Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour 2026
Small group up to 8 participants | Harem access | Reserve now & pay later
About Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour
Experience Istanbul’s rich history with our Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour! Our expert guide will first take you to the beautiful Blue Mosque, famous for its vibrant blue İznik tiles. Then, enter Topkapi Palace with skip-the-line tickets. Explore the long-standing seat of the Ottoman Empire, including the Harem.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, often called the Blue Mosque, is an Ottoman-era imperial mosque and one of the city’s most stunning mosques. You’ll easily notice why. Its interior is covered in thousands of beautiful blue İznik tiles!
Your guide will lead you through Topkapi Palace - the Sultan’s residence and the seat of the Ottoman Empire for over 380 years. Explore the grandiose halls and see the extravagant holy relics section, the armory, bathhouses, and more.
Explore the sprawling residence of the Sultan’s mother, wives, concubines, and children. With over 400 rooms, this huge complex is practically a small palace itself!
In high season, it can take 2-3 hours to enter the Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque. But don’t worry, with our tour, you’ll enter immediately!
Our Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour is organized in a small group of no more than 8 participants. This allows you to explore the sites peacefully, without the crowds.
You can reserve your spot now and pay later after you’ve finalized the dates. We also offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
RESERVE NOW & PAY LATER!
Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot without any upfront payment!
Beautiful architecture and lots of history
We saw plenty of attractions in Istanbul: the Grand Bazaar, the Basilica Cistern, and the Galata Tower.. but I have to say that this tour was number 1! The interior of the Blue Mosque was just breathtaking! Our guide, Erol, was very knowledgeable. There wasn’t a question he didn’t know how to answer. Very high-quality tour, highly recommended!
Enjoyed the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour so much
We love doing guided tours on vacation, and this was one of the best. The Blue Mosque was stunning, and I’m so glad we saw the Harem. It was interesting to see where Ottoman royalty lived. Everything was beautiful, especially the chambers of the sultan’s mother. The best part though - skip-the-line tickets! We visited in June and entered in 10 minutes!
DESCRIPTION
Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour
- Admission to the Blue Mosque
- Admission to the Topkapi Palace (if selected)
- Admission to the Topkapi Palace Harem (if selected)
- Skip-the-line tickets for the Topkapi Palace (if selected)
- Live tour guide
- Walking tour with a small group
- English
SEE ISTANBUL'S MOST IMPORTANT PLACE OF WORSHIP
Your small group tour begins with the Sultan Ahmed Mosque - or the Blue Mosque. It is named for its 20,000 blue İznik tiles which decorate the interior in countless floral motifs. As you explore, listen to your guide explain its history. Hear the legend behind the Blue Mosque’s six minarets surrounding the main dome and not the usual four.
WALK PAST THE HAGIA SOPHIA
During the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour, you’ll pass by the legendary Hagia Sophia, an ancient church turned into a modern-day mosque. It’s the perfect photo opportunity - the Hagia Sophia’s Byzantine architecture influenced religious architecture across the region. For example, the church Panagia Ekatontapiliani and the Şehzade Mosque were both inspired by the Hagia Sophia's iconic style.
EXPLORE THE SULTAN'S RESIDENCE: THE TOPKAPI PALACE
Enter Topkapi Palace: the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the Sultan’s home for over 380 years. Your guide will show you its most valuable treasures. These include:
- 13th-century Japanese porcelain
- the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond
- the priceless Topkapi Dagger (made from gold and encrusted with emeralds)
The Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour also includes access to the Harem. Your guide will show you the 400-room complex belonging to the Sultan’s many wives and concubines.
FREE CANCELLATION UP TO 24H IN ADVANCE!
Receive a complete refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the selected date!
Did you know that the sultan who commissioned the Blue Mosque barely visited it?
Sultan Ahmed I commissioned and constructed the Blue Mosque to prove his devotion to Islam. Indeed, the mosque was named after him. He began construction in 1609, but according to a document in the Topkapi Palace library, the mosque was completed in 1617. Unfortunately, Ahmed I died in 1617, just a few months after the mosque’s opening.
Book the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour and discover more interesting facts!
Good to know before you go
- Modest clothing is preferred when visiting the Blue Mosque. Shorts and skirts should be below the knee, and women should cover their heads and shoulders with a scarf or shawl.
- If your clothes are not suitable for the Blue Mosque, headscarves and overalls will be provided free of charge.
- This is a small group tour. There’s a maximum of 8 participants.
- Since this is a walking tour, it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes for the most enjoyable experience.
- It’s necessary for all visitors to have a photo ID – either a passport or national identity card.
- The Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour is filling up fast. Make sure you get your tickets in time!
Meeting Point
To begin your tour, head to the Foodie-ist Cafe and Brasserie. You’ll find your tour guide there, and you can easily recognize them by their tour guide badge. This meeting point is a 2-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.
ACT FAST & SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Easy & fast booking process!
FAQ - Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour
Is there a dress code on the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour?
Yes. Visitors are requested to dress modestly, e.g. please make sure your shorts and skirts are below the knee. Furthermore, women must cover their shoulders and head with a scarf or shawl.What happens if I wear the wrong attire at the Blue Mosque?
Don’t worry! If you forget to dress more modestly, overalls and headscarves are provided free of charge.Can I store my belongings at the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace?
At the Blue Mosque, you’ll find storage facilities for footwear and other small items. However, at the Topkapi Palace, there is no storage available.Which tours include access to the Harem section of Topkapi Palace?
Several of our tours include entry to the Harem. One of the top recommendations is the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour, which includes a guided visit to the Harem. You can also choose the Topkapi Palace Small Group Guided Tour or the dedicated Topkapi Harem Tour for a closer look at this fascinating part of the palace.Is photography permitted on the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Tour?
Photography is restricted in certain areas of Topkapi Palace, but permitted in most outdoor spaces. You can also take pictures at the Blue Mosque, everywhere except inside the prayer hall.What else should I book in Istanbul?
Book the Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace Tour to see more famous attractions in Istanbul! You can also choose the Topkapi Palace Private Tour to enjoy a personalized and flexible tour itinerary. A personal guide will have your full attention and answer all your questions. The Istanbul Pass gives you access to 70 attractions.Don't wait! Book now!
- Skip-the-line access
- Small group
- Reserve now & pay later
- Free cancellation