Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Harem & Blue Mosque Tour

Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are two of the city’s unmissable cultural and historic sites. Focusing on these two places will allow you to concentrate on their beauty and unique histories at leisure, without rushing on to other sites. Save time by skipping the ticket line in Topkapı Palace with priority access, definitely a bonus whether it’s your first time in Istanbul or you’re a repeat visitor.

1. 1

   Blue Mosque

   1 hour

   Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.

2. 2

   TopkapI Palace

   2 hours

   Topkapı Palace was the seat of Ottoman Empire more than 380 years where 24 of 36 Sultans lived and ruled their land. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1924 and now one of Turkey’s richest museums with its permanent and temporary exhibition halls. Buildings and courtyards, including a treasury, apartments, bathhouses, harems, and an armoury, holy relics section, not to mention imperial halls, kitchens and royal chambers that make a visit into Topkapi’s inner walls one of the world’s great wonders. Treasures within include 13th-century Japanese porcelain, weaponry used by the Ottoman army, 86 carat 4th biggest diamond of its kind and world famous Topkapi Dagger any many more..

3. 3

   Sogukcesme Sokak

   Pass by

   This is a small street with beautiful historic houses which are leaning against the wall of Topkapi Palace. Sogukcesme means, the cold fountain in English and street is named after the fountain situated at its end.

4. 4

   Sultanahmet Square

   10 min

   This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

5. 5

   Sultanahmet District

   10 min

   "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.

6. 6

   Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

   Pass by

   The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee. For those who do not have suitable clothes, stands are available at the entrance. Overalls and headscarves are provided for free of charge.
• If the All-Inclusive option is not selected, the entrance fee to Topkapı Palace (€55 per person) is not included in the tour price. You can pay the entrance fee to your guide in cash in EUR, or the equivalent amount in Turkish Lira (TL) or USD, or via an online payment link provided by your guide. Your guide will then arrange access so you can skip the regular ticket-purchase queue.
• Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the activity starts. Finding a taxi and traffic congestion can sometimes cause delays, so we kindly recommend allowing extra time for your journey.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.