The Topkapi Palace Museum is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul. This stunning palace, built by the Ottoman Empire, is well-preserved and showcases beautiful architecture and a wide range of artifacts. It is recommended to allocate at least 3-4 hours to fully explore the palace, as there is so much to see. The Harem section, although slightly disappointing due to limited access, still offers a glimpse into the lives of the sultan and his harem. It is advisable to take a guide or use the free audio guide to gain a better understanding of the exhibits, as some lack detailed descriptions. The palace also offers shops where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks. Tickets can be bought at the counter or through a kiosk, with the option to include access to the Harem. It's worth noting that foreign tourists may have to pay a higher price compared to locals, which some find unfair. The museum is vast and well-maintained, but it can get crowded, so it's recommended to visit early in the day. Overall, the Topkapi Palace Museum is a fascinating and significant historical site that offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.
Address:
Cankurtaran
Phone:
+90 212 512 04 80
Comment
31.03.24
Jadranka
Must see in Istanbul. Centuries of amazing history, so many interesting artifacts and rooms, salons and exhibitions. Worth every penny to visit it. Only snack bar and cafe is outside the palace. Toilets are fairly clean, given the number of visitors.
21.03.24
Ilma
3.5 stars
The grounds are beautiful, extremely well-maintained. The palace is beautiful, and so are the palace gardens. There are some stunning views from there too.
However, I believe the ticket is extremely overpriced. It was my sense (and the gr.. Read more »oup I was with also agreed) that this should cost around 20 EUR. The ticket costs double.
There’s very little “life” and interest added to the museum, it’s almost just all “bare” palace - beautiful but a bit lifeless. In the library there were some wax figures, so if there was something like that in every room with objects and clothing from that time - perhaps it would bring the experience a bit more to life and justify the extremely high price.
Perhaps some more videos, interactive spaces… Overall a beautiful space but overpriced without the added effort.
We also thought it was overcrowded, at times we couldn’t see things due to the amount of people in a single room. Perhaps if the amount of people was limited to a certain number of people every day (like Machu Picchu) it would be better.
20.03.24
Leonie
Such a beautiful Palace to visit. They have put a lot of effort into making the place fun and interesting and it has some of the most fantastic views of Istanbul. While a bit expensive you do get a LOT for your ticket and can easily spend a few hours.. Read more » wandering around! From original clothes to holy relics , the place has it all.
25.02.24
Emelli
the palace is gigantic, if you want to visit everything in detail and carefully, go in the morning as it will take you all day to see everything. It's unbelievable how the value for tourists of all the monuments is absurdly expensive, and for ci.. Read more »tizens it is more than 10x cheaper. I have never seen any other country doing this. It is worth buying a ticket to see the palace, Hagia Irene is not worth it, there is nothing inside, and it is under renovation, it will take you 5 minutes to see the walls. The palace is very interesting, it is worth visiting.
19.02.24
Helen
One of the most important palaces in Istanbul. It deserves at least half a day to visit. Each museum/ show room has something meaningful to present. There are some holy collections and presentation rooms. Highly recommended. Better do some research b.. Read more »efore visiting or download museum app or find a tour guide.
29.08.23
Ashlyn
The condition that the palace is looked after is very impressive. The architecture and all the items on display are very beautiful. Costs 750 lira or 950 lira ( with access to the Harem). Honestly such a nice place to visit and would require way over.. Read more » 2 hours to see everything, so come early. A free audiotour is available but seems a bit basic.
24.08.23
Dalim
One of the best places to visit in Istanbul is this. Wonderful creation of the Ottoman Empire. You need to have 3-4 hours to visit this place. There are shops inside to buy drinks and snacks. Tickets can be purchased at the counter by cash or at the .. Read more »kiosk outside by credit card (950 lira). Definitely take a guide or an audio guide (for free by depositing your passport or driving licence).
19.08.23
Magdalena
It was a great site to see, however a bit disappointing to myself and a group of people I went with. We expected more rooms staged like the Ottoman times, instead of different exhibitions in literally every part of the palace. The Harem was especiall.. Read more »y disappointing as most of the rooms were closed or restricted access and it was hard to imagine how the sultan and his harem would live in those times. It would be great if the public could see more and if more descriptions could be provided.
19.08.23
Syed
Amazing palace with great artefacts and amazing holy relics.
It's a shame that foreign tourists have to pay ten times the price for locals. Not a good policy. Also for the audio guide you have to deposit one ID document per audio guide or $100 p.. Read more »er audio guide. Absolutely ridiculous policy as there is no mention of this on the website and you only find out when you get there.
11.07.23
Deming
Huge palace, prepare at least half a day to finish touring it. The place is pretty and well maintained, but very crowded.
It's a pity that the exhibitions did not have much information provided so you will appreciate it much better with a guide.. Read more ».
26.06.23
Muhammad
One of the best places to visit in istanbul. You will need at least 4-5 hours to properly visit this place. The history is well preserved. Islamic relics section is mind blowing with such a rare, historic and significant collection. Highly recommende.. Read more »d.
23.06.23
Nuwan
Amazing ottoman palace. Lots of artifacts on display which were used in 15 to 18 centuries. Tickets were 750 lira and it includes free audio guide. At least 3 hours need to complete the palace visit.
19.06.23
CL
Entire museum and park is beautiful. Great views of Bosporus. Tickets are required but inexpensive, and queues move fast. Harem museum is a bit more but interesting. Closes early (4pm).
01.06.23
Roger
Booked our tours via the tourist information centre. Very knowledgeable and easily understood. Another must see. We walked and walked these 3 days to make sure we saw the sights of Istanbul. The weather has been warm but not hot. Thankyou Istanbul.
09.05.23
Mohammad
A must to do!!! A beautiful imperial complex surrounded by Bosporus Strait. It served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the main residence of its sultans for around 400 years. Spot 2-3 hours to fully explore the beauty of Ottoman.. Read more » architecture, history, and culture. But ticket in advance and plan to do it on weekdays to avoid crowd. Highly recommended!!!
30.12.22
Aima
Amazing place, atmosphere, good condition of the palace, park, museums. Huge respect to authorities, who saved historical value of Istanbul in general and in this palace.
This place is impressive, many relics and valuables have been preserved.
Howeve.. Read more »r it is a pity that we cannot see rooms, furniture, the personal belongings of the sultanas were not preserved, and in general they lived very close, as lots of people come to see life of Osman family
13.10.22
Faiser
Such an amazing museum. You could easily spend the whole day here. So much to see and experience. The palace in of itself is a elegant and beautiful building. The museum is full of history and Turkish culture.
In particular, you should also make sur.. Read more »e that you go and see the whole relics. Full of breathtaking Islamic artifacts from the prophets and companions. Would recommend this museum to all in Istanbul.
17.08.22
Julien
This palace is definitely worth the visit. There are many beautiful rooms which are beautifully decorated and have their original furniture. The reason I only give 4 stars is because there are even more empty rooms that in no way display their origin.. Read more »al usage. I think this palace would be even better if they made more reconstructions so that visitors can really be emerged in how the palace used to operate.
11.07.22
Adam
Amazing place, truly a fantastic experience.
The palace has such a rich history, with it's artifacts, Islamic treasures and being the old headquarters of previous Sultans.
The views are absolutely lovely, Plenty of picture opportunities. The g.. Read more »rounds really are beautiful.
Highly recommend anyone thinking of going!
08.07.22
Victoria
I recommend buying tickets in advance because my family made the mistake of waiting at a ticket pass seller just for them to tell us that the tickets to enter the museum were inside, aside from that the museum was really pretty and the gardens looked.. Read more » amazing during this season (summer). There were some places where the lines were so long I couldn't enter but that's because I went on a weekend. Overall it was very pleasant experience.
05.06.22
Daniel
Go to this place as early as you can be. Lines can be long and there are always student groups during the day. Bring some cash if you want to get self-guided recordings. Although it's technically free, they want you to leave some money or docume.. Read more »nts (passports or ID) if you borrow the recording. Even better, if you can get yourself some guide to explain to you about the place. As this building rich of history, there are so many stories guides certainly helpful.
07.05.22
Amina
The palace is majestically placed on one of the highest points in Istanbul and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Make sure you have enough time and energy to explore the grounds fully. Essential to have a guide to explain the various areas or rooms. M.. Read more »any of the walls or gates are adorned with Arabic Calligraphy. The design, architecture and layout combine the various cultures that have occupied the country.
29.03.22
Sarah
This is the palace of the ottomans who rules the empire. The story of the sultans and their wives, their aids and others is fascinating. The individual rooms are labeled. On entry you can get a free guided tour of the palace. The ceilings are ornate .. Read more »and so we’ll decorated. You can look into the life of the ottoman sultans and understand how they lived. There is even a circumcision room in the sultans quarter that was surprising to see.
27.03.22
Arlene
The Palace was interesting however be aware that you need to give your passport/national ID or personal ID for the headphones if you want the audio. Not all areas open as there is extensive restoration work. But a good way to spend a couple of hours .. Read more »and the grounds are lovely. Couple of cafes to sit and people watch.
19.02.22
Tuğrul
Travel in time. Back to the ottoman times. This place is absolutely wow. Big area, ideal for wandering, sightseeing and all the history inside. The details of the palace, buildings and wall decorations, crafted historical items. Holy relics. Special .. Read more »place to visit and a place to be. You can easily have a half day intensive great tour.
16.02.22
Misbah
What a beautiful beautiful place! Istanbul is stunning and this is place is a gem! The historical value this place holds is absolutely breathtaking! The Islamic history, the story of the Emperor who lived here... it's like every step was a walk .. Read more »in there steps. What a surreal experience. The views from here also stunning! Must visit
06.01.22
Mohamed
Very Unique place and full of historical signs. It is well maintained and it is very clean. It is higher in level than surroundings. It needs not less than 4 hours to enjoy and see everything in this place. There is a pass card that let you visit all.. Read more » places inside this great palace. You can buy it from the tickets office. There is portable electronic guide that explains every place and its history. It is full of green areas. It is really great place and I would like to re-visit again and again.
23.12.21
N.A
If you love all things history then this place is a must. They offer Tours and also Audio Guides that you can use on your own. Definitely worth the experience. I couldn’t take many pictures due to the no camera policy (although some people stil.. Read more »l did) but I’m happy about that as I was able to live in the moment which is rare nowadays.
14.10.21
Selena
Great museum. Some of the artifacts are in great shape. I definitely recommend the audio guide. It's free with your ticket. The Turkish descriptions of items leave a bit to be desired in terms of satisfying my curiosity. Go early. By 11 it'.. Read more »s very very crowded. The restaurant inside the palace is actually really good and has a gorgeous view. Definitely go see the Spoon Makers Apple and look up the story about it before you go. They have some holy relics on display as well, women do need a head covering to see that part.
22.09.21
Sydney
Beautiful historical landmark in Istanbul! Highly recommend. A definite must see. I recommend buying tickets in advance. The lines were incredibly long. Also ladies, be prepared to cover your head/hair in certain areas of the palace.
18.09.21
Yewei
One of the biggest spot in Istanbul! I recommend at least half a day for visiting. And it's better you get the museum pass, itself already worth the money. It has four main sections, and each sections have many some exhibitions. You can lear.. Read more »n a lot about Islamic arts and culture. And at the end there is a very nice coffee next to the sea, the cakes there are just amazing, the price is a bit higher but with the view it worth it.
22.08.21
Yaser
It was so awesome to walk and see such old buildings and think about the history of those places. I enjoyed so much of this historic place! pictures views, beautiful interiors, and exteriors. The ticket is a bit pricey but in the end, you spend there.. Read more » the whole day abs it’s absolutely worth it
29.04.21
Dan
This site is incredible, with a capital INCREDIBLE.
Honestly, if you ever find yourself in Istanbul looking for something to do with your time, look no further than Topkapi Palace Museum.
The architecture and the art is amazing, and one can learn s.. Read more »o much history here too.
So what are you waiting for? Book your flights now!
Seriously though, this truly is worth a visit... Very interesting place and the grounds are huge!
25.04.21
Mas
An historical and not so well looked after old Palace of the Ottoman Emperors it offers a fascinating insight into the turbulent history! Unfortunately most of the displays, furniture, ornaments and jewels look dusty and need a good clean. The diamon.. Read more »ds and jewels could also do with a good polish to bring out the shine!
22.01.21
Asma
Visited the place on a Tuesday, when it was closed to the public, the park though was open.
The greenery, trees and natural ambiance was very serene and worth the visit.
The place is great for a quiet stroll and helps you think. The place is visite.. Read more »d frequently with tourist so may get a little crowded, but anything with so much of natural beauty deserve to be seen.
20.01.21
Aynur
ttThe best historic museum that I have been in my entire life! One of the best places to visit during your time in Istanbul. Lots of history!! It is huge and you get to see how how once the emperors of the world lived. Every tile, china, ceiling, eve.. Read more »ry detail brings you to the old times. By the way, it has an absolutely fantastic view to the Marmara sea in one of the main balconies. You should see Istanbul in the eyes of the Sultan's in that balcony....
17.01.21
Steven
Beautiful. I'm usually not too interested in palaces, but being surrounded by water with gorgeous views adds to the experience. Lovely grounds and architecture. A must see in the historic center of Istanbul.
20.11.20
Lucy
One of few places we visited in Istanbul where there were no renovation going on. Initially we arrived there after it's announced open time, but guard told us it is still closed. From inside property, can see beautiful view of Galata tower are.. Read more »a and Asia side. Ground was maintained very beautifully, and even those who are not interested to history, it is the place should visit. Also, this palace is different from those palace / castle in western Europe. there are a lot of small building with only a room which has sofa and fire place.
14.10.20
Shahrukh
Loved this place! So clean and full of history. So well maintained. Such great collection of battle swords. The ones from Hungary were so big. I wonder how do people used those swords in that time. Photography is not allowed ? inside the museums. Gre.. Read more »at lawns and great view of sea.
24.09.20
Sy
An interesting display of artifacts spanning the Ottoman era, from the late medieval period to the early 1900s. The Palace itself is a beautiful mix of byzantine, Ottoman-Arab and European influence.
If you're at all interested in history, the .. Read more »home of the Ottoman padishah is a must see in Istanbul.
16.09.20
Lena
Impressed by the palace! Plus nice benches and a must-visit cafe with a terrace (for the great views)
13.09.20
Jazzy
Just amazing lots of history take u back in the past..!! Also some outstanding views to c the sea
03.09.20
Mehmet
I can not find any word to describe this beautiful historical place. History history history again..
16.08.20
Tatiana
The Palace is mesmerising!!!
The kiosks are a good deal to go from to another, but I have to encourage you to read about all of them before going in. It will give you so much inside.
Prepare to sped there at least 3-4 hours!!!
14.08.20
Jean-Bernard
Best place to visit in Istanbul.
You will feel like travelling in time or right in the middle of game of thrones. We did the visit with a guide called Kadir for 25€ and it has changed completed the visit as he told us all the stories of the sul.. Read more »tans that lived in the palace and behind every rocks of the place.
It will allow you also fast track to buying the tickets as the guide can skip the line.
You will also learn stories from hagia Sofia and about religions and Ottoman Empire.
At the end of the palace there is a cafe and you can take beautiful pictures of the bosphorus and istanbul
12.08.20
Fatema
ASTONISHING, WONDERFUL, AMAZING... just amazing!! I don’t think anyone can truly describe this place which is why I would recommend everyone to visit this museum if they come go Turkey. You can’t go wrong with the price... A ticket per pe.. Read more »rson is 100 liras (roughly £10) but I would be more than willing to pay even more. I spent a good three hours there and if time permitted I would’ve gone back a second time too.
03.08.20
Idris
Wow wow wow.
From the moment I entered until I left I was in a state of shock.
The love of the artists put into the work building, decorating, planning is just fantastic.
The armoury - is the best display I have ever seen, swords, axes, shields, arr.. Read more »ows just wow.
But most of all the blessed Relics of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and His s.a.w blessed companions are incredible.
Well worth every second and penny spent
Make sure you give yourself a lot of time there is a lot to see.
4.6 / 125
