Thank goodness we booked the tour. Our guide took us on a route around the whole palace, including the harem, bringing each place to life as we passed through. It all took a good three hours. Imagine how long it would have taken us if we had tried to do it alone ! Much, much longer. Or, more realistically, we would have missed a lot of places and missed out on the stories and the descriptions our guide provided to really understand palace life. The guide spoke very good, well articulated, English. Ours was a small group of seven, so it was easy to keep together, hear the guide and have the opportunity to ask questions. Sadly, there are still inaccessible areas under renovation, but that didn't detract too much from the experience. Skipping the ticket queue was a great time saver as well. Just be aware that there is a lot of walking with some flights of stairs too. But it is well worth it for this fascinating attraction. Wear comfortable footwear and have a bottle of water in your bag.

Surprisingly that the tours start sharp and no delay is foreseen- big respect to organization in one of the chaotic and super haptic city!!! Our guide Adim (Adam for international tourists) was very young, but knowledgeable and very enthusiastic young man. Deep knowledge with interesting, sometimes funny inputs made our tours unforgettable. We also had a chance to meet the local star - cat named Gli Definitely recommend to all who want to learn facts in 1h life tour and not only appreciate the beauty of the museum on several centuries and religions.

Very well organized by local agency in Istambul. The cruise trip is beautiful, food average. Suggestion: the trip should start earlier, to get the views of the Bosphorous chores at sunset and then full dark. The ship sails just at 21h00, so it's a full night scenario only and it's a pitty to loose the sunset.

Best tour we've had. Easy access. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who has personally researched the records of the palace and the various sultans. Gave us an understanding of how the various levels of the people and the sultans lived their day to day lives. Unfortunately no flying carpets

The guide managed our group well and the crowds at the museum. He was well educated on the location and conveyed clearly to a diverse group. After two weeks of travel in the Middle East I felt he captured the history of the location accurately with a very concise delivery.