Landmarks

Topkapi Palace & Harem Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Hagia Irene in the first courtyard of Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, with historic architecture.

Topkapi Palace courtyard with ornate tile walls and arches, Istanbul.

Tour group with guide at Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, near ornate tiled wall.

Visitor using audio guide at Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

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.

4.1/5

(6,871)

Bertrand

May 2025

Verified booking

The Topkapi Palace is very beautiful and the visit can be made at leisure. However, we had to wait half an hour at the ticket office before we could get in, as there is no individual accompaniment. In addition, given the number of visitors, the site lacks toillettes, which causes a lot of waiting. We didn't have an audioguide, and the guide didn't give us time to pick them up if they had to be picked up at a specific point.

Mena

Jul 2025

Verified booking

Both experiences were great and wonderful to have. The ticketing process was great. Definitely must see places. I would have loved to be able to have the audio to be provided by an individual listening devices without me having to download to my phone. It made it difficult for me to share the audio with the other 4 people in my group, 2 of them being children who don't have phones. As well as internet access being spotty.

Peta

Jun 2025

Verified booking

ticketing experience was excellent. Our guide, Derek was very informative and extremely responsive to the group. The pace was perfect for a busy hot day. He explained the history of the Palace and his knowledge of the museums was extremely helpful for when we toured later on our own. Overall we would give Derek 10 our of 10 for his knowledge and service to us and the group as a whole.

Skip the lines and fall in love with the incredible 15th-century Topkapi Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, marveling at the expensive tastes of the Ottoman sultans.

See priceless jewels, rich living quarters, and beautiful architecture. Learn more with an audio guide available in 5 languages.

Explore the peaceful gardens, pavilions, hidden sanctuaries, kitchens, and more.

Elevate your experience by upgrading your ticket to enjoy a guided tour of Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace with an English-speaking guide.

Fun fact: The Byzantine Church of Hagia Eirene was located in the first courtyard of the palace but was converted into an armory.

Skip-the-line entry into Topkapı Palace

Access to Harem Museum

Audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

The services of a representative who will lead you to the entrance

2-hour guided tour of Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern with entry tickets (optional)

English-speaking guide (optional)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

How do we collect reviews?
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6,871 ratings
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Guests from United States, France, United Kingdom and over 88 countries have loved this experience
Giuseppe
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The tour to the imperial palace and harem was nothing short of fantastic the guide greeted us at the appointed time and walked us all the way inside the area explained the entire tour and then left us free to visit the palace on our own. An experience absolutely not to be missed.
Radu
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
An enjoyable experience all round. The Topkapi Palace with its harem and beautiful gardens, beautiful view of the Bosphorus and outstanding collections. A pleasant time of the day with a guide who provided the necessary information, superlative appreciation.
Sala
May, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Quick and easy purchase. Even faster entry with skip the line up organized . I really liked the gardens and the overview from the terraces the ballroom and the doctor's residence hall
Ernest
May, 2025Verified booking
5/5
It was great to have tickets up front as that meant we would have had be in two queues - this way we got in faster. The Topkapi Palace & Harem are not to be missed.
Monastyrskyy
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Very nice historical place.

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 English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

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 & Basilica Cistern Guided Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace, starting with the iconic Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir located in the heart of Istanbul. 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.

Topkapi Palace

Monday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Thursday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Friday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Saturday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm
Sunday	09:00am - 06:00pm	last entry 05:00pm

Basilica Cistern

Monday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Tuesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Wednesday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Thursday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Friday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Saturday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm
Sunday	09:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 06:30pm

What to bring

Please bring your headphones to listen to the audio guide.

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 inside the palace.

Be sure to arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time.

The audio guide app is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. You'll find instructions on how to use the audio guide app in your ticket voucher.

Please note that there is limited internet at the museum/pier so download the audio guide app before your visit. The app does not require internet once it has been downloaded (ensure your GPS is activated).

Enter the palace and stay as long as you want until its closing time of 5pm.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

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.

Meeting point

Show your ticket at Chimney Bistro.

Address: Cankurtaran, Soğuk Çeşme Sk. No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Get directions to the meeting point