Topkapi Palace was the residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire between 1470 and 1850. Located on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul, the Palace is one of the best viewing points in the city.
Topkapi Palace fell out of favor with the influence of Westernization in the 19th century and was replaced by Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus. However, the most famous sultans of Ottoman history lived in this traditional palace.
In this article, you can find the most up-to-date information about Topkapi Palace ticket prices and opening hours. As a licensed tour guide who visits the palace frequently, I keep this article as up-to-date as possible.
At the end of the article, you can also find a section explaining how to get to Topkapi Palace from Beyoglu (Taksim Square, Cihangir, Galata, Karakoy) and the remote neighborhoods of the Old City.
Topkapi Palace 2025 Visitor Summary
Below you can find the Topkapi Palace visitor summary updated for 2025, including entrance fees, visiting information, and skip-the-line tickets.
• Ticket Price: 2400 TL (Includes Palace, Harem & Hagia Irene)
• The palace entry fee is approximately 50 Euros or 57 US Dollars
• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Museum Pass: Valid (Topkapi + Harem included)
• Skip-the-line: Online tickets recommended. You can book from here.
• Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul
• Last Updated: November 2025
How to Quickly Enter the Palace?
Entering the palace in the summer months may be difficult due to the high tourist season. Long queues form in front of the ticket offices of the palace from April to November.
In order to quickly enter the palace, you can purchase tickets for the guided group tour online from here. These tickets are slightly more expensive than standard museum tickets, but they give you the advantage of fast track.
Guests with skip-the-line tickets meet their guides at the designated point at the entrance of the Palace and quickly enter the museum. Thanks to the guide’s explanations, you will also have preliminary information about the palace, which has a sophisticated structure.
Topkapi Palace Ticket Price (2025)
Topkapi Palace ticket price is 2400 Turkish lira as of 2025. This combined ticket includes all the exhibition rooms spread across the four courtyards of the palace, the Harem Rooms and the Hagia Irene Church. Museum Pass Istanbul is valid in the palace.
Ticket prices of museums in Istanbul may change frequently, I try to provide the most up-to-date information about the entrance fees of the palace on this site. I last updated the information about entrance fees in November 2025.
Skip-the-Line Tickets & Fast Track Options
Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets give you the opportunity to enter the palace with a guided group. Although these tickets are slightly more expensive than the standard palace ticket, they are perfect for avoiding queues, especially during the summer months.
Those who have a skip-the-line ticket meet their guides carrying the flag of the relevant company at the entrance of the palace and enter the museum as a group in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, they receive detailed information about the history of the palace.
If you want to enter Topkapi Palace with the advantage of fast track, you can buy your skip-the-line guided tour tickets via the link here. These tickets are under the guarantee of GetYourGuide, an international company, and they can be canceled and refunded up to 24 hours before the activity.
Topkapi Palace Visiting Hours (2025)
Topkapi Palace visiting hours are between 9:00 in the morning and 17:00 in the evening for 2025. Please note that the ticket offices will close slightly before the last entry time. I last updated the information about opening hours in November 2025.
When making your travel plan, please remember that Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. The entrance to the palace may also be closed during national and religious holidays throughout the year.
Opening and closing hours of museums in Istanbul may change due to some events and restorations throughout the year. If you wish, you can visit the official website of the palace here and check the latest status before your visit.
How to Get to Topkapi Palace?
In order to go to Topkapi Palace from Taksim, you first need to go to Kabatas, the first stop of Tram T1. You can go to Kabatas with Funicular F1 from Taksim Square.
If you are not staying in Taksim Square but in other neighborhoods of “Beyoglu” such as Cihangir, Galata and Karakoy, you can go to the nearest T1 station (all within walking distance).
Tram T1 will cross the Galata Bridge and come to the Old City. The first stop here is Eminonu, where Spice Bazaar is located. After passing Eminonu, Sirkeci and Gulhane stops respectively, you will reach Sultanahmet.
Topkapi Palace is a 10-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram station. If you want more information about using the tram in Istanbul, you can review Tram T1 Line article containing maps and directions about T1.
You can download the map above and similar ones in high resolution from the article I linked above.
To go to Topkapi Palace from the districts of the Old City (Laleli, Beyazit, Eminonu and Sirkeci), you can use Tram T1 or follow the rails of T1 to reach Sultanahmet and then the palace in its center.
Topkapi Palace FAQ (2025)
Which days is Topkapi Palace closed?
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and open on all other days from 09:00 to 17:00.
Does the Topkapi Palace ticket include the Harem?
Yes, the 2400 TL combined ticket includes Harem and Hagia Irene.
Is the Museum Pass valid at Topkapi Palace?
Yes, the Museum Pass is valid for all sections, including the Harem and Hagia Irene Museum (former Byzantine church). You can find more details about the Museum Pass in this article.
Do I need to book skip-the-line tickets?
Highly recommended during summer. Online tickets allow you to bypass long queues.
How long should I spend at Topkapi Palace?
Plan for at least 3 hours to fully explore the courtyards and Harem.
What Other Museums to Visit Nearby?
Nearby to Topkapi Palace are Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and the Blue Mosque. You can find detailed information about Hagia Sophia from here and Basilica Cistern from here, and the Blue Mosque from here.
About the Author – Serhat Engul (Local Guide in Istanbul)
Hi, I’m Serhat Engul, a licensed tour guide in Istanbul for over 20 years. I have led hundreds of private tours through the city’s major monuments, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. If you’d like to book a private guided tour, please check the details on the Homepage of this blog.
Conclusion
As for the conclusion, Topkapi Palace is one of the historical monuments that must be visited in Istanbul. After visiting the palace, you can also visit nearby places such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. There are also Istanbul Archeology Museums within the walls of the palace.
In order to fully understand a place like Topkapi Palace, which is unlike European palaces and has a traditional structure, it is recommended that you visit the building with a tourist guide in Istanbul. A knowledgeable local guide can give you information about this palace, which was the home of the sultans.
The best way to enter the palace quickly is to buy a fast-track guided group tour ticket.
Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket now
Tickets are guaranteed by GetYourGuide, an international travel platform, and can be canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Finally, on the blog pages of this website, you can find information about the most important tourist attractions and museums in the city. Prepared as a practical tourist guide, this site contains all the necessary information for first-time visitors.
Written by Serhat Engul