Istanbul, Turkey: Visiting the Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi)

I was so glad to have made the visit to Topkapi Palace. I actually came here 2 days before my actual visit but when I saw the kilometre-long queue I gave up. I hate standing in line, which unfortunately you have to if you want to see the highlights in Istanbul. I then decided to come back on my last day in the morning, just before 10AM and when I arrived the queue was already very long.

The Gate of Felicity in the Second Courtyard.

Then I realised that there were actually 2 ticket queues: 1) Queue to the tickets window manned by cashiers 2) Queue to the ticket machines. And for some reason the queue to the ticket machines was longer and many people actually have no idea that they can buy the ticket from the tickets cashier. It was strange. Nevertheless, I made the queue change and in minutes I got my ticket. That saved me a lot of time. Perhaps 15-30 minutes!

The palace is gorgeous. The grounds are one of the beautiful palaces I have ever seen. So rich in architecture and history. There seems to be always a surprise lurking in every corner. A lovely garden with a sea of red tulips, a beautiful courtyard or a stunning pavilion that brings you back to the Ottoman Empire.

Topkapi Palace or Topkapi Sarayi was one of the major residency of the Ottoman sultans during the 15th century to the mid-19th century. They reigned for 624 years.

There is indeed so much to see here. You need a full day to visit the palace but if you are running out of hours, do reserve half a day minimum. Some of the buildings have long queues and the huge harem (which you have to pay separately) needs at least 1-2 hours depending on your pace. Additionally, you can eat in the palace grounds as well, there are restaurants available.

I spent a morning and a lunch here with a lovely view of the Bosphorus. I tell you, during this visit I barely scratched the place. But I had to leave as I have a flight in the afternoon to catch.

For more information about the palace, go here: Topkapi Palace. It is open daily except Tuesdays and visiting hours vary between winter and summer seasons.

I will post the harem apartments soon and some lovely views from the palace.

This is in the Seond Courtyard and behind this gallery is the kitchen.

Gate of Felicity (BÃ¢bÃ¼ssaÃ¢de).

At the Third Courtyard. The Conqueror’s Pavilion (Fatih KÃ¶ÅŸkÃ¼) houses the Imperial Treasury.

At the Fourt Courtyard. The Tulip Garden and the Terrace Kiosk.

The Arz OdasÄ±, or the Audience Chamber.

Lots of photo shoots here in the Tulip Garden. Trivia: Did you know that Tulips originally came from Turkey and not the Netherlands?

The Tower of Justic and the Imperial Council Divan.

Stunning details of the Imperial Council Hall.

You can see a lot of influence from European architecture in the palace. It is designed primarily in Ottoman architecture with lots of Baroque influences and Rococo styles.