Istanbul Half Day Afternoon Topkapi Palace Tour
Afternoon Half Day Istanbul Tour (Ottoman Relics)
Explore Topkapi Palace and Sultans’ Tombs in a guided half-day afternoon tour. Includes treasury, relics, and historical insights. Starts from Sultanahmet.
Tour Overview
Join our Istanbul Half Day Afternoon Topkapi Palace Tour and step into the imperial world of the Ottoman Sultans. Starting from Sultanahmet Square, this guided small-group experience takes you to the Sultans’ Tombs and the historic Topkapi Palace, once the political heart of the Ottoman Empire. Learn from a professional local guide and walk through centuries of history, treasures, and legends — all in one afternoon.
- Afternoon guided tour with expert English-speaking guide
- Visit the Tombs of Ottoman Sultans and explore Topkapi Palace
- Marvel at the Treasury, Imperial Courtyards, and Islamic relics
- Perfect for those who want a short but rich historical experience
- Tour starts and ends at Sultanahmet Square
Tour Itinerary
13:30 ─ Meet at the designated point in Sultanahmet Square.
(Exact location will be provided after booking confirmation.)
- Sultans’ Tombs: Visit five magnificent tombs located next to Hagia Sophia. These include the resting places of Sultan Selim II, Murad III, Mehmed III, Mustafa I, and Ibrahim. Adorned with colorful tiles and rich calligraphy, each tomb offers insight into Ottoman royal life and architecture.
- Topkapi Palace: Enter the First Courtyard and view the exterior of Hagia Irene, one of the oldest churches in Istanbul. Then walk into the Second Courtyard where you’ll see the Imperial Kitchens and the Tower of Justice.
- Treasury Section: View the opulent displays of imperial jewels, including ceremonial swords, golden thrones, and the famed Topkapi Dagger.
- Islamic Relics: Witness the Sacred Trusts, including items believed to belong to the Prophet Muhammad, displayed in a reverent section of the palace.
17:00 ─ End of the tour.
Return transfer to Sultanahmet Square.
What's Included
Included
- English Speaking Licenced Tour guide
- All necessary land transportation by A/C Touristical Buses
- Local Taxes
Not Included
- Entrance fee to Topkapi Palace (Add during booking)
- Personal Expenses
- Entrance to Harem Section
- Any meal or drinks
- Any extra fees for transportation if your hotel is not central
- Pick up and drop off from hotels
Important Remarks
Please read the following important information carefully before booking. These remarks contain essential details about your tour experience.
- This is a walking tour. Please wear comfortable shoes.
- Topkapi Palace entrance ticket is extra, you can easily add during booking.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not provided — the tour starts and ends at a meeting point in Sultanahmet.
- Tour is conducted in small groups and led by a licensed English-speaking guide.
More Details
In the golden afternoon hours of Istanbul, your journey begins from the historic heart of Sultanahmet. Your guide greets you at the meeting point, and together with a small group of fellow history lovers, you set off on foot toward the past.
Your first stop is humbling — the Sultans’ Tombs, where five Ottoman rulers rest beneath exquisitely tiled domes. Here, your guide brings the rise and fall of dynasties to life with stories woven through marble and time.
Then, you step into the majestic grounds of the Topkapi Palace, once home to generations of sultans. In the cool courtyards and grand halls, you imagine courtly life. The Treasury dazzles with jewels and regalia, and the Holy Relics Room evokes reverence as you gaze upon sacred artifacts.
As the sun begins to descend over the Bosphorus, your tour ends where it began — in Sultanahmet — but with a deeper connection to Istanbul’s imperial soul.
That is the first visit and I can only express how much I liked Turkey. We did not have a long time that is why we visited several cities and I loved the beauty and history of each one. The guides were excellent professional, respectful, kind but above all, with a lot of passion in their job. The drivers were careful and also excellent. I would highly recommend this tour company. Thank you.
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