please add that to the instructions,thanks!

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Your experience

As the Turkish sultanate's home for centuries, Topkapı Palace offers a crash course in the history of the once-mighty Ottoman Empire. Visiting this landmark is considered to be an absolute must and one of the best things to do in Istanbul. The best part? With this handy ticket, you get to skip the lines (and the heat) outside the palace and learn about the monumental structure in the language of your choice with the audio guide, which is available in ten languages.

The Topkapı Palace was once the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. You can see its lavishness reflected in its opulent architecture - something you would only associate with the sultans of history's most powerful empires. Today, it is Turkey's most important cultural icon and an awe-inspiring monument.

The Combo: Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern Guided Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace, starting with the iconic Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir located in the heart of Istanbul. Then, explore Topkapi Palace, the world's largest and oldest palace, once the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Discover its treasury and exotic buildings while enjoying panoramic views of the Golden Horn.

Operating hours

Topkapi Palace

Monday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 04:45 PM	last entry 03:45 PM

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Tuesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 10:00 PM	last entry 06:30 PM

Know before you go

What to bring

The app does not require internet once it has been downloaded (ensure your GPS is activated). Please bring your headphones.

Additional information

Note that you will be able to enter the Topkapi Palace only with a representative. Meet your guide at the meeting point, who will then take you to the palace.
Be sure to arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before your entry time.
Download the audioguide app on your smartphone before your tour.
There is limited internet at the museum/pier so download the app before your visit.
Enter the palace and stay as long as you want until its closing time of 5pm.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.
Please note you cannot go directly to the Topkapi Palace. A representative will take you to the palace after you meet them and redeem your voucher.