When you’re planning a trip to Istanbul, you’ll inevitably come across Topkapi Palace, one of the city’s most famous attractions. You’ll probably also notice that the palace has a harem, which requires purchasing a separate ticket. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ll wonder if spending the money on that separate ticket to the Topkapi Palace harem is worth it.
I’m here to hopefully answer that question for you! I’ve been to Istanbul several times (most recently this summer) and I’ve visited Topkapi Palace and its harem several times. Below, I’ll explain the difference between the palace and the harem, the price of a separate harem ticket, whether or not the Topkapi Palace harem is worth visiting and how to make the most of your time inside the Topkapi Palace grounds.
What is Topkapi Palace?
Constructed in the middle of the 15th Century, Topkapi Palace performed double duty as both the family home and the administrative headquarters for the sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
The palace complex consists of four courtyards, each surrounded by different buildings, pavilions, fountains and gardens. Each sultan who lived in the palace made some modifications, so there are examples of Islamic, Ottoman and European design throughout the complex.
In the mid-1800s, the sultan moved the royal court to Dolmabahçe Palace, which had been built on the opposite waterfront several decades earlier. Topkapi Palace then became a museum, opening its doors in 1924 (almost exactly 100 years ago!). Today, it is part of a series of sites across the district that together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Topkapi Palace covers about 600,000 square meters on the eastern edge of Istanbul’s Fatih district, within easy walking distance of other attractions in Sultanahmet like the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.
What is the Topkapi Palace Harem?
In Arabic, “harem” refers to a family’s private living space, and in particular it refers to the area where women lived away from the prying eyes of unrelated men. These women could include wives, concubines, mothers, daughters and female servants, and they shared their private space with any prepubescent sons.
In its heyday, Topkapi Palace’s harem was home to between 300 and 1000 wives and concubines (different sources cite different numbers). These women competed for the sultan’s favor by attempting to give birth to a son, which might make a woman marriage material in the sultan’s eyes.
At Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, the harem is not included in a standard admission, and requires the purchase of a supplementary ticket (see below).
The harem itself makes up about a quarter of the entire palace site (so, a lot!) and includes luxurious family apartments, pavilions decorated with Iznik tiles, entertaining spaces, several traditional Turkish baths (hammams) and many other areas you can visit. While not all are open to visitors, the entire harem section consists of over 300 different rooms.
How much do Topkapi Palace Harem tickets cost?
Tickets to the Topkapi Palace Harem cost 200 TL, which must be paid on top of the 750 TL admission to Topkapi Palace. You should buy your harem tickets at the same time as you buy your palace tickets – either at one of the ticket booths in front of the palace or at one of the automated kiosks near the entrance.
The Topkapi Palace Harem is included in both the Istanbul Museum Pass and the Turkiye Museum Pass. Personally, I used a Turkey Museum Pass on my most recent trip and found it to be a good value.
Note: Turkey is currently experiencing hyperinflation and prices fluctuate constantly. Prices are accurate at press time (Autumn 2023) but should be confirmed before visiting.
Is the Topkapi Palace Harem worth it?
I can say without a doubt that the Topkapi Palace Harem is worth it. I’ve visited Topkapi Palace three times, and every time I’ve left feeling like the harem was a highlight of my visit.
It’s true that you do have to pay extra to visit the harem, but this is where you’ll find the opulent interiors and intimate corners that help you imagine life in the Ottoman Empire. I’ve been really mindful in this post to share some of the most beautiful interiors that you’ll get to see, while also leaving lots out so that you’ll be wowed when you see them in-person for the first time!
As well, the vast majority of tourists skip over the harem, so you’ll have a welcome escape from the crowds that fill Sultanahmet (and the palace grounds just outside the harem walls).
This is one of the coolest things you can see and do in Istanbul, and I’ve never heard from anyone who regretted investing a little bit of extra time and money in visiting this unique attraction.
Tips for Visiting the Topkapi Palace Harem
Are you convinced that it’s worth visiting the Topkapi Palace Harem? Great! Here are a few tips to get the most of your time in the palace and the harem.
- Visit the Topkapi Palace Harem first, as soon as the palace opens. We were there in high season but had the harem almost entirely to ourselves for the first hour that the palace was open!
- If you have an Istanbul Museum Pass or a Turkey Museum Pass, you can just scan your card at the turnstile to enter the harem. Your pass allows you to enter the harem one time.
- While there are former royal toilets inside the Topkapi Palace harem, I don’t remember there being any public toilets inside the ticketed harem area. Use the toilets in the courtyard before you scan your ticket or card to enter the harem.
- Plan to spend at least 45-60 minutes in the harem itself. The time you’ll need in the rest of the palace varies from about an hour just to see the open-air areas to several hours if you want to go inside every building to see the items on display.
- There are many areas (especially interior rooms) where photography is not permitted, but we noticed the security guards didn’t seem to mind (and one even offered to take our photo in an area where photography was supposedly prohibited). If you do take photos in front of a security guard, be discreet so the guard doesn’t get in trouble.
- While a free audioguide is included in admission to the palace, the queue to pick up the guide can be extremely long. A good alternative is the Rick Steves Istanbul guidebook, which has a comprehensive and informative guide to the harem (and the rest of the palace).
- If you’re passionate about Ottoman history, you may want to join a guided tour of Topkapi Palace and its harem. Be careful to book a tour (like this one) that actually includes the harem, as many don’t.
Thinking about visiting lstanbul? I have a few other posts you’ll want to read:
My Istanbul Hotel Recommendations
My Favorite Things to Do in Sultanahmet
My Absolute Favorite Food Tour In Istanbul (I’ve Taken It Twice!)
My Guide to Visiting Kadikoy and Moda (Istanbul’s Asian Side)
A Review of the New Istanbul Modern Contemporary Art Museum
The Best Things to Do in Fener & Balat
Planning a trip to Istanbul? Pin this post for later!
 |
 |