Turkey · Castles & Palaces

5-Hour Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

5 Hours Round trip from Cankurtaran Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Topkapı Palace and the opulent Harem of the Ottoman sultans
02 See sacred relics, courtyards, pavilions, and historic Hagia Irini
03 Visit Hagia Sophia, a 1,500-year-old masterpiece of East Roman architecture
04 Bypass long ticket queues with skip-the-line access in busy season

Step into the heart of Istanbul's fascinating history with a professional, official guide on this 5-hour tour of Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia. Enjoy skip-the-line access to bypass the long ticket queues, especially helpful during the busy high season from April to the Christmas period. At Topkapı Palace, explore the lavish Harem, the sacred relics of the Ottoman Empire, and historic Hagia Irini, the city's oldest Byzantine church. Then visit Hagia Sophia, the 1,500-year-old cathedral famed for its soaring dome and intricate mosaics, for a memorable journey through Istanbul's past.

Then visit Hagia Sophia, the 1,500-year-old cathedral famed for its soaring dome and intricate mosaics, for a memorable journey through Istanbul's past.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

City Istanbul

Languages English, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul Old Town

Meet in front of the Ahmed III Fountain, next to the Hagia Sophia ticket office, at 11:00, except on Tuesdays.
Purchase the tickets and visit different sections of Topkapı Palace, including Hagia Irini, the Harem, the courtyards, and the pavilions.
Visit Hagia Sophia after purchasing the tickets.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Cankurtaran 1 city · 5 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Professional guiding service
Priority access to purchase entry tickets for Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia at the official standard rates.

What's Not Included

Ticket fees
Transportation
Food and drinks

What to bring

Since we won't be taking a break for lunch, you may bring some snacks with you.
Ladies who prefer not to pay for a headscarf at the entrance to Hagia Sophia can bring their own.

Know before you go

Tour meeting time and place: 11:00, in front of the Ahmed III Fountain in the Sultanahmet Quarter, except on Tuesdays. Please do not confuse it with the fountain of the same name located in the Üsküdar district.
Dress code for mosques: shorts or skirts above the knees are not allowed, shoulders must be covered, and a headscarf is required. It can be provided at the entrance of the Blue Mosque for free and at Hagia Sophia for a small fee.

Logistics