Historical Places in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace

Istanbul Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace is located in Sultanahmet center.

Topkapi Palace was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Palace served as the home of the Ottoman sultans and their court until the middle of the 19th century.

After the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmed the Conqueror at 1453, construction of the Topkapı Palace was started at the year 1460 and completed at 1478 . Palace was built upon a 700.000 squaremeters area on an Eastern Roman Acropolis located at the Istanbul Peninsula between Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Topkapı Palace, was the administrative, educational and art center of the Empire for nearly four hundred years since Mehmed the Conqueror until Sultan Abdulmecid who is the thirty-first Sultan. Although Palace was abandoned by the Ottoman Dynasty by moving to the Dolmabahce Palace at middle 19th century, Topkapı Palace was protected its importance everytime.

Important Information

Museum Information:

Museum is open everyday except Tuesdays. Museum is also closed at first days of the religious festive days untill afternoon.

Sacred Relics Department:

We ask that you refrain from entering the Sacred Relics Department with shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, or strapless clothing.

Hagia Irene:

Hagia Irene Church, which is located at first courtyard of The Topkapi Palace, is opened to visit for visitors. The Hagia Irene Church can be visited as individual visitor from now on. Ticket Price is 20 TL for one person.

Harem Section:

If you want to visit Harem you have to buy a seperate ticket from the ticket booths where stands outside of the museum or in front of the Harem entrance. Ticket Price for one person for the Harem entrance is 25 TL.

How To Get To Topkapi Palace

You can also reach the sultan by using the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line which passes through Sirkeci and Eminönü. For this you need to get to the Sultanahmet tram stop. From this tram stop, the palace entrance gate is about 10 minutes walk away.

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee?

Museum Entry Fee: 35 TL.
Harem Entry Fee: 25 TL.
Entrance Aya Irini Ticket: 20 TL.
Note: Museum Card is valid.

Topkapi Palace Travel Plan Click To See...