Traveling is one of the most exciting things in life. However, exploring a new place such as Topkapi Palace can be daunting, especially if you are not familiar with the Ottoman History.
Here in this guide, I will personally turn the lights on and bring everything you should know about Topkapi Palace Museum in 2023 to light.
1- How To Visit Topkapı Palace
2- How Much Does It Cost To Visit Topkapi Palace (Ticket Price for 2023)
3- Where To Buy Topkapi Tickets
4- Is There A Dress Code For Topkapi Palace
5- Can You Take Pictures Inside Topkapi Palace
6- Is The Topkapı Palace Harem Worth It
7- Which Is Better Topkapi or Dolmabahce Palace
8- Why Is Topkapi Palace Closed
So let’s dive into current news and my organic inference as @atourguideinconstantinople to increase your experience at Topkapi Palace Museum.
How To Visit Topkapi Palace
- Location. There are a couple effective ways to get to Topkapi Palace. If you’re staying or planning to stay near the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern or Blue Mosque; the building is only 10 – 15 minute walking distance to Topkapi Palace. It’s actually located right behind the Hagia Sophia. (Here’s precise location from Google Maps.)
If you are not close to it, you have to get yourself to Tram 1 and leave it in Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) station or leave the Tram 1 at Gulhane station (The stop before Blue Mosque or after If you’re heading from opposite direction). Through the garden (park), you will follow the ramp of Istanbul Archaeology Museum and get inside to first courtyard.
- How Long Does It Takes To Visit Topkapı Palace. The Palace settling down around 700.000 square meter area and without Professional help, you might get lost or even worst, consume your entire day. While we passing through the courtyards, I’m usually clarifying the plan and on the way back, as a group, we are sufficiently visiting the sections which had more interest in my tours. In addition to 4 massive courtyards, there are several exhibitions each and every single one of them.
If you are going to visit the palace by your own, it’s sincerely recommended to check the map below and decide your goals inside the Topkapi Palace (also you might want to make your research about the items on exhibition). As a professional tour guide, my certain advise, even in your 2nd or 3rd time, is definetly get some knowledgeable tour guide.
How Much Does It Costs To Visit Topkapi Palace (Entrance Fee 2023)
Here’s the current prices of the Topkapi Palace Museum in 2023:
- Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene (Combine Ticket I). The ticket covers the audio guide. Ticket are also valid for 1 day from the date of purchase.
Cost: 500 Turkish Lira (about 27 $ or 25 € *It might be different when the you reading) per person. (You can also check the current fees from here)
- Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem (Combine Ticket II) This ticket will cover all the sites at the Topkapi Palace Museum. Includes audio guide.
Cost: 650 Turkish Lira (about 34 $ or 32 € *It might be different when the you reading) per person.
- Harem Only. If you change your mind, inside the museum, you can buy your Harem tickets next to council building from the 2nd courtyard (Blue Office).
Cost: 225 Turkish Lira (about 12 $ or 11 € *It might be different when the you reading) per person.
- Hagia Irene Only. It’s also possible to visit only Hagia Irene building inside the 1st courtyard of the Topkapı Museum (If you have Combine I or II, you don’t need to buy this again).
Cost: 225 Turkish Lira (about 9,42 $ or almost 9 € *It might be different when the you reading) per person.
Unfortunately there isn’t any Website where you can purchase your tickets and palace do not selling them online. Those sites which being listed on your search engine are working with local travel agencies so you need to find them to get yourself inside.
Where To Buy Topkapi Palace Tickets
You can buy your ticket from the 1st courtyard of the Topkapi Palace Museum. I have been working in tourism industry since 2007-2008 season. Instead of persuade you to join me in my tours, I have responsibilities to let you know about what options do you have. So here’s your options to visit Topkapi Palace:
- You can purchase digital museum pass for 5 days in Istanbul. Instead of losing time to physicaly buying the same cards on the site, you can order it to your mobile phone. It’s pratical and user friendly. Covering several attractions such as Galata Tower, Istanbul Archaeologyy Museums etc. For 1750 Turkish Lira per person (currently 91.25 $ or 84 € *It might change). Downsides; You have to pay extra for audio guide. You don’t have a chance to be with actual tour guide (so you’re all alone). (If you still want to buy.)
- You can buy your tickets from the 1st courtyard of the museum inside the Topkapi Palace. All you have to do is, passing from the security check and next to museum shops, you will notice the queue for the tickets. In that case, It will cost you 500 Turkish Lira (about 27 $ or 25 € *It might be different when the you reading) per person. Audio Guide is including the tickets (you have to leave your ID, Passport or Cash to get it as deposit). It’s piece of cake to use them. Downsides: Audio guide is not providing sophisticated details. You have to wait in the lines for 3-4 times to get inside the museum (1-Security, 2-To Buy Tickets, 3- For Audio Guides, 4- Ticket check)
- You can hire a tour guide. Tour guides has priority to purchase your tickets without waiting in the lines. If you have one, depending your interest, you can manage to visit building within 1 hour. Especially in my tours, I am giving my guests their free times to reach maximum experience at the Topkapi Museum. So they can feel free to visit building until closing, without rush. Downsides: It’s hard to name the pricing of the tours. There’re some private guiding options in Istanbul or with group. And you have to find your own tour guide who’s capable of touring in Topkapi Palace. (Please do not hire anyone who has not owner of the official guiding licence, always get a contract and ask your receive after your payment done.)
Is There A Dress Code For Topkapi Palace
Yes, there’re several exhibtions has to be visited with certain dress code. Which exhibitions specificly requires:
- Masjid of the Harem (Located inside the Harem before Golden Road),
- Holy Islamic Relics (Located at the 3rd Courtyard,
- Masjid of Sofa (Located at the 4th Courtyard).
The scarves will only be provided to visit Holy Islamic Relics Section. The Ladies has to cover their hair with head scarves, dressing has to cover upper body and under knees as much as possible.
Here’s the little list of clothes are OK to wear in these sections:
- Jeans, Shorts under the knee (for both W&M), Skirt under the knee as much as possible, Long dress, Shirts (under the elbow of both W&M) and leggings are alright when you complete it with some baggy shirts.
Can You Take Pictures Inside Topkapi Palace
Absolutely! You should… Here’s my top 5 location in Topkapi Palace where you should take your social media pictures as much as you can.
- Before the 2nd Gate (The Gate of Salutation)
- Grand Hall of the Harem
- Balcony of the Harem with Galata Tower
- Right side of the 4th Courtyard with the astonishing view of Bosphorus
- Left side from the 4 courtyard with Golden Horn, Galata Bridge and Galata Tower.
Is The Topkapi Palace Harem Worth It
Worth for every single penny! Private chamber of the Ottoman Sultans, The Room of the Mother Queen, Bathhouses, Grand Hall … list goes on and on.
You have to consider adding at least 45 minutes to your visit only if you’re planning to visit Harem.
Easiest way to visit Harem is; after you get inside from the ticket checks, you might want to dive into Harem from left side of the courtyard (Under the Tower of Justice, next to Impeial Council).
It looks like maze in the beginning but do not let it scare you (If you’re with me, that’s going to be different experience). Follow the route and let it takes you until the next (3rd) courtyard.
Which Is Better Topkapi or Dolmabahce
It depens on your expectations. The Topkapı Palace founded 1478 and construction continued until 19th centuries. Therefore, there are a lot of shades of find out. In architecture, may be in the patterns of the tiles or pen work crafted on the ceiling.
Dolmabahce built between 1843 to 1856. It’s inspired from mostly European architecture.
If I were in your shoes, I would visit them both (1st Topkapı, then Dolmabahce).
It’s hard to pick one. Technically Dolmabahce designed wisely and more modern comparing Topkapı Palace. If you have been some Palaces such as Palace of Versailles or Buckingham Palace, you wont feel yourself foreigner at Dolmabahce.
If you are looking something more authentic, you should be heading to Topkapi Palace then.
Why Is Topkapi Palace Closed
Tuesdays are weekly off days for visiting the Topkapi Palace. Palace opens at 09.00 am and working until 18.00 pm (Ticket Offices closing at 17.00 pm).
In addition to that, you might want to beware about the others:
- The First Days of the New Years
- 1st Day of the Ramadan Holiday (April 21th, 2023)
- 1st Day of the Feast of Sacrifice (June 28th, 2023)
Do You Need Tour Guide
As a travel enthusiast and a professional tour guide, I have always cared for the needs of my guests. Therefore it’s my duty to defend your interests. Being actively on the field for many years brought me above the certain level of knowledge. I have already faced and dealt with the issues you can possibly come across with. I also did absorb the history of the building to create and prove my difference. The travelers who trusted me, received my full support and hospitality. In addition to setting their goals in the city where I was born, I did also shed light to show the ways of managing their time in the most efficient ways. Use my experience in order to feel confident as if it’s your own city!
All you have to do is texting these words;
“I need a tour guide”
Oğulcan ÖZDİL, Founder & Professional Tour Guide