You'll enjoy priority entry to Topkapi Palace, the Harem and Hagia Irene with an expert English-speaking guide. The tour brings the highlights of the Ottoman Empire to life with engaging historical insights.
Your guide will meet you at the iconic Sultanahmet Square, across from the Blue Mosque. From there, it's a short 5-minute walk to Topkapi Palace, passing Hagia Sophia along the way as your guide shares fascinating stories of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Your journey begins at Hagia Irene, one of Istanbul's oldest surviving churches, located in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace complex. Dating back to the 4th century, this remarkable monument offers a rare glimpse into the city's early Christian past.
You'll then continue into the magnificent Topkapi Palace, a vast imperial complex that served as the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. You'll walk through grand ceremonial spaces, lush courtyards and historic chambers while your guide brings the world of the sultans to life.
The tour concludes with access to the Harem, a separate and intimate section of the palace where the sultans and their families lived. You'll discover the secrets, traditions and power structures hidden behind its ornate doors.
After the guided tour, there's free time to take photos and continue exploring the palace at your own pace.
