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Visit Topkapi Palace | Timings, Location, Tips, Nearby & More
Topkapi PalacePlan Your Visit
Topkapi Palace | Visitor information at a glance
- What are Topkapi Palace opening hours?
Topkapi Palace is open throughout the year from Wednesday to Monday between 9 AM to 6 PM. - Where is Topkapi Palace located?
Topkapi Palace is located in Istanbul, Turkey.
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. - How many visitors does Topkapi Palace get in a year?
Topkapi Palace receives around 3 million visitors every year from all around the globe.
Book your Topkapi Palace tickets
When is the best time to visit Topkapi Palace?
Weekdays vs Weekends
Visiting Topkapi Palace on a Monday morning is a good idea as there aren't many people around during the early morning hours. Wednesdays and Fridays are usually extremely crowded. Over the weekends and holidays, the palace usually has long queues with an average wait time of 40 minutes.
Peak Season vs Off-Season
The best months to visit Topkapi Palace are from March to the beginning of May and from September to November. These are shoulder-season months when the weather is relatively pleasant, there are lesser numbers of tourists, and the accommodation is also affordable. From late May to June, the weather is extremely hot and room rates in Istanbul also tend to be expensive.
Where is Topkapi Palace located?
Address: Topkapi Palace, Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.
Topkapi Palace is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated on a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn, at the juncture of the Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea.
Get Directions to Topkapi PalaceGetting to Topkapi Palace
By Public Transportation
- By Tram: You can travel by tram line T1 to reach Topkapi Palace. The closest tram stations are Gülhane istasyonu and Sultanahmet.
- By Bus: Buses 28T, 30D, 46Ç, 47E, 99A, BN1, and EM1 will drop you close to Topkapi Palace. Akbıyık is the closest bus stops.
- By Train: You can reach Topkapi Palace by taking the Marmaray (Atakoy–Pendik) train line. The closest station is Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu.
- By Metro: Line M2 of the metro will take you to Vezneciler, which is the closest metro station to Topkapi Palace.
By Car or Taxi
If you decide to visit Topkapi Palace by car or taxi, it will take you about an hour to cover the distance from Istanbul Airport to the palace.
If you’re driving your own vehicle, you can park it in a nearby paid parking spot. The nearest parking facilities are:
- Sports Car Park: located at an 8-10 minute walk from Topkapi Palace
- Otopark: 7-8 minutes away from Topkapi Palace on foot
Know before you visit Topkapi Palace
Skip the line
Dress Code
Accessibility
Facilities
Visitor tips
Dining
Stay
Nearby
- Book tickets in advance: Topkapi Palace is one of the most visited museums in Europe and can get very crowded. Plan and reserve your ticket ahead of time. Purchase skip-the-line tickets, select a date and time that suits you, and gain entry without waiting in long lines.
- Opt for a guided tour: Consider taking a guided tour if you're interested in seeing Topkapi Palace but don't want to wait in long lines. A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the venue's highlights, answer any questions, and provide keen insights into its beautiful Ottoman architecture.
- Arrive early: Topkapi Palace opens at 9 AM every day, so try reaching closer to its opening time. Late mornings attract large crowds that only taper down after 3 pm. So, either visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
- Visitors will need to wear appropriate clothing that covers their shoulders and knees while visiting Topkapi Palace.
- Shorts, skirts, sleeveless, or strapless clothing is not allowed within the premises of the Sacred Relics department.
Wheelchair Accessibility: The palace is not fully accessible to wheelchairs or strollers. Certain areas are inaccessible due to high elevated pebbles and stairs. However, some areas are still wheelchair accessible.
Pets: Pets are not allowed within the premises of Topkapi Palace, including service animals.
Audio Guides: Audio Guides are available for you in various languages; English, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.
Professional Guides: There are also professional guides available for hire in the palace.
Photography: Photography is forbidden inside the museum. Casual photography is allowed in the other areas of Topkapi Palace.
- To avoid long queues, book your Topkapi Palace tickets online beforehand.
- Audio guides or personal guides are highly recommended to discover the intricate details of the palace.
- Go on a Monday morning to properly experience the palace's beauty; it's less crowded then.
- Wear clothes that cover your arms and knees.
- Visit during October and April to avoid the summer heat.
- Beware of the unofficial guides in the palace. The guides should have an official guide badge on them.
- The entrance charge is free for disabled visitors, including one companion.
You can find many good eateries near Topkapi Palace that serve authentic Turkish cuisine and Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines. Some of the most popular restaurants include Şekerci Cafer Erol Galataport, Resto Han, Olive Anatolian Restaurant, and many more.
It's a good idea to stay at a nearby hotel to reach Topkapi Palace before time. Some great hotels near the palace offer top-class hospitality and comfort.
Budget-friendly: Şehir Apart Hotel, The Constantine Hotel, Gülhane Corner Hotel
Mid-Range: Royal Bosphorus Hotel, Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, Armada Hotel, Istanbul
Luxury: AJWA Sultanahmet, Byzantium Comfort Hotel, Ottoman Hotel Park
Hagia Sophia: A mosque that was once a church, Hagia Sophia captures the unique tenets of both religions. Discover the lavish mosaics of Christianity along with the inscriptions and minarets of Islam.
Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque is a beautiful monument in the center of the city that shines like a blue diamond at night as the six elegant minarets reflect night light.
Galata Tower: The Galata Tower is one of the oldest and highest towers in Istanbul. This former surveillance tower of the Genoese people gives the visitors a birds’ eye view of the city.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Topkapi Palace
Where is Topkapi Palace located?
Topkapi Palace is located at Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. Find on Maps
What are Topkapi Palace opening hours?
The Topkapi Palace opening hours are 9 AM to 6 PM during the summer and 9 AM to 4:45 PM in the winter. The palace is open from Monday to Wednesday and closed on Tuesdays.
What is the best time to visit Topkapi Palace?
We recommend that you visit early in the mornings during weekdays to avoid large crowds. The weather in Istanbul is also quite pleasant between March and May and September and November.
How long does it take to tour Topkapi Palace?
We recommend that you set aside at least 2 hours to explore Topkapi Palace.
What is the best way to get to Topkapi Palace?
The best way to get to Topkapi Palace would be by Tram. It stops the closest to the palace (10-minute walk). Otherwise, we suggest that you take a bus or even a taxi to get to the palace.
Is there a dress code for Topkapi Palace?
Yes, visitors will need to wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees during their visit to Topkapi Palace.
Is Topkapi Palace wheelchair accessible?
Topkapi Palace is partly wheelchair accessible. However, you will not be able to avail any wheelchairs at the palace. You will have to bring your own.
Can I click pictures at Topkapi Palace?
Photography is prohibited in the Topkapi Palace Museum. However, casual or amateur photography is allowed in the other areas of Topkapi Palace.
Are there audio guides available at Topkapi Palace?
Yes, audio guides are available in different languages at Topkapi Palace.
Are strollers allowed inside Topkapi Palace?
No, strollers are not permitted inside the palace.
