Topkapi Palace

Neighborhood tours

Hop on a sightseeing cruise to tour the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. Get a fresh look at Istanbul on this boat tour with an audio guide to tell you all the top tales as you glide by Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden's Tower, and Galata Tower. Sail as far south to see the Bosphorus Bridge. Meet your host on the other side of Hagia Sophia and walk down to the pier behind the grand mosque. Jump on board to discover the Golden Horn, considered to be the world’s largest natural harbor. Sail through the magnificent Bosphorus strait forming the continental boundary between Asia and Europe. On your way, come across cultural and historical emblems of Istanbul like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden's Tower, and Galata Tower. Learn about the city’s rich heritage with an audio guide. Admire the Bosphorus coastline on the European side from the cruise, and see a string of villages, each with its own individual character and attractions. Glide past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge, among others. Be sure to keep an eye out for ancient castles, famous parks, and spectacular seaside residences from different centuries. Capture stunning pictures of the vibrant city of Istanbul along the water on this scenic cruise.

Discover the wonders inside the Topkapi Palace and the Harem Museum in Istanbul with skip-the-line entry tickets and your own personal smartphone app audio guide. Avoid the long ticket lines with skip-the-line privileges and a host that will lead you inside. After meeting your host, receive your entry ticket and seamlessly enter inside the Topkapi Palace. As you enter, launch your audio guide on your smartphone to enrich your visit (download instructions received after booking). Immerse yourself in the ancient Ottoman Empire as you walk through the museum gates and gardens. Stroll through centuries of the Ottoman Empire's history while seeing the museum's centuries-old art and architecture up close. Venture back to the Ottoman Empire through historical artwork and architecture. Visit the palace's timeless collections, the Harem ant at your own pace and get a closer look at astonishing royal jewelry and holy religious relics. Learn about the lives of sultans and queens through your audio guide. Before the end of your visit, enjoy sweeping views of the city and Bosphorus from the palace.

The Sunset cruise starts from Kabatas Pier with a nice, decorated luxury yacht, sail up to second bridge of the Bosphorus from European part of Bosphorus Strait. While you are having your drinks with snacks enjoy the panoramic views that you wouldn’t see otherwise, and access excellent photo opportunities of Dolmabahce Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Rumeli Fortress, and many more local landmarks. After reaching to second bridge sail up from opposite direction to the Asian part of Bosphorus Strait. Watch the views of wooden houses and have information about all beautiful spots of Bosphorus by our legendary guide. You are now at Maidens Tower in the middle of the sea one of the best iconic point of Marmara Sea. With this beautiful tower you will have the opportunity of shooting some pictures of sunset on Bosphorus. Get ready to glide through the depths of history in the Bosphorus, the most beautiful place in Istanbul. You will forget all the tiredness of the day with the friendly service we will give you on our boat, which is one of the most beautiful yachts of the Bosphorus. Get your cameras ready while you get interesting information about history from our experienced and friendly guide. Because you will want to take a picture of all the beauties of the Bosphorus. We will end up our Sunset Cruise with some picture opportunity of old city at Kabatas pier where we start.

A Bosphorus cruise is one of the best things to do in Istanbul. Get on the boat and start discovering the long waterway which separates Europe and Asia. Discover Istanbul’s main attractions, including magnificent palaces, ancient castles and famous hills and parks, as well as spectacular seaside residences from different centuries while passing under famous bridges. You will start your tour from the Old City in Sultanahmet and cruise along the European side until the 2nd Bosphorus bridge and return back along the Asian coast. You will pass by Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace. You will aslo get to see some historical landmarks from a distance such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Maiden Tower, and Galata Tower. 

Discover Istanbul's most iconic sights on a tour. Listen to your guide recount tales of the city's colorful past as you pass by landmarks such as the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome. Round off the experience with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. Start your tour at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was the sports and social center of the old city. Discover major artworks including the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the fountain of Willhelm II. Then, continue to the Blue Mosque, whose 6 minarets adorn Istanbul’s skyline. Next up is the Topkapi Palace, which was home to Ottoman emperors between the 15th and 19th centuries. Marvel at the jewel-stuffed treasury, the Ottoman Empire's imperial collections, and priceless displays of Oriental porcelain. If the Topkapi Palace is closed on your trip date, you'll visit the Nakkas Cistern instead. Continue to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, a monument of equal significance to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Behold the dome and stunning mosaics of this architectural gem as your guide recounts its turbulent history. Then, enter the Grand Bazaar with over 3,000 shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry to ceramics and leather goods. Take a stroll around the Bazaar and soak in the aroma of different spices, dried fruits, nuts, sweets, and lokum (Turkish Delights). Tour ends in Grand Bazaar.

Enjoy a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul and admire the cosmopolitan city from a completely different perspective while enjoying the beautiful views of the Orient and the Occident at the same time. The Bosphorus is 32km long, separates Europe from Asia, and connects the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. Cruise along the strait between Asia and Europe and discover Istanbul tourist attractions, magnificent palaces, ancient castles, and other historical sites, as well as fine seaside residences and the Bosphorus bridge. Admire the views of Galata Tower, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque. Furthermore, you will have a glance at the spectacular pieces of authentic civic architecture on the European and Asian coasts.

Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes islands, on this 9-hour excursion from Istanbul. Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view. See the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – by bike (not included) or spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on one of its beaches, before returning to Istanbul. Travel from your hotel by air-conditioned coach to the port with your guide, and board the boat that will take you to the Princes islands. The largest and most interesting of the islands is Büyükada, which is your destination for the day. From the boat, look back on the sights of Istanbul, seeing iconic landmarks such as Topkapi Palace and the pretty Kiz Kulesi (also known as the Maiden’s Tower), which was featured in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough. Dock in Büyükada and Heybeli then take a stroll through the streets on your own, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of island life. Return to the boat and listen as your guide talks about the island’s history during the ride. Learn about its time as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, and of its life as a monastic settlement during Turkey’s Byzantine-Christian period. Pass lovely wooden mansions that are stunning examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture, and look out over the sparkling sea. Seagulls are everywhere in Büyükada, and if you’d like to feed them your guide will give you simits (bread with sesame seeds) so you can toss them a treat. Have lunch on the boat in summer or in a restauarant in the winter (if the weather gets too bad) , then spend the rest of your day at leisure on the islands. Later, meet your guide at a pre-arranged time for your boat ride back to Istanbul. Gift and leather shop visit (Optional)The last leg of your journey will be by coach, and you’ll be dropped off at your Istanbul hotel.

Join an exclusive guided tour to explore the opulent Topkapi Palace in Istanbul and delve into the secrets of the legendary Harem. Bypass the queues and step into the heart of the Ottoman Empire with skip-the-line tickets. Explore the majestic palace complex, a world unto itself, boasting an array of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards where the elite of the empire resided. Wander through the outer-terraced gardens, soaking in panoramic vistas of the iconic Golden Horn. As you wander through the palace's corridors, envision the grandeur of the ruling Sultans who once inhabited its countless rooms, surrounded by their extensive families and retinue of servants. Venture into the enigmatic Harem, under the governance of the Queen Mother, where hundreds of women and family members resided alongside a legion of eunuchs, each fulfilling their designated roles. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship adorning the Harem, from cupboard doors embellished with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell to the exquisite Iznik tiles adorned with floral motifs and Quranic verses, a testament to the artisans' skill and devotion. Concluding the tour, delve into the realm of sacred relics and immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of the empire at the imperial kitchens. Gain insights into Ottoman history and the intricacies of life within the Harem, as you unravel the mysteries of this captivating era. Don't miss the opportunity to uncover the splendor and intrigue of Topkapi Palace and its fabled Harem on this immersive guided tour, where history comes to life at every turn.

In the 1600s, Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman author and traveler, said of Topkapı Palace: "Never hath a more delightful residence been erected by the art of man." See it for yourself and get the most out of your visit to Topkapı Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. Topkapı Palace has many unique collections on display including weapons of the Ottoman Army, beautiful fabrics, jewels, and art, as well as an amazing collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. There is even a Holy Relics Chamber which contains personal items of the Prophet Muhammad, the staff of Moses, and the sword of David, to name only a few. What a collection! The Harem at Topkapi Palace served as the private residence for Ottoman Dynasty members and elite women for centuries. Access was restricted to Sultans, their families, and select personnel. With over 300 rooms, nine baths, and two mosques adorned with exquisite tiles, the Harem showcases Ottoman opulence from the 16th to the 19th century. Key structures include the Privy Chamber of Murad III and the Twin Kiosk/Apartments of the Crown Prince. The Main Entrance, Court of the Concubines, and Imperial Hall are also notable.

Istanbul: Best of The City Full-Day Tour with Transfers offers a personalized or shared experience for visitors who want to explore the city's top attractions with a dedicated guide. Learn about the historical development of the city under the Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire on a private tour. Compare the different cultures and religions of these empires while exploring iconic Istanbul sights like Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Travel stress-free with private roundtrip transportation. Enjoy unhurried visits to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Visit the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, due to its unique interior decoration of blue royal Iznik tiles. At the Hippodrome, see where the Romans used to organize chariot races and gladiators' fights. Admire its remaining Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column, and German Fountain. Finish your day by learning about Turkish handicrafts at the famous Grand Bazaar and its 4,000 shops (replaced with the Arasta Baazar or the Spice Bazaar on Sundays). With your private guide leading the way, there's no chance of getting lost in the bazaar. This tour is a good start for first-time visitors to Istanbul. You'll gain a good idea of the past, present, and future of Istanbul while visiting some of the city's must-see sights and monuments. You can pause the tour at any point to ask questions. •Visit the famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is a historic mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque is known for its stunning architecture, with its six minarets and beautiful blue tiles adorning the interior, which give it the nickname "Blue Mosque." •Discover Topkapi Palace which is a grand and historically significant palace located in Istanbul. It served as the primary residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Visit the exhibition of Treasury, cloths and weapons also Holy relics • Experience The Hagia Sophia, a famous historic building located in oldtown Istanbul. It was originally built as the biggest cathedral in the world by Byzantine Empire in the 6th century and later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire. •See the Basilica Cistern visited by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Impresive Roman empire structure as featured in Dan Brown's novel, "Inferno" and James Bond "From Russia with Love" •Finalize the day at the famous Grand Bazaar with 4000 shops. • Get the personalized experience of a private tour • Taste the local good food ( meat/vegetarian/dessert) • Discover Turkish handicrafts • Highly Recommended for Outstanding Photo Shoots • Recommeneded Activity to Experience The Full Taste of Istanbul's rich history and Culture in a short amount of time Option 1- Guided Tour- Istanbul : Best of The City Full-Day Tour with Transfers Option 2- Private Tour-Istanbul : Best of The City Full-Day Tour with Transfers