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Topkapi Palace: Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets & Exploration of the Ottoman History
5.0
13 Ratings
Fatih
Explore the Topkapi Palace on a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets. Learn about Ottoman history and the life of the Sultan's family in the harem. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Ottoman Empire and admire the stunning views over the Golden Horn.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Topkapi Palace - Topkapi Palace Museum / Topkapı Sarayı More than just an Imperial Residence of Ottoman Sultans, it was the seat of the Supreme Executive and Judiciary Council for almost 400 years long. Topkapi Palace is a great monument of Oriental architecture which resembles the power of the Ottoman Empire.
- Topkapı Sarayı Harem Dairesi - Visit the harem, ruled by the Queen Mother who wielded domestic and political power. The harem housed hundreds of women and family members as well as hundreds of eunuchs, who performed a wide range of duties.
Take a moment to spot the cupboard doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell. Walk through the Harem is also the only way to see the very early, exceptionally-crafted Iznik tiles decorated with floral designs and verses from the Quran.
What's Included
- Entrance to Topkapi Palace & Harem included
- Guided by a Professional Tour Guide
What's Not Included
- Transfer
- Food and Drinks
Additional Information
Discover the Topkapi Palace on a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets. Learn about Ottoman history in the Palace and the life of Sultan’s family in the harem.
Discover how the complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards was a self-contained city, which most inhabitants rarely left. Explore the outer-terraced gardens and admire the view over the Golden Horn.
Immerse yourself in the heart of the great Ottoman Empire. Stroll through the palace, and imagine the ruling Sultans who lived in its hundreds of rooms with their vast families and countless servants.
Visit the harem, ruled by the Queen Mother who wielded domestic and political power. The harem housed hundreds of women and family members as well as hundreds of eunuchs, who performed a wide range of duties.
Walk through the Harem is also the only way to see the very early, exceptionally-crafted Iznik tiles decorated with floral designs and verses from the Quran.
Location
Topkapı Cafe
Soğuk Çeşme Sokak
Meet your Tour Guide at the Topkapi Cafe. Outside Topkapi Palace, across the Carpet Museum.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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814iwonap
Apr 13, 2024
Wonderful experience with Elif at Topkapi - We went to visit Topkapi (skip the line). We had very good experience with the company. Efficient communication with all the updates. We had a guide - Elif. She was amazing. She cared about our family needs (as we had 10yrs old with us), she managed everything … crowds, our son’s moaning moments, hot weather ;) very grateful for the history knowledge and time together. Recommend 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
984alysons
Feb 3, 2024
Great tour with Canberk - Great experience all around! Tour company had clear communication and was happy to accommodate my day of booking. The guide, Canberk was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and friendly, and took the time to make sure we saw what I was most interested in. Recommend this tour for anyone wanting a closer look at Topkapi palace!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
142garyd
Jan 14, 2024
Topkapi palace at my pace and interest. - I had been to Topkapi Palace 25 years ago but didn’t see the harem rooms. I wanted a private tour so that I could just revisit bits of collection I liked and also the harem rooms. Since my hotel was near the palace, my guide met me at the hotel and we walked over and saw what I wanted and a few other items of historical interest with just the right amount of history from my guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager60343052864
Jan 8, 2024
Warm, personable tour of the palace - This tour was run for just me, even though it was booked as a group tour. Organisation reached out privately to arrange and was very pleasant. Mr Canberk was a wonderful guide - very personable - with excellent English. He knew much of the history of both the palace, and Istanbul as a whole. His wit and warmth were highly valued. Thanks so much - hope you enjoyed your evening shopping Canberk.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaisk188yd
Jan 4, 2024
Very individual experience thanks to Can - Our guide Canberk gave us a very individualized tour in a relaxed and calme way, trying to avoid the crowds and exposing his broad knowledge of the Sultans' lifes, among witty comments and realistic descriptions. He clearly likes his job, being with a small group where he perfectly responded to what we wanted to see and know. Thank you, Can!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bghosh2022
Dec 17, 2023
Excellent experience - Our guide was very helpful and informative. It was an amazing experience, we will definitely recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Audristan
Dec 10, 2023
Thorough, informative and well organised tour - The tour ran very smoothly right after I booked on Viator. Burak contacted me over Whatsapp to provide my guide's name, number and Google maps location of Topkapi Cafe to meet at the next day. Canberk subsequently reached out to me over WhatsApp too.
Canberk was my guide and while it was just the 2 of us, it was a very informative and thorough tour. We also deftly skipped the crowds to focus on other areas of Topkapi Palace first. The pacing and tour was just right.
As Topkapi is rather large with many different sections, I would recommend this tour to other visitors who would prefer to have an interactive and informative guide over an audioguide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cathy_k
Nov 30, 2023
Terrific tour! - Jan was a great guide. Very knowledgeable about all the rooms at the palace and the history behind the exhibits. Took an enormous amount of time with me and was gracious with all my questions. I felt like I was spending time with a friend I’d know forever. It was a perfect tour.
Review provided by Viator
David_r
Oct 19, 2023
Great couple hours - The palace is a terrific view into the life and times of the Sultan’s life. The museums are well designed and easy to view at leisure.
Review provided by Viator
Luqmaan_h
Aug 16, 2023
Excellent. Informative. - My tour guide Burak was amazing. I was impressed with his knowledge of the history of so many other parts of the world which he could relate to the tour. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
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