Topkapi Palace Guided Tours

Visit the Ottoman sultans' imperial residence of 400+ years, a UNESCO site, with an expert and an audio guide.

• Everything you get: Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace, a 1-hour guided tour led by an English-speaking guide, access to the Harem Section, an audio guide for iOS and Android available in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
• Why choose this: See more in less time with smooth entry and guided exploration, allowing you to focus on the highlights while gaining clear historical context and a deeper understanding of the vast Ottoman Empire through thoughtfully curated narration.
• Upgrades: Enhance your visit with a small-group historian-guided tour, offering richer historical context, expert insights, and a more personal, engaging experience of the palace.

Inclusions

• Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
• 1-hour guided tour
• English-speaking guide
• Access to Harem Section
• Audio guide for IOS & Android in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish
• Small-group historian-guided tour (as per option selected)

What to bring

• Download the audio guide application in advance to ensure smooth access, as mobile connectivity at the site may be unreliable.
• Bring your own earphones to enjoy the audio narration clearly and without interruptions.

Additional information

• Entry tickets allow priority access, but all visitors must still go through the mandatory security screening, which may take up to an hour during busy periods.
• The audio guide app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and is offered in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
• Children may be required to show valid passports at the museum entrance to confirm eligibility based on age.
• Admission with a digital pass alone is not permitted; entry to the palace is only possible when accompanied by the tour host.
• Wearing a headset during the guided tour is compulsory, so please carry a valid ID card, which will be temporarily held while the equipment is in use and returned after the tour concludes.

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

• Book this combo package for a guided tour of the Blue Mosque and skip-the-line access to Topkapi Palace and witness both sites within a span of 2 days.
• Skip the lines to visit the 15th-century Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans, and discover ancient jewels, weaponry, and Chinese porcelain.
• Explore the Holy Relics chamber, which houses precious items of historical figures like Prophet Muhammad, Moses, and David.
• Take a stroll along the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness the white calligraphy of Quranic verses on the domes.
• Learn from your guide about the 20,000 handmade Iznik blue tiles covering the mosque walls, and find out more about the 6 intricately engraved minarets.
• Upgrade your ticket and enter Basilica Cistern, an underground water reservoir of Constantinople.

Inclusions

Topkapi Palace

• Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
• 1-hr guided tour of the Topkapi Palace
• Access to Topkapi Palace's Harem section
• English-speaking guide
• Audio guide app in 10 languages

Blue Mosque

• 1-hr guided tour of the Blue Mosque
• English-speaking guide
• Audio guide app in 10 languages

Guided tour of Basilica Cistern (optional)

Topkapi Palace

• Tip: Don't miss the intricate miniatures portraying religious texts, court scenes of Sultans, and the very first map of the world made in 1513.
• It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes as this experience involves a fair amount of walking.

Blue Mosque

• Tip: Check out the multiple chandeliers with ostrich eggs, ingeniously used to repel spiders and prevent cobwebs inside the mosque.
• This tour is not available on Tuesdays.
• There could be a waiting line during peak seasons at Blue Mosque which may take up to 60 mins.
• Scarves and body covers can be purchased at the entrance for 1€ and 3€ respectively.

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

• If you're short on time in Istanbul, the combo packs a 1-hour walking tour of the Old City, entry to the Hagia Sophia, and a cruise down the Bosphorus.
• Learn about how the Roman Empire once held chariot races in what is now the Sultanahmet Square as you walk its streets.
• You'll also see the Topkapi Palace, once the home of Ottoman sultans for centuries, and now a museum housing their greatest treasures.
• At the Hagia Sophia, your audio guide will tell you about its history as a church and a museum as you spot the Seraphim murals and Islamic calligraphy on its dome.
• Dive deeper into Istanbul's history with a multilingual audio guide on a Bosphorus cruise, spotting Ottoman structures like the Rumeli Fortress.

Inclusions

• 1-hour walking tour of Istanbul Old City
• English-speaking guide
• Skip-the-line entry to Topkapi Palace
• Access to the Harem section
• Audio guide for Topkapi Palace in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German
• 90-minute Bosphorus Cruise
• Audio guide for cruise in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese
• Map of Bosphorus for cruise

Exclusions

• Guided tour of Topkapi Palace
• Entry to Hagia Sophia

Walking tour

Sultanahmet Square | Hippodrome | Blue Mosque | Topkapi Palace | Hagia Sophia | Grand Bazaar

Bosphorus cruise

Galata Tower | Dolmabahce Palace | Ciragan Palace| Ortakoy Mosque | Bosphorus Bridge | Beylerbeyi Palace | Uskudar | Maiden Tower | Topkapi Palace | Hagia Sophia | Seaside Villas

• Tip:
• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
• Choose safety and comfort: This experience is not the best fit for mobility issues.
• This tour focuses on the exteriors of landmarks and the stories behind them. Entrance fees to Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern are not included.
• You can choose to take the Bosphorus cruise on the same day or the next day. In addition to midday and afternoon departures, enjoy a special evening cruise at 6 PM, available from April to October.

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

Explore Istanbul’s top attractions with priority access and expert guidance; choose 1, 2, or all sites for a personalized, time-saving experience.

• Everything you get: Skip-the-line entry, 1-hour guided tour at each site, licensed English-speaking guide, and multilingual audio guide for all attractions.
• Why choose this: Tailor your Istanbul experience by selecting iconic landmarks that match your interests, bypassing the crowds, and enjoying a smooth journey through the city's rich history for a more enriching and time-efficient visit.
• Upgrades: Get exclusive access to areas like the Topkapi Palace Harem or the Hagia Sophia Upper Gallery, or extend your tour for a more in-depth, personalized experience.

Inclusions

• Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, & Basilica Cistern (access 1, 2, 3, or all, as per option selected)
• 1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, & Basilica Cistern (access 1, 2, 3, or all, as per option selected)
• Licensed expert English-speaking guide for all attractions
• Multilingual audio guide (iOS and Android) for all attractions (as per option selected)
• Access to the Hagia Sophia Upper Gallery (as per option selected)
• Access to the Topkapi Palace Harem (as per option selected)
• Access to Topkapi Palace Museum (as per option selected)

Exclusions

• Hotel pick-up & drop-off
• Food & drinks
• Tips/gratuities (optional)

What to bring

• Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes with good grip, as some areas (especially in the Basilica Cistern) may be wet or slippery.
• Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; women should bring a scarf or shawl to cover their heads at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
• Carry a small bag to hold your shoes when entering the Blue Mosque, as shoes must be removed before entry.
• Bring wired earphones or headphones for the audio guide app, as Bluetooth may not work underground.
• Bring cash for small purchases, such as scarves or body covers at mosque entrances, and for nearby cafés or souvenirs.
• Consider bringing a light jacket or sweater, as the Basilica Cistern remains cool and damp even in summer (June to August).

What’s not allowed

• Large bags, backpacks, food, and drinks are not permitted inside any of the sites.
• Flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed inside the landmarks.
• Shoes must be removed before entering the Blue Mosque and are not allowed indoors.
• Modest attire is required at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque; clothing that exposes shoulders or knees is not permitted.
• Some areas of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque may be closed to visitors during prayer times.

Accessibility

• The tour is not fully wheelchair accessible. Most sites have uneven flooring, steps, or cobblestone paths that make independent access challenging or unsafe for wheelchair users.

Additional information

• All visitors must pass through mandatory security checks at each site, even with skip-the-line tickets. Wait times can be up to 60 minutes during peak hours (June to August).
• Scarves and body covers are available for purchase at the entrance of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia for approximately €1 to €3, if needed.
• Hagia Sophia is closed to tourists on Fridays from 12pm to 2:30pm for Friday prayer; plan your visit accordingly.
• The ground floor of Hagia Sophia is reserved for prayers, while the Upper Gallery is open to visitors (when accessible).

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