Topkapi Palace Entrance | Guide to Entrances & Directions

Where is Topkapi Palace?

Aerial view of Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, featuring the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Topkapi Palace is located at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul’s historic Fatih district, on the European side. It is situated on a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, at the juncture of the Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea.

Nearest landmark: Hagia Sophia

Topkapi Palace location and directions

Topkapi Palace entrances

There are two entrances to Topkapi Palace – the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun), which is the main entrance, and a side entrance via Gulhane Park, near the Istanbul Archaeological Museums.

Topkapi Palace entrances explained

Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun) Topkapi Palace main entrance

Main entrance – Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun)

Where is it? The main entrance to the Topkapi Palace complex is through the monumental Bab-ı Humayun or Imperial Gate, located on Soğuk Çeşme Street in Cankurtaran. It stands across from the Hagia Sophia and the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III.

How to reach? The closest bus stop to Topkapi Palace’s Imperial Gate is Sultanahmet. From here, the main entrance is just a 5-minute walk. You can also take the T1 tram to the Sultanahmet tram stop and head from there to the Imperial Gate on foot. It’ll take you 8–10 minutes to cover the distance.

Timings: Open from 9am to 6pm from Wednesday to Monday.

Average wait time: The average wait time at this entrance is around 15 to 20 minutes during non-peak hours and 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours. Without prior online ticket bookings in the peak season, you may have to wait over an hour at this entrance just to buy tickets. Purchase skip-the-line tickets to bypass ticket queues. You’ll still have to go through the security check queue, though.

Facilities: Ticket office, cafe, shop, restrooms

Accessibility: Yes

Side entrance (via Gulhane Park)

Where is it? The side entrance to the Topkapi Palace complex is near the Gulhane tram stop in Cankurtaran. It is adjacent to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and you have to walk through Gulhane Park to reach it.

How to reach? You can take the T1 tram to the Gulhane tram stop. From there, the side entrance is about 5 minutes away on foot via Gulhane Park. If you want to take the bus, Sultanahmet is the closest bus stop, just a 5-minute walk away.

Timings: Open from 9am to 6pm from Wednesday to Monday.

Average wait time: If you book your ticket online in advance, there is virtually no waiting time at this entrance. Queues to purchase tickets here are also shorter than at the main entrance. Waiting times can increase up to 30 minutes during peak hours, and longer during the peak season.

Facilities: Ticket office

Accessibility: Not accessible for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.

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Queues at the Topkapi Palace entrances

Ticket queue: If you need to purchase tickets on-site, you have to queue at the ticket counters. You might have to wait over an hour in line if you visit during the peak season, so it’s best to buy your Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets online before you visit.
Security queue: All visitors, including those with skip-the-line tickets, have to go through a mandatory security check. Depending on the season and the crowds, waiting times in this queue can be around 15 to 20 minutes (in addition to the time you spend in the ticket queue) to half an hour on busier days.
Audio guide queue: Audio guides, packed with information and available in multiple languages, are a great way to explore Topkapi Palace at your own pace. There is a separate line for the palace audio guide, where you might have to queue for half an hour or more, depending on when you visit. To rent a palace audio guide, you have to deposit a valid ID at the counter.

How to enter Topkapi Palace?

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Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

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Combo: Topkapi Palace + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Guided Tour of Topkapi Palace & Harem with Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Frequently asked questions about the Topkapi Palace entrance

Are there different entrances to Topkapi Palace?

There are two entrances to the palace – the main entrance via the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun), and a lesser used side entrance near the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, accessible via Gulhane Park.

What about the entrances to the palace’s various courtyards?

There are various gates within the palace complex, such as the Gate of Salutation (Bab-üs Selam), which leads to the Second Courtyard, and the Gate of Felicity (Bab-üs Saadet), the entrance to the Third Courtyard. However, these are not entrances to the main palace complex itself, but accessways to other areas and buildings within, like the Inner Palace and the Treasury.

Are there any sections of Topkapi Palace that have separate entrances?

Yes, the Harem and the Hagia Irene Museum, though located within the main Topkapi Palace complex, have their own entrances and require separate tickets to enter.

Which Topkapi Palace entrance do I use if I have bought tickets online?

You can access the palace by either the main Imperial Gate entrance or the side entrance if you’ve booked your Topkapi Palace tickets online in advance. All tickets are checked at the Gate of Salutation, the entrance to the Second Courtyard.

Is there a separate entrance for skip-the-line ticket holders?

There is no separate entrance if you’ve purchased skip-the-line tickets. You can access the palace via either of the two entrances. Remember, you will still have to wait in the security check queue before you can enter.

Which Topkapi Palace entrance is easiest to reach?

The main Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun) entrance is more straightforward to reach and is the primary access point for visitors.

Are any of the Topkapi Palace entrances accessible by wheelchair?

Wheelchair users can use the main Imperial Gate entrance to access the palace. However, certain historic areas of the palace have uneven terrain, stairs, and elevated marble slabs, making them unsuitable for wheelchair access.

Can I exit and re-enter the palace after a short while?

It is not possible to re-enter the palace on the same ticket once you exit.