Topkapi Palace Location | Getting There & Best Routes

Sitting on the banks of the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace, also known as Topkapi Sarayi, is a gorgeous monument that once served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the Ottoman Sultanate, an order was passed to turn it into a museum, allowing visitors to take a walk through its courtyards and feel like royalty themselves.

Here’s all you need to know about Topkapi Palace’s location, ways to get there, directions, and much more.

Where is Topkapi Palace located?

Address: Topkapi Palace Museum, Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

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Topkapi Palace is a 15th-century Ottoman palace, which served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire and the royal residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries. It is located in Istanbul's Fatih district, built on a promontory overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.

Closest Landmark: Topkapi Palace is located less than 1 km away from the famous Hagia Sophia.

Plan your visit to Topkapi Palace

Getting to Topkapi Palace by public transport

By Tram

Line: T1
Nearest tram stop: Gülhane İstasyonu
Best for: Convenient travel
Travel time: 12 minutes (from Taksim Square)

The tram is the most convenient public transport option to reach Topkapi Palace.
From Taksim Square, you have to walk about 850 metres to reach the Fındıklı-Mımar Sınan Ünıversıtesı tram stop. From here, the T1 line takes 12 minutes to reach Gulhane tram stop. Topkapi Palace is located just a 7-minute walk away.
Alternatively, you can get down at Sultanahmet stop, which is also a 7-minute walk away.

By Bus

Bus no.s: BN1, 28T, 30D, 46Ç, 47E, 99A, EM1
Nearest bus stop: Akbıyık
Best for: Budget travel
Travel time: 28 minutes (from Taksim Square)

Buses allow you to get around Istanbul quickly and economically.
From Taksim Square, head to Taksim Tünel bus stop, which is 2 minutes away. You have to take the 70FE and BN1 buses (change at Eminönü Mısır Çarşısı) to reach Akbıyık bus stop. Topkapi Palace is an 8-minute walk from Akbıyık.

By Metro

Line: M2
Nearest metro station: Vezneciler
Best for: Avoiding road traffic
Travel time: 16 minutes (from Taksim Square)

The metro is another public transport option to get to Topkapi Palace, although you might have to pair it with another method or walk to cover the remaining distance.
From the Taksim Square metro station, take the M2 line to reach Vezneciler station.
From here, you can walk to Laleli-İstanbul Üniversitesi tram stop and take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet (an 8-minute walk from Topkapi Palace). Alternatively, you can walk to Topkapi Palace, which is 30 minutes away on foot.

By Train

Line: Marmaray (Atakoy–Pendik line)
Nearest train station: Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu station
Best for: Travelling from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side

While the train does not connect Taksim Square to the Fatih district (where Topkapi Palace is located), it is very convenient if you are travelling from the Asian side of Istanbul.
The Marmaray (Atakoy–Pendik line) will get you to Sirkeci İstasyonu station. From here, it takes 15 minutes to walk to Topkapi Palace.

Getting to Topkapi Palace by car

Driving route

Best for: Convenience
Travel time: 18-30 minutes, depending on traffic (from Taksim Square)
Distance: 7.6 km

Head southwest from Taksim Square on Sıraselviler Caddesi toward İstiklal Caddesi. Continue via Kazancı Ykş., Mebusan Ykş., and Meclis-i-Mebusan Caddesi. Cross Galata Bridge and take a left onto Kennedy Caddesi.
Drive on to Küçük Ayasofya Caddesi. Take Torun Sk. and Kabasakal Caddesi to Soğuk Çeşme Sk. in Cankurtaran. The entrance to the Topkapi Palace compound is at the end of the street.

Parking facilities

If you plan to drive to Topkapi Palace, you should know that there are no parking facilities at the palace complex. However, you can park your vehicle at these car parks in the vicinity:

Naz Oto park: Located a 7-8 minute walk from Topkapi Palace.
Sports car park: It takes about 8-10 minutes to get from here to the palace on foot.
Dalbasti Parking: A 4-minute walk away from the palace complex.
İspark Otopark: Located 2 minutes away from Topkapi Palace on foot.

Walking to Topkapi Palace

Best for: Sightseeing, eco-friendly travel

Topkapi Palace is located just 5 minutes away from the famous Sultanahmet Square, which is the site of many historical landmarks and is a historical attraction itself.

A good way to get to Topkapi Palace on foot is by walking from other attractions located close by. For instance, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern are all located around Sultanahmet Square.

Walking also allows you to explore Istanbul's historic Fatih district, and soak in its sights and sounds.

Directions to Topkapi Palace from popular public transport stops

From Akbıyık, walk on Kennedy Cd. and then turn into Ahırkapı Cd. Walk straight for about 30 meters and then turn right to stay on Ahırkapı Cd.
Continue to walk as the road curves for about 80 meters and then take a slight left onto Cankurtaran Meydanı Sk.
Continue for another 110 meters and then turn left onto Adliye Sk. Take the stairs and then continue straight for another 100 meters.
Take a right onto Kutlugün Sk. and after 110 meters, turn left onto İshak Paşa Cd. after Hotel Valide Sultan and then continue for another 130 meters.
Turn right onto Soğuk Çeşme Sk. and you should be able to see the entrance to Topkapi Palace ahead.

Head south-east on Ebussuud Cd. toward Alemdar Cd. and then turn right.
Continue straight for about 170 meters and then turn left onto Gülhane Parkı and then turn right once you pass through the arch.
Continue on the path for about 300 meters and then turn left. Continue walking for another 100 meters and the Topkapi Palace should be right ahead.

As you exit the train station, head towards Muradiye Cd. and then turn right onto Orhaniye Cd. and then continue straight for about 120 meters.
Turn left onto Ebussuud Cd. and continue walking for another 230 meters.
Turn right onto Alemdar Cd., after which you can either turn left into Gülhane Parkı in a little more than 100 meters or continue straight for about 300 meters and then turn left onto Mustafa Dede Sk. Take the stairs.
Turn left onto Caferiye Sk., continue for about 100 meters, and then turn right onto Soğuk Çeşme Sk. and continue for another 200 meters. The entrance to the palace will be on your left.

After you exit the subway station, head south on Büyük Reşitpaşa Cd toward Vidinli Tevfikpaşa Cd. Continue walking for about 280 meters.
Turn left onto Ordu Cd. and continue walking straight for about 1.6 km over Yeniçeriler Cd., then over Divan Yolu Cd., and then head onto Alemdar Cd. as the road curves.
Continue straight once again for about 200 meters and then turn right onto Soğuk Çeşme Sk. Continue for another 210 meters and the entrance to Topkapi Palace should be to your left.

Head southwest on Salkım Söğüt Sk. toward Yerebatan Cd. and then turn left onto Yerebatan Cd.
Continue straight for about 180 meters and then turn left onto Alemdar Cd. Continue straight for another 200 meters and then turn right onto Soğuk Çeşme Sk.
Walk for another 210 meters and the entrance to Topkapi Palace should be on your left.

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Frequently asked questions about Topkapi Palace location

What is the location of Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace is located at Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Find on Maps

What city is Topkapi Palace located in?

Topkapi Palace is located in Istanbul, Turkey.

How do I get to Topkapi Palace?

Topkapi Palace is well connected by the public transport system in Istanbul. The nearest tram station is less than 10 minutes away. Bus stops and the train station are also located less than 15 minutes away by foot.

How do I drive to Topkapi Palace?

Your navigation system should be able to direct you to Topkapi Palace with ease. Just search for Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi or find it on maps.

What is the closest Tram station to Topkapi Palace?

The closest tram station to Topkapi Palace is Gülhane İstasyonu.

What is the closest bus stop to Topkapi Palace?

The closest bus stop to Topkapi Palace is at Akbıyık.

What is the closest train station to Topkapi Palace?

The closest train station near Topkapi Palace is the Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu station.

Is there parking available at Topkapi Palace?

Unfortunately, there are no car parking facilities near Topkapi Palace. However, there are paid car parking services located nearby, including Sports Car Park and Naz Oto park.