Topkapı Palace was the home of the Ottoman sultans and the heart of their empire for almost four centuries. Set on the tip of the historic peninsula at Sarayburnu, with views over the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, it is today one of the largest and richest palace museums in the world.
Here is what you need to know about its history, what to see inside and how to plan your visit.
History of Topkapı Palace
Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih) ordered the palace soon after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Construction began around 1460 on the site of the ancient acropolis of Byzantion, and the main buildings were completed in 1478. The palace grounds originally covered some 700,000 square metres.
For nearly 400 years Topkapı was the administrative, educational and artistic centre of the Ottoman Empire. Sultans, their families and thousands of servants, soldiers and officials lived and worked here. In the mid-nineteenth century the court moved to the new Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus, and in 1924, after the founding of the Republic, Topkapı opened as a museum.
Layout: gates and courtyards
The palace is not one building but a series of pavilions, kitchens, halls and gardens arranged around four courtyards, each more private than the last. You enter through the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun) near Hagia Sophia, into the first courtyard, home to the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene. The Gate of Salutation leads into the second courtyard, where the museum entrance is.
Over time many buildings were added in the outer gardens, including the Tiled Kiosk, the Basketmakers' Kiosk and other pavilions. Read our guide to the Topkapı Palace courtyards for a courtyard-by-courtyard walk.
What to see in Topkapı Palace
The museum's collection runs to hundreds of thousands of objects, from porcelain, silverware and manuscripts to portraits of the sultans, personal belongings and unique artefacts from around the world. Highlights include:
- The Harem, the private quarters of the sultan's family, with tiled rooms, courtyards and apartments. It requires a separate ticket.
- The Imperial Treasury, with the Topkapı Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond.
- The Chamber of Sacred Relics, holding objects associated with the Prophet Muhammad.
- The palace kitchens and their collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.
- The Imperial Council Hall, where the viziers met.
- The Baghdad and Revan kiosks and the terraces of the fourth courtyard, with views over the Bosphorus.
Tickets and tips for your visit
Allow at least two to three hours for the main palace, and more if you visit the Harem as well. Entrance fees and opening hours change often, so check the current details on the official website before you visit. The palace has been included in the Museum Pass Istanbul; see what the Museum Card is and check the current list of covered sites.
- Arrive early to beat the tour groups, especially in summer.
- Wear comfortable shoes; there is a lot of walking on cobbles and stairs.
- Some rooms, such as the Sacred Relics, call for quiet and respectful behaviour.
- Combine your visit with Hagia Sophia, a few minutes' walk away, and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums just below the palace walls.
How to get to Topkapı Palace
Take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet or Gülhane and walk a few minutes past Hagia Sophia to the Imperial Gate. From the Bosphorus, you can see the palace on its hill as you sail past Sarayburnu, one of the classic views of a private Bosphorus yacht cruise.
For the full story of the palace with a local guide, join the Istanbul old city tour.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit Topkapi Palace?
Allow at least two to three hours for the main palace, and more if you also visit the Harem.
Do I need a separate ticket for the Harem?
Yes, the Harem has its own ticket in addition to the palace. Check the current options on the official website before you go.
Who lived in Topkapi Palace?
The Ottoman sultans, their families and the court lived here from the fifteenth century until the move to Dolmabahçe Palace in the mid-nineteenth century.
Where is Topkapi Palace?
It is at Sarayburnu on the historic peninsula, next to Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet. The nearest tram stops are Sultanahmet and Gülhane on the T1 line.
End your sightseeing day on the water
After the old city, see the palaces and mansions from the Bosphorus on a private sunset yacht cruise, only for your group.