Topkapi Palace is located in one of the oldest historical areas of Istanbul. Situated on the historic Istanbul Peninsula, between the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn, the palace is one of Istanbul’s iconic structures. Built on a 700,000 square meter area on the Eastern Roman acropolis at Sarayburnu, Topkapi Palace served as the center of administration, education, and arts for the empire, as well as the residence of the sultans, for almost four centuries until the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, the 31st Ottoman sultan.
After the imperial family moved to Dolmabahce Palace in the mid-19th century, Topkapi Palace was abandoned but retained its historical significance and value.
After the founding of the Republic of Turkey, Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum on April 3, 1924, becoming the first museum of the Republic. Today, Topkapi Palace, excluding Gülhane Park, covers an area of about 350,000 square meters. With its buildings, architecture, collections, and nearly 300,000 archival documents, it is one of the largest museum-palaces in the world.
VISIT INFORMATION
Closed Days: Tuesday
Ticket Office Opening Hours: 09:00 AM
Ticket Office Closing Hours: 05:00 PM
OPEN AND CLOSED DAYS DURING OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
- April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day: Open for visit
- May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day: Open for visit
- First Day of Ramadan: Closed for visit
- Second Day of Ramadan: Open for visit
- Third Day of Ramadan: Open for visit
- May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: Open for visit
- July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: Open for visit
- Second Day of Eid al-Adha: Open for visit
- Third Day of Eid al-Adha: Open for visit
- Fourth Day of Eid al-Adha: Open for visit
- August 30 Victory Day: Open for visit
- October 29 Republic Day: Open for visit
- First Day of Eid al-Adha: Closed for visit
- New Year’s Day: Open for visit
TICKET PRICES
Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Aya Irini + Harem)
- Local Visitor Ticket Price: 350 TRY
- Foreign Visitor Ticket Price: 2000 TRY
- Discounted Ticket Price: 150 TRY
Harem
- Local Visitor Ticket Price: 200 TRY
- Foreign Visitor Ticket Price: 750 TRY
- Discounted Ticket Price: 100 TRY
Aya Irini
- Local Visitor Ticket Price: 150 TRY
- Foreign Visitor Ticket Price: 750 TRY
- Discounted Ticket Price: 75 TRY
School Student Groups
- Discounted Ticket Price: 60 TRY
Night Tour
- Local Visitor Ticket Price: 1000 TRY
- Foreign Visitor Ticket Price: 5000 TRY
Museum Card
The Museum Card is valid for all palaces, kiosks, pavilions, museums, and historical factories under the National Palaces Administration, with some exceptions.
The Museum Card is not valid for:
- The Harem and Aya Irini sections of Topkapi Palace
- The Selamlik section of Dolmabahce Palace
- Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum under the National Palaces
- Küçüksu Pavilion Picnic Area and Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion Picnic Area.
Combined Ticket Information:
- Topkapi Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 day from the date of purchase.
- Dolmabahce Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 month from the date of purchase. Within this period, the same venue can only be visited once.
Free Entrance:
- All visitors aged 0-6 (both local and foreign) can enter for free to palaces, kiosks, pavilions, museums, and historical factories.
- Students between the ages of 07-25 who present a student ID are eligible for discounted tickets.
- Turkish and Northern Cyprus citizens aged 18-25 are eligible for discounted tickets at Topkapi Palace.
- Foreign students pay twice the price of the discounted ticket.
- Foreign students aged 12-25 must show their International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Free Entrance for Local/Foreign Visitors:
- Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum, Ankara Palas Museum, and Küçüksu Pavilion Picnic Area are free for visitors under 12 years old.
Thematic Tours:
- Thematic tours are conducted with a minimum of 3 full-price tickets.
Closed Days for Palaces, Pavilions, and Kiosks:
- When official holidays and religious festivals fall on days when the palaces, pavilions, and kiosks are closed, these venues will be closed to visitors as well.
Prohibited Items:
- It is prohibited to enter the palaces, pavilions, and kiosks with firearms (including law enforcement).
