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.
Stroll through the palace complex and 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 Blue Mosque and the Topkapı Palace with an English-speaking guide.

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
Entry to Blue Mosque (optional)
1-hr guided tour of Topkapi Palace & Blue Mosque (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

6.3K ratings

5/5

3.9K

4/5

844

3/5

481

2/5

433

1/5

617

Elisabeth

4/5

Nov, 2024

The quick admission. The handling in the Topkapi Café was a bit confusing and the employees were not very customer-oriented. There were very angry comments from some people around. The tour was ok

View original review in German

Lindner

4/5

Oct, 2024

Unfortunately no information that the online ticket must be exchanged for a paper ticket. We only received this information after a long wait and had to go back to the entrance and then queue again. About 1 hour wasted!

View original review in German

Andronachi

5/5

Oct, 2024

I liked the fact that I could see in person things that I had only read about before. The relic room and the armory were truly impressive. As for ticketing, our guide is a very serious and professional young lady; very efficient service. Thank you!

Gill

4/5

Oct, 2024

I booked a combi tour Topkapi Palace and Cistern Basilica. The day before I received a WhatsApp message providing details of where to meet the guide and optional times to visit the Basilica which helped to plan our day. Our guide for the Palace did not have a strong voice so having to compete against other visitors and guides did make audio difficult. The guide at the Cistern Basilica did not stay with our small group very long and again it was difficult to hear what he was saying over other guides. The skip the queue concept proved to be invaluable though as all attractions had very long ticket and entry queues and we jumped the lot. In hindsight I would just pay for audio guide and not a physical person.

4/5

Oct, 2024

Skipping the queue was really handy and having the guide was great. Just to manage expectations he got us through the security areas and then told us a bit about the history of the palace and surrounds. That was great. He pointed out significant collections to go to but didn't take us there himself. That makes sense given it's only a one hour tour. It's a big complex and a lot to see. There were no audio headsets either so you really had to get close to listen which was a bit difficult in a big group.

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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 & Blue Mosque Guided Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, starting with the iconic Blue Mosque, also known as Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Marvel at its six majestic minarets and the stunning dome adorned with 20,000 Iznik tiles. 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

Topkapi Palace Harem

Monday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 PM
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 06:00 PM	last entry 05:30 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 carry 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.
You may join one of the following timed entry slots for your chosen date at Topkapi Palace: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm.
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.
Entry to the Palace is only possible at the time slot selected during booking. Once inside, you can stay as long as you want until the closing time of 5pm.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID to your representative.
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.
Kindly arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

Meet your Tour Guide at the "Topkapi Cafe / Meeting Hub" OUTSIDE Topkapi Palace, across the Carpet Museum.
Please note you cannot go directly to the Topkapi Palace. Meet your guide at the meeting point, who will then take you to the palace

Get Directions to the Meeting Point