30-06-2025
The Topkapı Palace Museum Becomes The Next Istanbul Landmark To Offer Night Visits
View of the Gate of Salutation (the Middle Gate) leading to the Second Courtyard of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The Topkapi Palace is a popular tourist attraction in Turkey. getty
The Topkapı Palace Museum has become the next major Istanbul landmark to announce it will be offering nighttime visits for tourists this summer. The evening visits will run every Saturday evening from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., from now until September 14.
The sprawling palace and museum require careful planning to visit. It's easy to spend an entire day exploring its Harem, pavilions, and collection of relics and artifacts — which during the hot summer days in Istanbul can start to feel like akin to marathon. The addition of nighttime hours means visitors will have more time to take in the history of the palace at cooler temperatures.
'Topkapı Palace is situated on one of Istanbul's famous seven hills. Visitors will not only see its galleries, sections and artifacts but also get the chance to view Istanbul from some of its highest vantage points, especially the Fourth Courtyard,' Ilhan Kocaman, deputy director of Topkapı Palace, explained.
The nighttime visits will be held in two different groups, with all tours starting and ending at the Imperial Gate (Bâb-ı Hümâyûn), with tickets and audioguides available at the main entrance of the palace.
The air view of Topkapı Palace with Golden Horn. Top view of The Topkapı Palace which is a museum from 1923, was served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The palace located at the Seraglio Point, called Sarayburnu in Turkish, in Historical Peninsula. The Palace surrounded by high walls. All the sections of building and parks around it can seen with a view from top. The neigbourhood of Fatih, Sarayburnu and the Karaköy can seen with the Galata Bridge which obe handles flow of traffic on Golden Horn. getty
'We aim to allow visitors to see as many areas as possible at night, just as they would during the day,' Kocaman added. The biggest draw of visiting at night — even if you've been there during the day? The nighttime views of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara from the seaside palace reflect a totally different perspective of Istanbul.
The Topkapı Palace is of great significance to Istanbul and to the larger history of the Ottoman Empire. It was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 until the completion of the Dolmabahçe Palace in Beşiktaş in 1856. It also served as the main residence of the Ottoman sultans and their families during this time.
View from the sea of the Topkapi Palace. getty
Due to its historical significance and well-preserved example of Mimar Sinan architecture, the Topkapı Palace was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and sees more than three million visitors each year.
Tickets to the Topkapı Palace cost around $60 per person for a self-guided tour with an audio guide or about $80 for a tour with an authorized local tour guide. Entrance is free for visitors under the age of six.
