Topkapi Palace, Istanbul: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

INR ₹

Topkapi Palace Overview

Located in Istanbul, Turkey, Topkapi Palace is a vibrant and picturesque reminder of the grandeur of the erstwhile Ottoman Empire of Turkey. It literally meant “Cannon Gate” in Turkish and was built in 1459 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

It was of great importance in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was used by the Sultan and his bevy of concubines. In fact, even now, the Imperial Harem is one of the top attractions here! When the sun came down on the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace was converted by the government into a museum, reminiscent of the magnificent Ottoman Empire. Explore this historical gem as part of your Turkey tour packages, delving into the opulent past of the Ottoman Empire within the walls of Topkapi Palace.

The top two places that have recorded maximum tourist footfall in the palace are the Ottoman Imperial Harem and the treasury of the sultans. It is here that the world-famous Spoonmaker’s diamond and Topkapi dagger are housed!

The lesser-known items which are equally beautiful are the armor, clothing, and manuscripts found here dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries! On account of its age, beauty, and the volumes it tells us about the lives of the flamboyant sultans of the Ottoman empire, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How To Reach

There are two ways in which you can reach the palace:

By Car/Taxi:

The journey is 50 km long and you can cover this distance by taking a taxi or Uber from Istanbul airport in about 40-45 minutes. It costs approximately Rs 1500 and is the most hassle free medium of transportation.

By Bus:

Walk 250 meters to Istanbul Havalimani and from there, take a bus to Sultanahmet. From Sultanahmet, walk 400 meters to Topkapi Palace and overall this journey will take close to 1 hour, 50 minutes.

Best Time To Visit

Though you can visit all year round, there are specific times when the weather is pleasant, or crowds are less:

- The best time to visit Topkapi Palace would be between March and May or between September and November. This is not the peak season so the hotels are still affordable and the temperature is also pleasant.

- Try not to visit in late May and June as this is peak season and weather is sweltering, and the room rates are skyrocketing.

- It is closed on Tuesdays, and there is a long queue on the weekends, so it is best to visit Topkapi Palace on Monday and Thursday morning. Because the Blue Mosque opens at 2:30 pm on Friday, there is a large crowd on Friday morning as well!

Other Essential Information

Location: Cankurtaran, 34122, Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey.

Distance from nearest airport: The nearest international airport is the Istanbul Airport. It is 51 km away, and the taxi journey from the airport to Topkapi palace takes a good 40 minutes.

History of Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace is strategically located where the earlier Greek and Byzantine empires were- overlooking the Golden Horn at the junction of the Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea. After his conquest in 1453, this is the location Sultan Mehmed II pinpointed for his new palace.

He had grand plans for his palace and summoned the best masons and artisans to work here. Mehmed II himself visualized the layout and instructed his private chambers to be built on the top of the whole complex. Though the basic layout envisaged by their ancestor was not disturbed, future sultans did make a few changes.

It was expanded in the mid-1500s by Suleyman the Magnificent. In 1574, a fire destroyed the massive kitchen area, and the then sultan, Selim II, had many parts of the palace remodeled with the kitchen, including the harem, baths, and privy chambers.

Though we now see only four courtyards, there were actually five, but it fell into ruins and was destroyed when the shoreline railroad was being constructed. In fact, all of the shoreline structures have been demolished by the railroad construction, with the exception of Basketmakers kiosk, patronised by Sultan Murad II.

Architecture of the Topkapi Palace

The architecture of the Topkapi Palace is pretty unique, a form that has not been seen in any Turkish or European structure before. The palace had all the important chambers and courtrooms at the core of the structure. Then surrounding the main chambers were a handful of other buildings and pavilions.

The most important rooms were at the zenith of the hill, including the Sultan’s private chamber, which was at the peak. Then, winding down the hill, towards the shoreline were the less important buildings like the Basketmaker’s kiosk and the fifth courtyard.

Surrounding the palace are high walls, some commissioned by the Sultan, and some from the erstwhile Byzantine empire. The palace currently has four massive courtyards, surrounded by smaller and lower buildings(mostly two-storied ones).

All the courtyards and buildings are interconnected by passages and galleries. The first courtyard is the outermost one, which almost everybody had access to. The fourth courtyard is the innermost one, accessible only to the Sultan, the topmost courtiers, and the concubines. In fact, the harem is located here, beyond the fourth courtyard.

The western and southern boundaries are bordered by Gulhane Park, the Imperial Flower Park. Various other buildings are also present near the shoreline in what was the fifth courtyard. The fifth courtyard and the other buildings near the shoreline have since been destroyed during the making of the railroad.

Imperial Gate of the Topkapi Palace

The road leading up to the main entrance of the Topkapi Palace is the Divan Yolu or the “Council Street”. This age old street has been used by Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans for their royal processions. The Imperial Gate of the Topkapi Palace is located on this street and it opens into the first courtyard.

It is located to the south of the palace and is called Sultanat Kapisi or the “Royal Gate”. The gateway, earlier made of stone, is now a beautiful marble structure, having been remodelled as late as the 19th century. It opens into a stone arch, which has a dome inscribed with verses of Quran and tughras of the sultans.

The Ottoman calligraphy is what accentuates the beauty of the dome. Legend has it that there was a wooden compartment over the Imperial Gate once upon a time. Whenever a resident of the palace passed away without legitimate heirs, their property was deposited into this compartment and then later taken into the treasury.

And during processions, this is where the ladies of the harem were allowed to stand and watch the majestic occasion.

Security Concerns of Topkapi Palace

Historians have rued the fact that the Turkish government has not done enough for the security of this important palace. There is no climate-controlled room for the safekeeping of the manuscripts, and the only reason why the palace has survived the earthquakes is because of the thick walls.

In fact, in 1999, thieves made off with a 12th century Quran, and yet, not much has been done to prevent these. The worst incident happened when in 2001, Libyan revolutionary Samir Salim Ali Elmadhavri opened fire here on unsuspecting tourists. The SWAT team finally killed him, and this led to more security being placed in the palace.

Tips for traveling to Topkapi Palace

- Since it's usually very crowded, we have curated a few tips which will make the tour more pleasurable!

- Book tickets online beforehand to stay away from long queues

- Go on a Monday morning to experience the beauty of the palace properly as it is the least crowded.

- Since the Blue Mosque is closed till 2:30 pm on Friday, the palace is very crowded during the morning and therefore you should avoid not to plan the palace trip on a Friday

- Winter is also a good time and if you can bear the cold, you can tour the palace in peace!

Topkapi Palace FAQs

Who lived in Topkapi Palace?

The Topkapi Palace was home to the sultans of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. From 1459 to the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, it was used by the family of the sultan. He lived there with his mother, wives, concubines, and children and eunuchs, courtiers, and page boys lived on the premises.

What does Topkapi mean?

In Turkish, Topkapi means “Cannon Gate.”

Is Topkapi Palace free?

It is free for children below the age of 8 and above that, you need to pay 72 Turkish Liras (or 850 INR) to enter the palace. However, this is pertaining to the main entrance and a few other sections for important interior sections such as the Harem or the Church of Hagia Irene. For the harem, you need to pay an extra 42 Turkish liras or 495 INR and the best option would be to take an Istanbul Travel Pass as this will give you access to all parts of Topkapi palace.