Topkapi Palace

Topkapı Sarayı

The residence and seat of power of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years. Highlights include four courtyards, the harem, the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond and relics of the Prophet, with views over the Bosphorus.

Topkapi Palace was built between 1459 and 1465 on the orders of Mehmed II, the Conqueror. For nearly 400 years afterward, it was the administrative center and residence of the Ottoman sultans. It became a museum in 1924 and is the core of the World Heritage site 'Historic Areas of Istanbul'. The palace sits on the tip of the peninsula in the old city and is made up of four courtyards. The First Courtyard has the Byzantine-era Hagia Irene church. The Second Courtyard houses the imperial council chamber and the royal kitchens, and now displays Chinese porcelain: one of the largest collections of Yuan, Ming and Qing porcelain outside China, with over 10,000 pieces. The Third Courtyard has the audience chamber, the library, the most popular Treasury (with the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger) and the Sacred Relics Room (the Prophet Muhammad's cloak, sword and beard). The Fourth Courtyard has terraces and the Baghdad Kiosk, overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The Harem requires a separate ticket and includes the Queen Mother's residence, the concubines' courtyards and the eunuchs' quarters. It is key to understanding Ottoman court life. The combined ticket for the palace, Harem and Hagia Irene costs about 2,000 lira (roughly €50 to €60; prices are adjusted yearly) and includes an audio guide. You can buy tickets in advance on muze.gov.tr to skip the queue. It is not included in the museum pass. A full visit takes 3 to 4 hours, so arrive at 9 a.m. when it opens and head to the Treasury and the Harem first. The palace sits behind Hagia Sophia, a 5-minute walk from Sultanahmet Square. Note: it is closed on Tuesdays. Photography is forbidden in the Sacred Relics Room, and visitors must keep quiet. The Konyalı restaurant inside the palace has great views but high prices.

Topkapi Palace

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