Ottoman Istanbul Tour: History and Myths Unveiled

Explore the Topkapi Palace and Harem on a small-group guided tour with priority admission. Discover the history and myths of Ottoman Istanbul, see the Holy Relics and Imperial Kitchens, and admire stunning views of the Bosphorus.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Sultanahmet District - Meet your expert guide and join your small group for a walking tour of Topkapi Palace and see its Harem, too.
    Visit the top site in Istanbul with priority admission tickets.
  • Topkapi Palace - Start your tour after you pass Sultanahmet Square.
    Enjoy your guide’s commentary about Topkapi and the Ottoman Sultans who…
What's Included
  • Small group tour
  • Expert local guides
  • Headsets to hear the guide better
  • Skip-the-line tickets for Topkapi Palace
  • Skip-the-line tickets for the Harem
  • Starting from Galata Port (If this option is selected)
Additional Information

Explore the rich history and legends of Ottoman Istanbul on an intimate guided tour.
Enjoy priority access tickets to skip the queues, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Experience the Harem firsthand, the secluded residence of the Sultans.
Discover the Holy Relics, Imperial Kitchens, Royal Court, and the terraced gardens adorned with tulips.
Take in…

Location
Ersoy Bufe
At Meydanı Caddesi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(191 Ratings)
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Lostsmoothie
Jul 17, 2025
Great guided tour! - We took a tour in mid-June. Of all the sights in Istanbul to take a guided tour, Topkapi Palace is probably the best for it - it's a massive complex with tons of history. Having a guide ensured we understood the historical and cultural importance of all the buildings, as well as didn't miss out on anything. Our guide Elif was truly exceptional! We loved her ability to bring history to life, more than what is just written on any displays of artifacts/buildings. She answered all our questions and kept our small group engaged and together for the ~3 hours. Without Elif, we would have gone to this place solo and wandered inefficiently without hearing about the fascinating stories. Although expensive, all sights in Istanbul are for foreign tourists, so for just a bit more you can get the added value of a local to guide you through this beautiful palace. Thank you, Elif!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pink2017
Jul 3, 2025
Topkapi Palace and gardens is a must see! - Our small group tour was great. The guide was friendly and informative. I would definitely recommend to go in the morning while to weather is cool and before the cruise ships come in. Be sure to make time to walk through the public gardens there too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tasha_n
Jun 26, 2025
A fantastic guided visit to Topkapi Place and Harem - We had a wonderful experience visiting Topkapi Palace and the Harem with Walks in Europe. Our guide was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging - bringing the rich history of the Ottoman Empire to life in a way that was fascinating. Topkapi is a vast and intricate complex, and having a guide made a big difference. We were able to navigate the highlights efficiently and gained insights that we would have missed on our own. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to make the most of their time at this historic site.
Review provided by Viator
Debra
Jun 21, 2025
Throughly recommend Topkapi Palace Tour & Harem - I would thoroughly recommend this Topkapi Palace & Harem tour. The Palace has 4 courtyards landscaped with stunning gardens. Guide Emre Tan’s passion for Turkish history enabled him to convey the palace’s comprehensive background. Be prepared to stay longer at the Palace after your tour ends to see even more exhilarating displays. Walks In Europe operate well organised tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karenhg8684uy
Jun 18, 2025
Great Tour of Topkapi Palace - Very good tour of palace with extremely knowledgeable guide. Beautiful buildings - inside and out. Incredible history lesson.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karenaq7607ap
Jun 17, 2025
Changed my mind on group tours - This small group tour exceeded my expectations. Aip, the guide was informative, articulate, passionate and patient. I have always steered away from group tours but this experience has changed my way of thinking. Always informative and never condescending, I felt as if he only spoke on a personal level, not rehearsed or trite. I would most definitely recommend this. Thank you for a most interesting, enjoyable day out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancy_l
Jun 14, 2025
Very Interesting Tour - Murat was very knowledgeable and was always asking us if we needed more clarification or if we saw something that we wanted explained to us. Enjoyed all aspects of this tour. Plus he did his best to get us ahead of big lines into certain areas that were very crowded.
Review provided by Viator
Samar_b
Jun 13, 2025
Topkapi Palace comes to life - I loved this tour… would highly recommend it. Our guide Elif was excellent and great fun to found a few hours with. We travelled through history and met lots of intriguing characters as Elif made history live. Thank you so much Elif 😊
Review provided by Viator
Carol_b
Jun 13, 2025
Great tour of the palace and harem. - This was a terrific tour with a small group. We had plenty of time to see the different areas and harem. Emre was a great guide- his English is excellent and he is full of information about the palace and life within it. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Anu
Jul 11, 2025
Nice but not needed - If you are extremely the hand holding type.. this tour is fine.. otherwise walks of Europe are super expensive for what they offer and not really worth it. Most places were self guided where the guide gave us time to look inside. She also looked very less interested in giving us the tour. There are lots of sign boards inside and you can always get a museum pass and audio guide to get the best of the trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $55
up to 14 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).