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TurkeyWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Palace or Topkapı Sarayı Muzesi) – in our opinion, the largest attraction in Istanbul, which should definitely be visited during the first visit to the city. This is the former palace of the ruling dynasty of the Ottoman Empire, where from 1475 to 1854 lived all the rulers and their families.
The palace began to be built by Sultan Mehmed II The Conqueror (Fatih, Fatih Sultan Mehmet). Yes, this is the same Fatih, whose name is called the large Fatih district, part of which is the historical quarter of Sultanahmet. The main construction continued in 1475-78, but in the following centuries under different rulers it was repeatedly completed and rebuilt. In 1923, by the decree of the first president of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, it was transformed into a museum and opened to the public.
It was not just a palace, but a whole city within a city, including everything that Sultans could need for a luxurious life. The complex includes four courtyards, a harem (visited for a fee), museums and exhibitions with a total fund of up to 65,000 exhibits, internal parks, mosques, baths, swimming pools, fountains, Church of St. Irene (Hagia Irene or Aya Irini). All this is visited as a single museum, and for inspection it is worth laying at least 3 hours, and preferably half a day. You can take photos on the territory, inside the premises with exhibitions is prohibited. Given the scale of the palace, in order not to get confused and get lost, when buying a ticket, take a free booklet with a map, or even better, visit it with a tour or guide. Since the place is sacred, there is a dress code at the entrance: mini-skirts, shorts, excessively revealing clothes are prohibited. It is also forbidden to visit with infants and strollers.
Please note that Topkapi is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul. In high season, it's just not crowded, and at the entrance there are huge queues, you may have to stand at the box office for an hour or more. In order not to get in such a queue, it is best to come here early for the opening, or buy in advance Museum map of Istanbul in less popular places: Museum of Islamic Art, Museum of mosaics, , Museum of the history of Islamic Science and technology, Galata Mevlevi or the abode of the Dervishes. There is also a separate fast Track tickets queue at the box office for 105 lire instead of 72. According to the museum map, you can immediately go to the entrance, bypassing the ticket office. At the entrance you will have to undergo a thorough security inspection.
And there is another alternative to the museum card - a single ticket to the three main attractions in Sultanahmet: Topkapi Palace, Archaeological Museum, and Hagia Sophia for 162 lira (3.53 USD), and separately their visit costs 180 (3.92 you can buy at one of the ticket offices in these museums, the queue is least in the Archaeological Museum.
🌐 Website: https://topkapisarayi.gov.tr
🕐 Working hours
in summer (from April 1 to October 2) – 09:00 to 18:45; in winter (from October 3 to March 31) – 09:00 to 16:45. The entrance closes 45 minutes before the end. Weekends are every Tuesday, as well as January 1, April 21, and October 29 (see non-working dates here).
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
Entrance to the complex 1500 lira (32.66 USD, see Turkish currency and exchange rate), children under 8 years old inclusive free of charge. With this ticket you can visit the Church of St. Irene, or you can visit it separately for 36 lire (0.78 USD). According to the museum map of Istanbul, the palace and the Church of St. Irene are visited for free, but the harem is not included in the visit on the map.
🚶 How to get there
Topkapi Palace is located in Sultanahmet district (entrance to the Palace on the map). From Sultanahmet districts/Fatih can be reached on foot. From Beyoglu district by tram T1 (stop Gulhane or Sultanahmet); Metro Line M2 to Vezneciler station and walk 1 kilometer; buses 80T, 70KY, 74A, minibus 22 and 23 and walk 1-2 kilometers. From the Asian part and Kadikoy district by the Marmaray city train. On the tourist bus Big Bus Istanbul get off at the Stop number 1/20.
Visiting the palace is possible only on an individual basis, hiring a guide is not possible. Inside the palace to the right of the main entrance in the kiosk you can rent an audio guide for 70 lire (1.52 USD), including in Russian, but given the same prices, it will be cheaper to take a group or individual tour with a Russian-speaking local guide. You can book excursions in Russian on one of these trusted sites: