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Istanbul: Topkapi Palace and Harem Guided Tour with Ticket

4.8 (1154 Reviews)

Starting From

₹ 5,950 per adult

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Explore the Topkapi Palace and its Harem on this guided tour that includes skip-the-line tickets. Uncover the Ottoman royal family's history in the iconic palace and their private life at the Harem.

About this activity

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Reserve now & pay later:

Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.

Duration 3.0 hour

Check availability to see starting times.

Live tour guide

English,German

Choose from available dates

Details on this Activity

Itinerary

Join shared group or private guided tour to explore the opulent Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and delve into the secrets of the legendary Harem. Bypass the queues and step into the heart of the Ottoman Empire with skip-the-line tickets. Explore the majestic palace complex, a world unto itself, boasting an array of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards where the elite of the empire resided. Wander through the outer-terraced gardens, soaking in panoramic vistas of the iconic Golden Horn. As you stroll through the palace's corridors, imagine the grandeur of the ruling Sultans who once inhabited its countless rooms, surrounded by their extensive families and retinue of servants. Venture into the enigmatic Harem, under the governance of the Queen Mother, where hundreds of women and family members resided alongside a legion of eunuchs, each fulfilling their designated roles. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship adorning the Harem, from cupboard doors embellished with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell to the exquisite Iznik tiles adorned with floral motifs and Quranic verses, a testament to the artisans' skill and devotion. Concluding the tour, delve into the realm of sacred relics and immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of the empire at the imperial kitchens. Gain insights into Ottoman history and the intricacies of life within the Harem, as you unravel the mysteries of this captivating era. Starting From Galataport Option for Cruise Guests If you are on a cruise holiday with a stop in Istanbul, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich history of the city. Choose the Galataport cruise port as your meeting point, where your guide will meet you upon arrival. From Galataport, take a tram to the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood with your guide. Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace and explore the Harem section, with pre-reserved entry tickets for a smooth and enriching experience.

Highlights

Explore the iconic Ottoman Topkapi Palace in Istanbul with your guide
Benefit from an exclusive guided tour with skip-the-line entry tickets
Learn about the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire and its leaders
Explore the Harem, the private quarters, and the home of the sultans
Admire the beautiful views of the Golden Horn from the outer terraces

Know before you go

• All visitors must pass through airport-style security • Topkapi Palace may close without prior notice for high-level state visits • Topkapi Palace is a vast complex and this tour is focused on its highlights. However, if you wish to explore all sections at your leisure, you should book a morning tour, allocating the afternoon to explore the Palace grounds • Tickets are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes • Please be advised that it is not possible to join the tour after it has commenced • This tour is not suitable for strollers. • Please note that the 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available only for cruise guests.

Includes


Tour guide Shared or private walking tour (depending on the option chosen) Skip-the-line ticket for Topkapi Palace Skip-the-line ticket for the private Harem section Starting from Galata Port (if selected option) Headsets

Reviews from other travelers

Makenna - United States

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-27)

We had an incredible experience on our four-hour tour with Murat as our guide! Murat was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of the Sultans, the Topkapi Palace, and the Haram, which we toure (Read More)d in detail. His deep understanding of Istanbul’s rich history made the tour both educational and engaging. Murat was also fantastic at answering all of our questions, no matter how detailed or broad, ensuring we had a thorough understanding of everything we saw. He went above and beyond by providing us with a list of excellent food and activity recommendations in the area, which we truly appreciated. His passion for the city and its history shone through, making him an awesome tour guide. We highly recommend this tour and Murat to anyone visiting Istanbul!

Thomas - Germany

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-02)

The tour with Murat was very entertaining and he was great at conveying interesting details to us. The group size of 7 participants was ideal, we didn't need headphones as he was easy to understand (e (Read More)xcellent English).

John - United States

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-07)

The tour was outstanding!!!! Lots of detail, easy to listen to and understand. Knew answers to all questions and made it a fun tour. Very informative, great stories attentive to questions and gave goo (Read More)d answers, and pointed out many interesting sites, that I would have missed by myself I would take a tour again with Emre.

Janet - United States

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-13)

The tour was great. Murat was very knowledgeable about the palace and the history of the Ottomans. He kept a easy good pace and we feel we got the full experience.

GetYourGuide traveler - India

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-03)

The tour was amazing and the guide Kubra Demir was very knowledgeable and fantastic . Was lucky to have her as my guide 😊👍🏼

Tina - Germany

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-01)

The complex is beautiful and definitely worth a visit. Very well maintained, well organized and very culturally interesting. The exhibits are also worth a look, for me especially the treasury and the (Read More)relics. You should definitely take a guided tour, our guide Ali shared information with us that wasn't in the guidebook. He also had a very humorous manner and the anecdotes he shared really enriched the trip. My highlight was the Haarem and the information about the daily life of the Sultan's family. Be sure to also see the Church of St. Irene. The bones of Emperor Constantine may be hidden here in the purple sarcophagus.

Doris - Austria

5 /5

(Written on 2024-11-01)

The 3-hour tour of Topkapi Palace is highly recommended. Our guide Ali gave us a good overview of the huge complex and provided us with lots of interesting information. You could spend many more hours (Read More) here discovering all the buildings and the treasures hidden within, but the afternoon tour was perfect for a first impression. According to Ali, there were already far fewer visitors in the complex on our tour at 1:00 p.m. than in the morning. 5 stars!

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₹5,950 per adult