This was the most amazing rip off ever. I went there expecting a Versailles and it was a huge disappointment. The rooms with jewels or clothing had no airconditioning (they have them but don't bother to turn them on), they were dark. Imagine going into a room with hundreds of people, temperature at 100+F and humidity at 100% and it stinks. ...

Beeing there is a different experience. While you are inside the palace you immagine Sultan's life and the greatness of the Empire.It is one of the world's treasures

plenty to see !
also consider to take a guided tour
take your time to browse through
this is a colorful warm impression of ancient osman culture
dont miss to cross the bosporus on a locals ferry boat and see the medusa in the cisterns !

While many people head to Topkaipi, they often bypass the harem, which in my opinion is the craziest thing I ever heard! maybe they are turned off by the extra ticet price, but really, it is worth it. You can not get a feel for the old Ottomon Empire without seeing the harem. it is gorgeous and delicately-tiled and just beautiful in eery way. It is ...

I consider this Palace in the same position of History as Versailles. The place is huge. Frankly, I do not know where to start. My suggestion is for all who visit
Instanbul to take some time and walk through
the Topkapi Palace. The Palace represent just about 500 years of the History of the Ottoman Empire.

In Topkapi palace for me as a Muslim the most beautiful place is the sacred belongings of Prophet Muhammad and his friends that brought to Istanbul from Egypt beginning of the 15th century, really original sacred belongings that when I see them makes my whole body shiver, thanks from my heart to every body served for their protection until this day.

Topkapi Palace... make sure you get there BRIGHT AND EARLY to beat the massive crowds! Once in you can take your time. I wouldnt recommend paying for a tour guide as its all pretty self explanitory. It has an extensive collection of excelently preserved artifact including John the Baptist Arm and half of his skull.... Highly Recommended, just get there early!!

I have been there several times. because, I'm Turk and I live in istanbul. when I viseted Harem, I could image life of concubines that made me upset. Concubines were slave who servised to Sultan. therefore, thanks Atatürk for women liberation. I aso could image superiority of Sultan that ordinary people had no any rights. then, I turned myself and many thanks ATATÜRK!

when I visited "harem", Sultan's home, I felt terrible myself. because, there were many concubines who serviced Sultan and Sultan's mother. then, I returned myself and thanks for Atatürk. I'm so upset about concubines. God bless them.