You booked this experience
Make your trip unforgettable

Topkapi Palace with Harem Walking Tour with Guide

6 Reviews 4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 6 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Istanbul, Turkey
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

3 hours 20 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Topkap Palace was the grand residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for more than 400 years. And there are amazing historical stories and details in each corner of the palace, and on regular tourist group tours, people are skipping all the details and concluding the tour in an hour, which is totally not enough. As a professional historian guide, we will discover all parts of the palace in detail in 3 hours.

What's Included

  • Professional English Speaking Historian Tour Guide
  • Lunch
  • Entrance fee
  • Entry ticket for Harem section, Aya Irini Church and Topkapi Palace Museum is in one ticket-$26.00
See 3 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sultan Ahmet Sultanahmet Meydanı Topkapı Sarayı
Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

TopkapI Palace

After meeting, , we will enter the Palace from the Babu Humayun gate and start to explore the Topkapi Palace from this gate. Topkapi Palace was a living, education and management center of the Ottoman Sultans and family. We will detailly explore each gate and gardens of the Palace.We will be visiting and informing about each part of the palace with the hidden stories and details.We will also visit the Harem Section of the Topkapi Palace where many people is not visiting.We will see Babuhumayun Gate, Royal Mint, Babusselam gate, Fatih open air museum, Kitchens of the Palace, Harem Section, Justice Tower, Divan-ı Humayun, Treasure, Babussade gate, Chamber of Petitions , Enderun ( "Interior Service" of the Imperial Court )
Read more

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Hagia Irene Museum

The Second Largest Church After Hagia Sophia: The Hagia Irene located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace is the oldest church of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine). It was also the second largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia. Hagia Irene, originally means “sacred peace” (Hagia Eirene), has a special meaning as the first place where Turkish museology was born.Hagia Irene, a typical Byzantine structure with its materials and architecture, was built on the site of an old temple in 330. During the reign of Emperor Justinianus, the Nika Revolt in 532 led to the devastation of both Hagia Sophia and the Hagia Irene, and two of them were rebuilt together.After the fall of Constantinople since the church was not converted into a mosque it was used as loot and gun depot (Harbiye Warehouse) for a long time.
Read more

20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Topkapi Palace Museum

We will visit the most interesting part of the Palace, which is Harem Section.The Topkapi Palace Harem is undoubtedly the most opulent part of the palace. A world of lavishly decorated marble hallways, arched doorways, and over 400 rooms. Read on to get an idea of the lavish lifestyle that was led by the Ottoman Sultans in the Harem. The Harem, build at the end of the 16th century, was a labyrinth consisting of around 300 magnificently tiled rooms, connected by courtyards and fountain gardens.Since Islam forbade enslaving Muslims, the majority of the harem women were Christians or Jews, mostly received as gifts from potentates and nobles. Especially girls from Circassia, the area now known as Georgia and Armenia, were favored for their dazzling beauty.After entering the Harem, the girls were schooled in and converted to Islam and received proper palace training: they were taught how to write, read, play an instrument, sing, dance and provide pleasure to the sultan.
Read more

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Show 2 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Topkapi Palace with Harem Walking Tour with Guide?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-281010P6

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.83
6 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 6 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
5
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Tour to Pamukkale Ephesus Cappadocia + Rides by Balloon & ATV

Follow the footsteps of Greeks and Romans at the Ephesus and Hierapolis, then see the natural beauties of Turkey such as Salda Crater Lake and …More

Follow the footsteps of Greeks and Romans at the Ephesus and Hierapolis, then see the natural beauties of Turkey such as Salda Crater Lake and...

4 days Hotel pickup offered
from
$823

5-Day Aegean Tour - Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale

Travel along the breathtaking coastline of Turkey’s Aegean region, full of ancient Greek cities, on this tour from Istanbul. With your local guide, visit the …More

Travel along the breathtaking coastline of Turkey’s Aegean region, full of ancient Greek cities, on this tour from Istanbul. With your local guide, visit the...

5 days
4.5 (86)
from
$1,460

10 Days Private Tour of Turkey

This private tour is for our guests who are coming to Turkey not only to see the sites, but to understand it’s culture, history, food, …More

This private tour is for our guests who are coming to Turkey not only to see the sites, but to understand it’s culture, history, food,...

10 days Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (41)
from
$2,313

Full Day Troy Tour From Istanbul

Travel back to the days of the Trojan War and such legends of ancient history as Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Homer on a full-day …More

Travel back to the days of the Trojan War and such legends of ancient history as Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Homer on a full-day...

15 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.5 (2)
from
$171

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul

Discover the beauty of Istanbul on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise Tour and enjoy spectacular views from the water as you sail between Europe and Asia. …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Discover the beauty of Istanbul on a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise Tour and enjoy spectacular views from the water as you sail between Europe and Asia....

1 to 2 hours Free Cancellation
4.8 (1,047)
from
$7

Istanbul Mega Lufer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show Pvt Table

With the magical view of the Bosphorus, the historical silhouette of Istanbul, the sea and the unique beauty of the night, we are at your …More

With the magical view of the Bosphorus, the historical silhouette of Istanbul, the sea and the unique beauty of the night, we are at your...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.7 (2,609)
from
$32

Istanbul E-pass: Top Istanbul Attractions with Skip The Ticket Line

Istanbul E-pass is a fully digital sightseeing pass that covers over 100 top Istanbul Attractions. Choose your E-pass 1,2,3,5 or 7 days and enjoy the …More

Istanbul E-pass is a fully digital sightseeing pass that covers over 100 top Istanbul Attractions. Choose your E-pass 1,2,3,5 or 7 days and enjoy the...

1 to 7 days Free Cancellation
4.9 (1,420)
from
$143

Istanbul Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

Discover the history and culture of the famous Whirling Dervishes during this 1-hour at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha. Wander the Whirling Dervishes’ museum and learn about their …More

Discover the history and culture of the famous Whirling Dervishes during this 1-hour at Istanbul’s Hodjapasha. Wander the Whirling Dervishes’ museum and learn about their...

1 hour Free Cancellation
4.1 (437)
from
$26

What's Included

Activity name

  • Professional English Speaking Historian Tour Guide
  • Lunch
  • Entrance fee
  • Entry ticket for Harem section, Aya Irini Church and Topkapi Palace Museum is in one ticket-$26.00

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name