Topkapi Palace Tours and Activities

Now a museum, Topkapi Palace was the official residence of generations of Ottoman sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. It was taken over by the state in 1924 following Atatürk's founding of the Turkish Republic and, despite its incredible age, remains in fantastic condition.Exploring the 15th-century Topkapi Palace is a history lesson in itself. Over the decades, successive sultans have expanded and altered the palace in line with shifts in power and taste. And the views from the palace grounds alone would make your visit worthwhile. Situated on a hill looking over the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, you can see why settlement in Istanbul first began on this very spot.You'll need time to fully explore Topkapi Palace and its grounds, which cover 70 hectares. Enter via the impressive gates, set into more than 5 kilometres of wall, and stroll through the palace's leafy courtyards. Take in the grandeur of the many classical Turkish buildings in the palace complex.The harem was a very private place where the sultan's family lived alongside his concubines and eunuchs, and its mysterious nature gave rise to many a rumour and myth. This traditionally inaccessible section of the palace is still partially closed off to the public, but you can visit the sultan's vast baths and grand domed hall. You can also access the 40 rooms that were allocated to the sultan's mother. The centuries that have passed since Topkapi Palace's construction have not dulled its splendour. Exquisite pieces of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, 12,000 in total, can still be seen in the palace kitchens. There are outstanding examples of Turkish art and architecture to be found in the courtyards too the Hagia Irene is particularly eye-catching. Once an Orthodox church, it is now used as a concert hall and museum, but you'll need special permission to go inside.Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays and there are no official tour guides. However, there's no shortage of private tour guides you'll find them waiting patiently outside the ticket booths.