Topkapi Palace is a historic palace and museum in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district, built for Sultan Mehmed II after the conquest of Istanbul. A visit can include the palace, Hagia Irene and the Harem, so check the palace authority’s current visitor details before you go and choose your ticket accordingly.
- Location: Cankurtaran Mah. Babı Hümayun Cad. No: 1, Sultanahmet/Fatih, Istanbul.
- Weekly closure: Tuesday.
- Ticket-office hours: 09:00–17:00; these are not a full visitor-hours schedule.
- The combined ticket covers Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene and the Harem.
Where Topkapı Palace fits into an Istanbul visit
Sultan Mehmed II had Topkapı Palace built between 1460 and 1478, following the conquest of Istanbul. It became a museum on 3 April 1924, after the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye.
The palace grounds are described as 350,000 to 700,000 m², depending on whether Gülhane Park is included: the smaller figure excludes it.
Check current hours, tickets and closures
- Ticket
- office times, not a complete visitor-hours schedule
These are ticket-office times, not a complete visitor-hours schedule. Opening details, prices and ticket conditions can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday and Wednesday to Sunday: 9:00–17:00
- Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The combined ticket costs 500 TL for domestic visitors, 2,750 TL for foreign visitors and 250 TL at the discounted rate. It covers Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene and the Harem, and is valid for one day from the date of purchase.
Separate tickets cost 400 TL for domestic visitors, 1,050 TL for foreign visitors and 150 TL at the discounted rate for the Harem; Hagia Irene costs 350 TL, 1,050 TL and 150 TL respectively. The Museum Card is not valid for the Harem or Hagia Irene.
Domestic and foreign visitors aged 0–6 enter the palace authority’s palaces, kiosks, pavilions, museums and historical factories free. Discounted tickets are offered to students aged 7–25 who present student ID. Foreign students pay twice the discounted ticket price, and foreign students aged 12–25 are asked to show an ISIC card.
For foreign visitors, e-tickets are valid for 90 days and their QR codes are for single use. The National Palaces full ticket does not include Topkapı Palace.
Planning time across the palace grounds
Allow time for the areas included in the ticket you choose, especially if you plan to visit the Harem and Hagia Irene as well as the palace. The combined ticket is valid for one day from purchase, but there is no recommended visit duration.
The Bağdat and Revan Kiosks and İftariye Kameriyesi in the Fourth Courtyard are notable examples of classical Ottoman kiosk architecture. These structures can help you shape a visit around the palace’s architecture without assuming that every section takes the same amount of time.
What to look for during a first visit
Look out for the Bağdat and Revan Kiosks and the İftariye Kameriyesi in the Fourth Courtyard. They are notable examples of classical Ottoman kiosk architecture.
Topkapı Palace’s scale is also part of its story: it developed from a palace built under Sultan Mehmed II into a museum established in 1924.
Pairing the palace with nearby Sultanahmet sights
Topkapı Palace can be part of a wider Sultanahmet visit alongside Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern. A one-day walking route through Sultanahmet links stops on foot.
Hagia Sophia is another nearby landmark with a long history and its own visitor considerations.
A guide to what to know before visiting Hagia Sophia can help you plan that stop.
FAQs
What day is Topkapı Palace closed?
Topkapı Palace closes to visitors on Tuesdays. Check the official site before your visit in case details have changed.
Does the Topkapı Palace ticket include the Harem?
The combined ticket covers Topkapı Palace, Hagia Irene and the Harem. Separate tickets for the Harem and Hagia Irene are also available.
Is the Museum Card valid for the Harem?
No. The Museum Card is not valid for the Harem or Hagia Irene sections.