




Duration
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Audio guide
Guided tour
4.4/5
(3,879)
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Tour the UNESCO World Heritage site – Topkapı Palace along with an expert multilingual local guide and enjoy priority admission with skip-the-line access.
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Explore the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans.
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Admire the lavish interiors, see the brilliant artifacts on display, and bask in the glory of the Ottoman Era.
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Visit the Harem section and see the lavishly decorated marble hallways, and arched doorways with over 400 rooms!
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Fun Fact: The Palace has 20 chimneys in the kitchen, where roughly 800 employees worked making this the largest kitchen in the Ottoman Empire at the time.
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Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
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1-hour guided tour
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English-speaking guide
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Access to Harem Section
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Audio guide for IOS & Android in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish
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Small-group historian-guided tour (as per option selected)
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- 3,879 reviews4.4
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
2.8K471160164270Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 10 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Nadja
Jan 2026Verified booking5/5Gianandrea
Jan 2026Verified booking5/5Annabelle
Jan 2026Verified booking4/5Francesca
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5Tamara
Nov 2025Verified booking5/5
Discover Topkapi Palace with smooth entry and guided storytelling that brings centuries of Ottoman history to life, all while making the most of your time inside.
Getting started
Meet your host near the main entrance of Topkapi Palace, close to the Imperial Gate, where you’ll be welcomed and guided through the entry process. While all visitors must pass through the mandatory security screening, your host will help coordinate the entry smoothly and lead you inside once checks are complete.
Explore the heart of the Ottoman Empire
Step into the former imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans and uncover nearly four centuries of political power, royal life, and ceremonial grandeur as you move through courtyards, halls, and historic chambers.
Treasures, relics, and royal collections
Admire an extraordinary display of imperial weapons, ornate textiles, dazzling jewels, and rare artworks, along with one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain housed in the palace kitchens.
Sacred stories and legendary artifacts
Visit the Holy Relics Chamber to see revered objects tied to major historical and religious figures, offering a deeper cultural and spiritual dimension to your visit.
Inside the Harem
Explore the private world of the palace as you walk through the Harem, including the Queen Mother’s quarters, the Sultan’s apartments, ceremonial baths, and rooms that reveal the inner workings of court life behind closed doors.
What to bring
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Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.
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Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.
Additional information
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You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check. The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
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Audio app for IOS and Android is available in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
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Children will be asked to present their valid passports at the entrance of the museums in order to validate their age.
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This attraction cannot be accessed directly by presenting the digital Pass at the museum. You need to enter with the tour guide.
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All participants are required to use a headset during the guided tour, so a valid ID must be provided as a deposit and will be returned once the tour has ended.
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- Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
- Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
- Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
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