Topkapı Palace

Taflı★★★★★★★★★★5.0a week ago

One of the most impressive stops on our Istanbul trip was Topkapi Palace. We visited the palace as part of our tour, and thanks to our guide's explanations, we had the opportunity to learn much more about both Ottoman history and the different sections of the palace. Construction of Topkapi Palace began after the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet). It served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the official residence of the sultans for nearly 400 years. Many of the empire’s most important decisions were made here, and meetings of the Imperial Council were held within its walls. As we walked through the courtyards, treasury halls, and historic chambers, it was a unique feeling to imagine that sultans, princes, royal women, grand viziers, and many other state officials once lived, worked, and walked through these very same corridors. Experiencing history in the place where it actually happened adds a special meaning to the visit. With its breathtaking views overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace offers a truly remarkable atmosphere. It is undoubtedly one of Istanbul’s must-see landmarks, both for its historical significance and its impressive architecture.

Mahmoud Sabbah★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

Visited Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and it felt like stepping into royal history. Every corner tells a story of the Ottoman Empire. Pros: Rich history: Sultans lived here for 400+ years. The palace halls and courtyards are amazing Rare artifacts: See Prophet Muhammad’s sword ﷺ, Holy Relics, Crown Jewels, and the famous jeweled dagger from the movie "Topkapi" Bosphorus view: The 4th courtyard view over Bosphorus is unreal. Perfect for photos Harem section: Extra ticket but 100% worth it to see how the Sultans lived Cons: Huge area: Needs 3-4 hours to see everything properly. Tiring Crowds: Jewel room always has a line, corridors get packed in season Tickets: Palace + Harem are separate tickets. Buy online to skip the queue Bottom line: 5 stars deserved. Topkapi isn’t just a museum, it’s a walk through the Sultan’s world. Must-visit in Istanbul if you love history. Go early at 9am to avoid crowds.

Lee-Anne Curtis-Cox★★★★★★★★★★5.03 weeks ago

Recommendation: One MUST, MUST go early - before 10h00 and buy the ticket that includes The Harem and Palace. Topkapi Palace was the most beautiful of the historical sites we visited while in Istanbul. We spent approximately 3.5 hours there, and by the time we exited, the queues to come in were incredibly long. We actually didn't even see the rooms housing the Treasury because there was a separate queue to go in there which we weren't willing to stand in. There's plenty of placards to read, so potentially the audio guide isn't needed. I don't know if we were dooped into buying tickets from another company outside the gardens, who told us you had to get tickets from an operator, and you couldn't buy the tickets separately either. They were well organized though, and took groups of tourists to the inside of the palace grounds every 30min. We also skipped the queues. However, I did see that you could buy tickets inside.

Debbie Li★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

This palace is a must see in Istanbul. The palace apartments are beautiful and the artifacts are so interesting and historically significant. The audio guide worked well and was very informative. The palace is massive. After the main palace there is also the Harem. So allow plenty of time, perhaps at least 4 hours to have a quick walk through everything. If you buy the museum pass, which is top value if you're visiting all of Turkiye, there is no wait. Otherwise go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Oeno Philia★★★★★★★★★★2.02 months ago

Deducted one star for the crowds. At the price charged for entry (TRY2750) they should be managing the crowds more carefully. Deducted one star for the lack of toilet facilities for ladies. A disgrace. At a property that takes 3 or 4 hours or more to visit almost everyone will need to use a loo. Be prepared to line up for at least 20 minutes to use a dirty toilet lacking toilet paper and paper to dry your hands after washing (… I always bring my own little towel). They need to at least quadruple the ladies toilets and have staff to maintain basic standards of hygiene. Deducted one star for the poor quality audioguide which was also dirty (again a hygiene concern). It was difficult to understand how to navigate the audioguide and it lacked headphones. They really need to figure out a better system to help people appreciate this complex and rich museum property. The grounds are beautiful with stunning views of the Bosphorus. I found the crowds overwhelming, particularly in the Harem, the holy relics and the treasures. My photos reflect the most pleasurable moments of the visit.