Try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon<\/strong>, particularly in busy tourist seasons, for a less packed experience.<\/p>","hours":" You can make Topkapi Palace Guided Tour <\/strong>reservations easily for your desired date and time in the Manage My Pass<\/strong><\/a> section.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Available sessions are 10:00 \/ 11:45 \/ 14:00 \/ 15:30<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n Where Exactly Will We Meet?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Your guide will be waiting for you in front of the Archaeological Museum<\/strong> at least 15 minutes before the tour starts, holding a purple and fuchsia umbrella. From there, your guide will take you on a short 1-minute walk to the Topkapi Palace entrance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n A Better Way In<\/strong> The entrance near the Archaeological Museum is less well-known and usually has a much shorter line. It's a faster and easier way to enter the palace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Our staff will be holding a sign or wearing a badge, making them easy to find.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n When Should I Arrive?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Please aim to arrive at the meeting point at least 15–20 minutes before your tour time. This gives you enough time to find the meeting spot without stress.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Ask for help if needed<\/p>\r\n\r\n And be ready for a smooth start.<\/p>","admission":" Avoid paying the €70 tour fee to the Topkapi Palace Museum and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Tourist Pass. For Topkapi Palace Museum Tour, Topkap\u0131 Palace tickets will be given by your guide. <\/p>","video_url":"4","dipNote":" Free with Istanbul Tourist Pass®<\/p>","bannerText":" Avoid paying the entry fees and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Tourist Pass®.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Guided Topkapi Palace Museum Tour & Harem Entrance is Included in Istanbul Tourist Pass®<\/p>","learnMore":" Topkap\u0131 Palace, one of the largest and most eye-catching structures of the Ottoman period, contains historical elements in abundance. This building, which has managed to preserve its splendor until today, is open to visitors as a museum<\/strong>. The Topkap\u0131 Palace Museum is divided into different sections and each section is believed to have a different function, hosting millions of visitors throughout the year. When it comes to the size of the palace, it is not possible for all parts of it to be open to visitors. However, a large part of the palace is available for visitation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Topkapi Palace Museum is among the best places to visit in Istanbul. It amazes its visitors with its impressive history. This palace, which was built by the famous Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror<\/strong> right after the conquest of Istanbul, hosted dozens of Ottoman Sultans and powerful personalities of history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Its construction was started in 1460 and completed in 1478. It was built on a land of 700,000 square meters. Being located in Sarayburnu, at the tip of the Istanbul peninsula between the Bosphorus<\/strong> and the Golden Horn<\/strong>, Topkapi Palace can be seen from almost anywhere in Istanbul.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Four hundred years of the empire, especially during the era of Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Sultan Abdülmecid; Topkap\u0131 Palace, has managed to maintain its importance since the day it was built. This structure can also be considered as the center of education, administration, and art.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The Topkap\u0131 Palace museum, which was opened to the public as a museum after the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, has an interior space of 400,000 square meters. At the same time, this palace is the first museum of the Republic of Turkey. Topkap\u0131 Palace has collections and approximately 300,000 archive documents. It is one of the largest palace museums in the world. The palace, which has many different works under its roof, is flooded by both local and foreign visitors every year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Surrounded by gardens and squares, the palace has four interlocking courtyards<\/strong>. Each courtyard has a different purpose. For example, the courtyard used by the statesmen was not the same as the courtyard used by Sultan's concubines. At the same time, Sultan's family members used a completely different part of the Palace.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Topkap\u0131 Palace museum, which combines aesthetic appearance with baroque architecture, perfectly reflects the magnificent Ottoman culture and lifestyle. In addition to the showiness of the palace, there are also special corners, as the Sultan and his family loved.<\/p>\r\n\r\n It is possible to find traces of history in this building, where the plain walls are decorated with fine details. The precious jewels in the palace, clothes belonging to the Sultan and his family, items of religious importance and historical furniture attract attention.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The Topkap\u0131 Palace Museum, which receives thousands of visitors throughout the year, is known for being constantly busy and crowded. You can visit this museum, with the privilege of the Istanbul Tourist Pass. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Topkapi Palace is really big, covering an area of about 700,000 square meters. What to see in Topkapi Palace? When visiting Topkapi, you can see the palace, which consists of two basic organizations: the outer and inner palaces and the Harem. Topkapi has several separate rooms that have been used by rulers for various purposes for centuries. There are private rooms, pavilions, rooms for soldiers, barracks, a large kitchen, a large library, loggias, offices, and prison rooms. Before passing the first section, called the Imperial Gate, be sure to look at the beautifully decorated stone fountain in the outer square. It is a small rectangular structure with five smaller domes made in the rococo style of 1728.Topkapi Palace paintings present a collection of imperial portraits housed in the Sultan's chambers. The painted portraits depict all Ottoman sultans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n Surrounded by tall walls, the first courtyard functioned as an outdoor area or park and is the largest of all the palace courtyards. Some historic structures of the First Courtyard no longer exist. When you pass through the imperial door on the right, you will see a space known as the former Ministry of Finance. There are two niches on the door and an inscription of the Qur'an. To the left of it is the Byzantine Church of Hagia Eirene.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n The second gate was built in 1468, during the time of Mehmed II the Conqueror, and was restored during the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, similar to European construction styles. The premises behind this second gate served, in present terms, as the logistics and administration division, for affairs concerning the administration of the empire. To the right of this second gate you can see the large kitchen. Next to the kitchen on the right are barracks and pantries, and further along the trail you will find the imperial barn and the Besir Age mosque. On the left, there is the Topkapi Palace tower of justice<\/strong>. A panel of officials met there to discuss state issues and the Sultan, often hidden behind a gold screen high up in the wall, would tap on the screen if he disagreed with their decisions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n These were imperial chambers and every detail of life in the Harem was characterized by tradition, obligation and ceremony. The word 'harem' literally means 'forbidden' or 'private'. Topkapi Palace’s Harem <\/strong>was the private haven of the Ottoman Sultan and his extended family at Topkapi Palace. Here, the word ‘harem’ also referred to the physical space in which he and his family members lived. The first Harem was deliberately built by Murat III in 1574 and later upgraded by the Sultans. Apart from the Sultans, the only ones in the Harem were the eunuchs who guarded him. You will have the opportunity to see beautifully decorated rooms, with canopies, marble fireplaces, flower tiles on floors and small fountains. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Topkapi Palace Gate of Felicity is the entrance to the third courtyard, which consists of a private and residential part of the palace. No one could walk through this door without the Sultan's approval. The gate was built in the late 15th century. Under the vault of this third courtyard is the "Preston Hall"<\/strong> from the period of Mehmed the Conqueror, which is where he met with foreign MPs and viziers. Behind this hall is the library of Ahmet III, made in 1719. The most valuable of the entire Topkapi complex is the royal treasury, which contains the most valuable pieces of jewelry, weapons, diamonds and emeralds, with ruler's uniforms, kaftans, sultan uniforms and dresses.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Here you will be amazed by the beautiful tulip garden<\/strong>. On the edge of the terrace is a raised tower, once a pharmacy of the imperial palace, and a little further is a pavilion of Mustafa pastures. To the left of the garden is a small terrace with a swimming pool. At the end of the terrace there is a view of the Golden Horn Bay<\/strong> and the Bosphorus. You’ll also find the most beautiful pavilion of Topkapi Palace there, "Baghdad Pavilion", built in 1638 in honor of the occupation of Baghdad. The walls of the pavilion are lined with ceramic tiles and the inside of the dome is made of deer leather and gold. The windows are of ivory and pearl.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hagia Irene, situated in the outer courtyard of Topkap\u0131 Palace, stands as the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire<\/strong> (Byzantine) and the second-largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia. Initially constructed in 330 on the site of an older wooden temple, Hagia Irene suffered damage during the Nika Revolt in 532 and was subsequently rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Justinianus. The three-nave basilica, consisting of naos, narthex, and atrium, is the sole surviving example of a Byzantine church with a standing atrium. Renovations during the Iconoclastic era by Leo III and Constantine Copronymus altered its original decoration. Notably, the church served various purposes during the Ottoman Empire era, functioning as a loot and gun depot, later becoming the country's first official museum named Müze-i Hümayun. Today, Hagia Irene continues to showcase its rich history and architectural significance. Entrance tickets to Hagie Irene are sold separately and the tickets are not included with this tour<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n In the 1600s, Evliya Çelebi, a famous Ottoman author and traveler, said of Topkap\u0131 Palace: "Never hath a more delightful residence been erected by the art of man." <\/p>\r\n\r\n See it for yourself and get the most out of your visit to Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/strong>, the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Topkap\u0131 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n There is even a Holy Relics Chamber<\/strong> 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!<\/p>\r\n\r\n The Harem at Topkapi Palace<\/strong> 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<\/strong> 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. Explore this historical and architectural gem with your Istanbul Tourist Pass®.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The most visited museum<\/strong> in Turkey, Topkap\u0131 Palace is an absolute must-see while you're in Istanbul so add it to your itinerary now!<\/p>\r\n\r\n Less queuing, more viewing!<\/p>\r\n\r\n For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now!<\/strong><\/a> Istanbul Tourist Pass®<\/strong> is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience! <\/p>","passPrice":null,"remark":" To reach Havaist's Bus Stop Map, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>","hours":" To reach Havaist's timetable, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>","admission":"Avoid paying any ticket fees for the Istanbul Airport Shuttle service. Use your pass for Free 1 Way airport to city or city to airport transfer.","video_url":null,"dipNote":" Free <\/span>with Istanbul Tourist Pass®<\/p>","bannerText":" Avoid paying the entry fees and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Tourist Pass\u00ae.<\/p>\r\n One Way Airport Shuttle from IST Airport is Included in Istanbul Tourist Pass\u00ae\ufe0f\r\n<\/p>","learnMore":" Between Istanbul Airport and numerous locations<\/b> inside the city, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® provides pleasant passenger transportation services if needed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n With 105 cars that are appropriate for urban passenger transport with luggage, HAVAIST<\/b> operates this activity. These cars' interiors are entirely constructed with passenger comfort in mind. Because they use environmentally friendly gasoline, regularly disinfected cars also contribute to the preservation of nature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n On in-car screens outfitted with top-notch technological equipment, you may watch TV shows, movies, and other programming. By including WI-FI and USB-powered charging stations with its services, it aims to make travel enjoyable. Istanbul airport shuttle, Istanbul airport shuttle bus, Istanbul airport shuttle service, Istanbul airport transfer Istanbul airport shuttle, Istanbul airport shuttle sabiha gokcen, istanbul airport shuttle bus timetable, istanbul airport shuttle to Sultanahmet, airport shuttle in Istanbul, istanbul airport transfer to hotel, istanbul airport transfer istanbul airport shuttle, istanbul airport international transfer, istanbul shuttle service, istanbul airport bus havaist, istanbul airport bus timetable, istanbul airport shuttle bus havaist, shuttle bus istanbul airport to city.<\/p>","aboutTour":" <\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n Traveling to a foreign country can be challenging at times, especially if you don't know how to get to your hotel, <\/strong>if the taxis are reliable, how to communicate with the driver, etc. We are happy to assist you from the beginning of your Istanbul journey!<\/p>\r\n\r\n The Istanbul Tourist Pass® includes a one-way airport shuttle<\/strong> bus service from the Istanbul airport to the city center, or vice versa, depending on your request.<\/p>\r\n\r\n For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now!<\/a> Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience! <\/p>","passPrice":null,"remark":" Tram:<\/strong> Take the T1 tram line<\/strong> and get off at Sultanahmet Station<\/strong>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Metro: <\/strong>Take the M2 metro line<\/strong> to Vezneciler<\/strong> or \u015ei\u015fhane<\/strong>, then transfer to the T1 tram and get off at Sultanahmet Station<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Bus: <\/strong>Take any bus that stops at Sultanahmet<\/strong> or Eminönü<\/strong>. From Eminönü, you can walk or take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Taxi:<\/strong> You can take a taxi to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum by telling the driver to go to Sultanahmet in Fatih.<\/p>","hours":" This tour is available every day except Tuesdays<\/strong>. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early<\/strong> to meet your guide before the tour begins. The guide will be holding a purple and fuchsia umbrella.<\/p>","admission":"Avoid paying the fee to the Hagia Irene Museum and skip the ticket lines with the Istanbul Tourist Pass\u00ae.","video_url":null,"dipNote":" Free<\/span> with Istanbul Tourist Pass®<\/p>","bannerText":" Avoid paying the entry fees and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Tourist Pass\u00ae.<\/p>\r\n Hagia Irene Museum Entrance Ticket with Audio Guide is Included in Istanbul Tourist Pass\u00ae\ufe0f<\/p>","learnMore":" Hagia Irene Museum<\/strong> is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul, which combines modernity and tradition, and reflects the historical past of Istanbul in the most beautiful way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n This historical building, which is used today as a museum, is known as the first church of the Byzantine Empire. <\/b>With its unique architecture and imposing structure, it is one of the most impressive tourist attractions located in the heart of the city.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Constantine, one of the great emperors of the Roman Empire, wanted to build a church for himself and many other buildings at the beginning of the 4th century. The Hagia Irene Museum<\/b> was built for this purpose and was named after Penelope, a saint who lived at that time. It has remained one of the critical buildings located in the city throughout the Roman Empire. After Istanbul fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire, it was restored and used for different purposes. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Are you a traveler interested in history who wants to explore the unique structures of Istanbul? Hagia Irene is also the first structure of the Ottoman Empire to be used as a museum in the 19th century. So, be sure to add Hagia Irene Museum to your Istanbul travel itinerary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hagia Irene, which is of great importance as the first museum of the Ottoman Empire<\/strong>, leads to the most significant tourist attractions in the city. During the Ottoman Empire, it was used for various purposes instead of as a church or a museum. With the change of its architecture during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, the building began to be used as an internal arsenal. By the 19th century, many arsenals located there had become unusable and antiquated. <\/p>\r\n\r\n During this period, double-winged stairs were built into the structure, and its internal layout was significantly changed. Another thing added during the Ottoman period is the inscription dating 1726, which is still found on the main door. In 1846, the old church, now turned into a new museum, was divided into two parts. These parts include the "collection of antiquities" and the "collection of ancient weapons."<\/p>\r\n\r\n By 1869 the museum was officially turned into an Ottoman museum. In 1875, the archaeological artifacts found in Hagia Irene Museum were taken to the Tiled Kiosk. Later, when the First World War started, the collection of weapons in the museum was improved. Later, by 1930 it acquired the title of the first military museum of the Ottoman Empire.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hagia Irene, which features the long history of Istanbul in its architecture, has been standing for centuries. This impressive building has a mysterious architecture with its structure that does not differ from the classical Roman houses of worship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n One of the features that makes Hagia Irene Museum unique is that it is the only building with an atrium dating back to the Roman era. An atrium is a courtyard often seen in temples and sacred places.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The church, built by Constantine the Great, was created with the shape of a "three-nave basilica" on the floor and the form of a Greek cross on the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hagia Irene has faced many disasters to this day, but it has stood firm and is a magnificent tourist attraction <\/strong>for people from all over the world. An earthquake in the 700s destroyed the original building, which<\/span> was later rebuilt. During this period, new mosaics and motifs were added to the structure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The preservation of the appearance of the domed basilica was an important point during the restoration. These motifs and mosaics were largely untouched in the church during the Ottoman Period and were used as a museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\n If you are interested in such elegant structures, you should also see Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/a>, one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions. In the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, the construction of Topkap\u0131 Palace started. Visit both of these beautiful structures in Istanbul.<\/p>","aboutTour":" Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n Includes<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n Hagia Irene, or Holy Peace, was a Greek Eastern Orthodox church built under the orders of Emperor Constantine I over the ruins of a pagan temple as the first church in Constantinople. It served as the church of the Patriarchate until the <\/strong>basilica was built. Due to fires and earthquakes, the church suffered much damage and was restored on several occasions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople<\/strong>, the church was relocated inside the walls of Topkap\u0131 Palace, a<\/strong>nd although it was not converted into a mosque as most other churches, it still suffered damage at the hands of Ottoman soldiers when they used the building as an arsenal and warehouse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, it served as a military museum for 70 years and was then closed for a long period. In 2014, it was restored <\/strong>and reopened as a museum. Today, it is a popular location for classical music concerts because of its excellent acoustics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nThere are two entrances to Topkapi Palace. Most people use the main gate near Hagia Sophia, so it can get very crowded, especially during high season.<\/p>\r\n\r\nTopkapi Palace with its Unique Architecture<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
What does Topkapi Palace contain?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
First Gate and Courtyard<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
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Second Gate and Courtyard<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
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Harem<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
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Third Courtyard<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
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Fourth Courtyard<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
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Hagia Irene<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
Highlights of Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Highlights<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Includes<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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A Glimpse of Life and Luxury during the Ottoman Empire<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Highlights<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Includes<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Istanbul Airport Shuttle<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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\r\nStart time:<\/strong> 17:00
\r\nMeeting point:<\/strong> In front of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.<\/p>\r\n\r\nHistory of the Hagia Irene Museum<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
The Hagia Irene Museum Facts<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Architectural Structure and Transformation Over Time<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Hagia Irene Museum<\/h3>\r\n\r\n