Topkapı Palace with Harem & Blue Mosque Guided Tour
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Istanbul, Turkey
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the main attractions of Istanbul, as well as the small but equally wonderful details of the city on this small-group tour. Your guide takes you on an in-depth tour of both Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. You'll hear interesting stories that other tours fail to mention. .
- Interact with your guide and enjoy the intimacy of a small-group tour
- Learn the details of two of Istanbul’s most famous attractions
- Save time in Topkapı Palace with priority access
- Learn about the history of these impressive places with an expert guide
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Small Group
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratitudes
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Foodie-ist Cafe and BrasserieAlemdar, Muhterem Efendi Sk. No:13 Zemin kat, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
In front (outside) of FOODIE-IST CAFE AND BRASSERIE. It is approximately 2 minutes walking distance from (T1) Sultanahmet tram stop. Your guide will wear a tour guide badge and will be easy to spot.
End point
- Topkapi Palace MuseumCankurtaran, Babı Hümayun Cad No: 1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
The tour ends in the last courtyard of the palace. After the guided tour, guests can continue visiting the large exhibition halls.
Itinerary
1
Blue Mosque
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Sultanahmet District (Pass By)
2
TopkapI Palace
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Sogukcesme Sokak (Pass By)
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Modest clothing should be preferred when visiting the Blue Mosque. Shorts for men or women should be below the knee. Women cover their heads and exposed shoulders with a scarf or shawl, skirt should be below the knee. For those who do not have suitable clothes, stands are available at the entrance. Overalls and headscarves are provided for free of charge.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 76 reviews
nadimsawabini01, Jun 2024
The tour was wonderful. Nadriye was very patient with my elderly mother and my young daughter who were slower than the rest of us. She was very attentive and considerate.
The palace and mosque are a great glimpse into istanbuls wonderful history and a must see for any tourists in the city.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you had such a great experience on your **Istanbul tour**.
It's fantastic to hear that your guide, **Nadriye**, was so patient and attentive with your mother and daughter. Our guides are dedicated to ensuring everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable time, and we're very proud that she was so considerate.
We agree that the palace and mosque offer a wonderful glimpse into Istanbul's rich history and are truly must-see sites. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Nadriye.
Nicola_M, May 2024
Really competent guide, interesting and beautiful sites to visit.
Totally recommend in order to speed up the ticket process as well
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your review! We're so glad you had a great experience and found our guide to be competent and the sites interesting and beautiful.
We agree that a guided tour is the best way to speed up the ticketing process and make the most of your time in **Istanbul**. We appreciate your recommendation!
Kellie_T, May 2024
Erol was very charismatic and informative.
l think you should put in the title when there is extra costs involved for a tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback! It's wonderful to hear that Erol was so charismatic and informative. We're very proud of our guides, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
I also appreciate your note about the extra costs. You're right—it's crucial for us to be completely transparent. We are immediately reviewing our tour titles and descriptions to make sure all extra costs, like entrance fees, are clearly stated upfront. Your suggestion will help us improve the clarity of our listings for all future guests.
Charlotte_T, Apr 2024
Our guide was very knowledgeable, and willing to share. We were both injured (knee strains) and unable to walk quickly but our guide was extremely accommodating in that she walked slowly and allowed us frequent rest breaks. We appreciated her kindness and loved the history and current events that were shared with us throughout our time together. Thanks for the wonderful tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience on your **Istanbul tour**.
It's fantastic to know that your guide's knowledge and willingness to share made such a positive impact on your day. We're especially grateful for your feedback on how accommodating she was with your knee injuries—our guides are dedicated to ensuring every guest has a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and we're so proud that she delivered on that.
We'll be sure to pass along your thanks and kind words to her. We hope you had a memorable rest of your time in Istanbul!
Jessica_N, Sep 2023
Erol was a very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient tour guide. Great way to experience both Hagia Sophia and topkapi!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review! 🌟 We’re delighted that our Topkapı Palace with Harem & Blue Mosque Guided Tour provided such a memorable experience. Erol will be thrilled to hear that his friendliness, knowledge, and efficiency made exploring Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace so enjoyable.
Experiencing Istanbul’s iconic landmarks with a passionate local guide is one of the best ways to connect with the city’s history and culture. Your recommendation helps future travelers find authentic guided tours in Istanbul.
We hope to welcome you again soon — perhaps on a Hidden Streets Walking Tour, a culinary experience, or a Bosphorus cruise.
CHRISTOS_T, Aug 2023
Really sorry but it was the worst tour we 've ever had! Before the tour we received 2 messages that we should be in the meating time a bit earlier just to be sure that there would be no delays and it turned out that all the group was there in time except from our guide who came 20 minutes later and then we waited for 10 more minutes to get the cards. So the tour began half past hour later. Then we were waiting in the line to get to Hagia Sofia and when we were in the door, our guide just threw us 3 lines about the monument and said that it is not allowed to speak inside so she would wait us outside. Sadly, it seems that only our guide couldn't speak inside the Mosque as all the groups entered with their guide!! So we got no further details and we didn' know what to look for! Luckily, 1 person of the group already had a tour the previous day and gave us some tips about it!!!! Also, I should add that because of the delay we entered the Hagia Sofia in time of praying, meaning that the women couldn't move freely in the temple because some places were restricted.
In Top Capi, at first we were waiting the long queus( it was supposed to be a skip the line tour) and after 15 minutes, all of a sudden, we moved forward! Still we got poor information about this monument also.
Just to make the long story short, the tour didn' t worth a dollar we spent! We would have done a lot of better just by ourselves and we would have saved our money!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Guest,
I want to express my sincerest apologies for the experience you had during your recent tour with us. It deeply saddens us to learn that we fell short of your expectations, and I appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my apologies for the delay at the beginning of the tour. Punctuality is of utmost importance to us, and I understand the frustration that can arise from a delayed start. I'm truly sorry for any inconvenience this caused.
Regarding your experience inside Hagia Sophia and the Mosque, I am sorry that you felt you didn't receive the in-depth information and insights that you expected. Our aim is to provide our guests with a meaningful and educational experience, and I regret that this was not the case for you on this occasion.
I also apologize for the misunderstanding regarding the skip-the-line access. The long queues and lack of clear communication were not the standard we aspire to uphold, and I'm truly sorry for any confusion or frustration this caused.
Please know that your feedback is incredibly valuable to us, as it helps us to identify areas for improvement and to refine our services. We take your comments seriously and will be reviewing our procedures to ensure that such issues do not recur in the future.
We truly value your business and the opportunity you gave us to showcase the beauty of our city. I understand that your experience was far from what you anticipated, and for that, I am deeply sorry. If you would consider giving us another chance, I would personally ensure that your next experience with us is nothing short of exceptional.
Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention, and I hope that we can work towards regaining your trust.
Warm regards,
T.K.
Diana_A, Aug 2023
I expected something very different. I was very disappointed with the very little information about the two sightseeings given from the Tour Guide. I thought there would be advanced Information about Hagia Sophia and topkapi Palast. The Tour Guide bought the ticket for us and told us where to get in line for the queue. I can do that by myself. The price (40€; I booked one day before) is definitely not adequate. I would never book it again.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Diana,
I want to express my sincerest apologies for the disappointment you experienced during your recent tour with us. Your feedback is truly invaluable to us as it helps us recognize areas where we can improve our services.
I'm truly sorry that the tour did not meet your expectations in terms of the information provided about Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. We strive to offer in-depth insights into the historical and cultural significance of each sight, and it's clear that we fell short in delivering that experience to you. We will be reviewing our tour content and guide training to ensure that future guests receive the enriching experience they deserve.
Your point about the ticket purchasing process is well taken. Our goal is to make your experience as seamless as possible, and it's disappointing to hear that you felt the instructions were not up to par. Your feedback highlights the need for us to refine this aspect of our service.
I understand your concern about the pricing as well. Our tours are designed to provide value beyond what can be achieved through self-guided exploration. I'm sorry that you didn't feel the tour justified the cost. We will be reevaluating our pricing structure and the value we offer to ensure that our guests are receiving an experience that matches their investment.
I completely understand your hesitation to consider booking with us again based on this experience. However, I would like to extend an invitation for you to give us another chance. We are committed to learning from our mistakes and evolving to meet our guests' expectations. Should you decide to join us again in the future, I will personally ensure that your experience is nothing short of exceptional.
Once again, I apologize for the disappointment you experienced during your tour. Your feedback is helping us make the necessary changes to ensure that our future guests have a more rewarding experience with us.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, and I hope to have the opportunity to restore your faith in our services.
Warm regards,
T.K.
NEIL_S, May 2023
The tour guide. His explanations and discussions we had were very informative. It was just my wife and I, so the pace of the tour was what we wanted, If I did another tour in Istanbul I would try and contact him. The queue at Hagia goes quickly and Erol uses this time to explain all about the Hagia
Ivan_M, May 2023
We missed our flight to Istanbul and were not able to make the tour. Maybe next time . There is nothing else to say.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Ivan,
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we appreciate your understanding of the situation. We're sorry to hear about the missed flight that prevented you from joining our tour. While we regret that the circumstances didn't align for this visit, we completely understand that travel plans can encounter unexpected challenges.
It's unfortunate that this experience wasn't what you had planned, but please rest assured that we're here whenever you're able to visit Istanbul in the future. We'd be thrilled to have the opportunity to show you the sights and share our city's rich history and culture on a future tour.
If you have any questions or if there's anything we can assist you with, please feel free to reach out. Safe travels on your upcoming journeys, and we look forward to the chance to provide you with a memorable tour when the time is right.
Warm regards,
T.K.
Martin_T, May 2023
Knowledgeable guide with a friendly and relaxed approach, great experience, hagia sophia was impressive!
Mistina_K, Apr 2023
The guide, Tolga, was informative and friendly. He answered questions from the group and kept us interested in the places we visited. Highly recommend this tour.
michele_l, Apr 2023
Difficult to choose a favourite; it was all so incredibly beautiful. Our guide Tolga was superb; knowledgeable, professional, friendly and well spoken.
Allison_N, Mar 2023
This tour greatly enhanced our experience even though we had to stand in a long line at Hagia Sophia. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and kept us entertained the whole time in line. Thanks so much for a memorable trip!
Fauzia_N, Feb 2023
The history of Aya Sophia . The guide was very knowledgeable and it was very easy to communicate with him in English.
Jane_L, Nov 2022
Erol was a splendid and knowledgeable guide, and I had an unexpected personal tour! The meeting place was convenient to the Hagia Sophia, Erol brought history and architecture to life. and paced the tour wonderfully. Comprehensive visıt to Topkapi Palace. Hagia Ireni. and clear directions for individual exploration. Suggestion: Add a visit to the Kenyali Cafe and Pavilion (since 1897) in the Palace grounds for refreshments!
Response from Host, Feb 2023
That sounds like a great suggestion to add to the tour! I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience with Erol and that he was knowledgeable and provided a comprehensive visit to the Topkapi Palace and other sites. It's always a plus when a guide can bring history and architecture to life and give clear directions for individual exploration. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Sophie_L, Oct 2022
Erol was a terrific guide! He moved the tour along at the perfect pace, and we learnt so much from our time with him. Would highly recommend to others!
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Thank you for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear that Erol provided an excellent tour experience and that you found his pace and knowledge to be just right. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on another tour in the future!
M_S, Oct 2022
Great tour guide. Knowledgeable. Spoke good English. Was waiting there on time. Tookus 2hrs - wewere the only couple there on the day so ended up being a private tour.
Hugo_F, Aug 2022
The tour operator was nice, dedicated, professional and we learnt a lot of Istanbul History thanks to his tour. Would love to doit again!
Cristina_C, Aug 2022
The guide was knowledgeable and very professional. I highly recommend him. He was amazing and tried to answer questions individually.
Christopher_C, Jul 2022
Witnessing how grand Hagia Sophia is inside and how impressive the architecture is learning it was built in just 6 years wow
Kaleem_D, Jun 2022
Our tour guid Erol, was the best. He was very informative and kept us occupied during waiting times. For Aya Sofia tour, the doors open at 10 am. People start lining up before 8 am so there was a very long line before us. We finally got in after standing in heat for about an hour. I must say the experience was not that good as good as it was before they declared it a mosque. I also toured it 5 years ago when It was a museum. It was great. Now there are many restrictions. The historical images in the mosque are either fully covered or partially covered. That totally takes away from the purpose of the tour that is to see these things in person. Aya Sofia tour is not worth it anymore.
Then the tour guide took us to the Topkapi Palace. The tickets are not included so you will have to buy the tickets. After that the tour guide took us in. It was great to see the 4 courtyards of the palace. Again, the tour guide Eral, made it so much better. Oh one tip. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. There’s a lot of uphill walking. Cheers.
David_S, Jun 2022
Erol was an excellent tour guide, incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Our tour was amazing and I would recommend it as an excellent way to see these landmarks.
JohnA_P, Jun 2022
Visit to Hagia Sophia and its history. I have fulfilled a wish I have had for years!
My wife enjoyed it too.
Ana_V, Jun 2022
Great tour! The guide was really nice and gave us a good historical perspective of hagia sophia and the palace.
Marina_K, May 2022
We took a guided tour to Hagya Sofia and Topkapi palace with Erol in May 22. It started on time, everything was well organized. Erol is a very knowledgeable, he presented the rich history of Istanbul in an interesting way and answered our multiple questions.
Mattie_C, May 2022
Guide was excellent! Good value and greatly enhanced our experience. On time, knowledge, small group.
Andrey_A, May 2022
It was a very nice tour guide, a lot of interesting information about the history of Istanbul. Thank you Erol!
danishbb, Apr 2022
really amazing tour quite, super knowledgeable and made it a fun experience! definitely recommend to anyone who is travelling!
Nicholas_M, Apr 2022
Where to start! This was an amazing tour. We met our guide in front of Medusa Restaurant. There was supposed to be 2 others joining us, but they didn't show up. Lucky for the two of us we had our guide to ourselves. We started out at the Hagia Sophia, where our guide gave us a lot of in depth history on the site and pointed out a lot of things we would not of known had we done a self guided visit. We then moved on over to Topkapi Palace where he did the same. I have used viator and tour operators all over the world and our guide was TOP NOTCH. Extremely Friendly, Knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. His name was Erol Utgun. I am planning to revisit Turkey again for a month this summer and will definitely be booking with them again for some of the other tours they offer!
RINA_N, Apr 2022
Erol (our guide), was so detailed in his explanation, and he shared so much Information and esp. Since we had Zero knowledge to begin with. He was patient and very friendly and so professional, making sure we were able to catch all the details and making sure he gave us as much as he could in the short 4hrs. There was jus me and mum, and he also made she could understand him. It was abit rushed, but i guess 4 hours really isn't enough for evrrything including walking around, so Erol did the best he could for us, and we appreciate it. We learnt alot about the history of Turkey, the ottoman empire, the different significant cultural and religious influences. Wish I booked a longer tour now! Anyway we aren't allowed to take any pictures in most of the museums and it was super crowded. But at least with Erol, we manage to get tickets to topkapi Palace without needing to queue, and he provided us with bags to put our shoes in when we visited Hagia Sophia mosque. Overall we had a great tour and would highly recommend Erol to all history buffs and those we appreciate the details!
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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