Topkapi Palace is open six days a week and is closed on Tuesdays. Opening hours change depending on the season. Visitors with Istanbul E-pass can join an English-speaking guided tour with the entrance ticket included.
Quick Answer:
From April 1 to October 1, Topkapi Palace is open from
09:00 to 18:00, with the last admission at
17:00.
The palace is closed every Tuesday.
What Are Topkapi Palace Opening Hours?
Topkapi Palace opening hours vary between the warmer and colder months. Tuesday is the regular closing day throughout the year.
April 1 to October 1
| Day |
Opening Hours |
Last Admission |
| Monday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
| Tuesday |
Closed |
— |
| Wednesday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
| Thursday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
| Friday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
| Saturday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
| Sunday |
09:00–18:00 |
17:00 |
October 2 to March 31
| Day |
Opening Hours |
Last Admission |
| Monday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
| Tuesday |
Closed |
— |
| Wednesday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
| Thursday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
| Friday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
| Saturday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
| Sunday |
09:00–16:45 |
15:45 |
Important: Opening hours can change for public holidays, religious holidays, special events or official arrangements. Check the latest schedule before visiting.
Is Topkapi Palace Open on Monday?
Yes. Topkapi Palace is open on Mondays. During the main season, regular visiting hours are 09:00–18:00, with the last admission at 17:00. Istanbul E-pass also offers guided tour times during the day.
Is Topkapi Palace Open on Tuesday?
No. Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. If Tuesday falls within your Istanbul itinerary, plan nearby attractions such as Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque instead.
Is Topkapi Palace Open on Sunday?
Yes. Topkapi Palace is open on Sundays. During the main season, the palace is open from 09:00 to 18:00. Sundays and weekends are generally busier, so visiting earlier in the day is recommended.
Is Topkapi Palace Open at Night?
Topkapi Palace does not normally remain open at night as part of its standard daily visiting hours. However, special night visits are organized during the summer season.
Topkapi Palace Night Visits:
Night visits are a seasonal summer program and are separate from regular daytime opening hours. During announced summer programs, the palace has opened on selected Saturday evenings from 21:00 to 23:00.
Night visits are not available throughout the year. The summer program normally ends in September, and new dates are announced separately by the National Palaces Administration.
If you specifically want to visit Topkapi Palace at night, check the official seasonal announcement before planning your visit. Regular daytime admission and Istanbul E-pass guided tours should not be confused with the separate night-visit program.
What Time Is the Last Entry to Topkapi Palace?
During the April 1 to October 1 schedule, the last admission is at 17:00 and the palace closes at 18:00. During the shorter winter schedule, visitors should arrive well before the published last admission time.
Do not plan to arrive close to closing time. Topkapi Palace is a large complex, so entering earlier gives you enough time to explore its courtyards, collections and main sections.
Topkapi Palace Tour Times with Istanbul E-pass
Istanbul E-pass includes a Topkapi Palace guided tour with ticket. Several tour times are available during the day, depending on the current timetable.
Important: Istanbul E-pass guided tour times are different from the palace's general opening hours. Check the latest guided tour timetable before your visit.
See the current
Istanbul E-pass guided tour timetable.
How Does Topkapi Palace Entry Work with Istanbul E-pass?
Visitors with Istanbul E-pass enter the palace with an Istanbul E-pass guide. Arrive at the meeting point around 10 minutes before the tour starts. The guide meets visitors near the main entrance of Topkapi Palace, and the guided tour is conducted in English. See ticket, meeting point and visit details on the
Topkapi Palace Museum Guided Tour with Ticket
page.
How Long Does the Topkapi Palace Guided Tour Take?
The Istanbul E-pass guided tour takes around 1 hour. Visitors can spend more time inside the palace after the guided part of the visit. Before your visit, you can also read
what to see inside Topkapi Palace.
Is the Harem Included with Istanbul E-pass?
No. The Harem section is not included with the Istanbul E-pass Topkapi Palace ticket. A separate ticket is required to visit the Harem.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Topkapi Palace?
The morning is the best time to visit Topkapi Palace. Arriving earlier gives you more time inside the palace and makes it easier to combine Topkapi Palace with other Sultanahmet attractions on the same day.
Tip: Choose one of the earlier Istanbul E-pass guided tours if you plan to visit several attractions in Sultanahmet. Avoid arriving close to the last admission time, especially if you want to explore the palace after the guided tour.
What Attractions Are Near Topkapi Palace?
Topkapi Palace is in the Sultanahmet area. Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Basilica Cistern and Blue Mosque are all nearby. You can combine several of these attractions on the same day.
Visit Topkapi Palace with Istanbul E-pass
Istanbul E-pass includes Topkapi Palace Museum admission with an English-speaking guided tour. Check the latest tour time before your visit.
View Topkapi Palace with Istanbul E-pass