Harem Museum Istanbul – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, FAQs

The Harem, where the sultans and their families lived, is the highlight of the Topkapi Palace, one of the world’s largest surviving palaces.

Located in Istanbul, it offers visitors a glimpse into the wealthy and secretive world of the Ottoman Empire’s royal quarters. 

This article covers everything you must know before booking the Harem Museum tickets.

What to expect at Harem Museum Istanbul 

Inside the Harem, you’ll discover a forbidden section where only the most privileged were allowed to enter—the sultans, their mothers, wives, children, concubines, and the Harem’s eunuch guards. 

This attraction consists of more than 300 rooms, nine baths, two mosques, a hospital, wards, laundry, etc., all adorned with beautiful Kütahya and Iznik tiles. 

Some iconic buildings within the Harem include the privy chambers of Murad III and Ahmed III—also known as the Fruit Room, and the twin kiosks/apartments of the Crown Prince.

Where to book tickets 

You can purchase tickets to the Harem Tour online in advance or offline. 

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than offline tickets.

When you buy tickets online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.

You also get your preferred time slot when you book early.

Because the Topkapi Palace Harem sells a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. 

Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Go to the Harem Museum Istanbul ticket booking page.

Select the number of tickets, preferred date, guide language, and time slot, and book your tickets immediately.

Once you purchase the Topkapi Harem Museum tickets, they get delivered to your email address. 

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

You can show your guide the e-ticket on your smartphone and join the group.

Harem Museum Istanbul ticket price

The Harem Tour tickets cost ₺3,477 for visitors aged seven years and above.

Children between three and six years pay a discounted price of ₺2,353.

Infants up to two years can get in for free. 

While booking this tour, you can also opt for a private one that costs ₺5,011 for all visitors.

The Harem Museum entry ticket with audio guide costs ₺1,827 for all, regardless of age.

Topkapi Palace & Harem and Blue Mosque tickets cost ₺1,643 for visitors above 18 years.

Youth between 13 and 17 years pay a discounted ticket price of ₺1,027.

Children between seven and 12 years pay ₺616 to enter the attraction.

Infants up to six years are allowed free admission.

Harem Museum Istanbul tickets

There are multiple ways to explore the Harem Museum. 

You can either book the guided tour, entry with audio guide, or a combination of Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace with Harem.

Topkapi Palace and Harem tour entry ticket

Most people visiting the Istanbul Harem Museum opt for this guided entry ticket. It gives visitors priority access, allowing them to skip the long queues at the attraction.

This ticket also comes with a licensed guide (English or German), who will lead you through the Palace and the Harem. 

You’ll spend 2 hours exploring the Topkapi Palace and 45 minutes at the Harem.

At the Topkapi Palace, you’ll see the imperial kitchens, treasury, and holy relics. 

You can enjoy views of the Golden Horn from the outer terraces of the Harem.

Transportation to the meeting point is not part of this ticket. 

Ticket Prices

Standard Tour

Adult Ticket (7+ years): ₺3,477
Child Ticket (3 to 6 years): ₺2,353
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free

Private Tour: ₺5,011

Harem Museum entry ticket and audio guide

Experience the best of Istanbul’s historical treasures with the Topkapi Palace, Harem Museum, and audio guide ticket. 

You’ll receive your entry ticket and access to a smartphone app audio guide upon meeting your host. 

Experience the world of the ancient Ottoman Empire as you wander through the majestic halls, lush gardens of the palace complex, and the Harem’s intimate quarters.

Gain insight into the lives of sultans and queens as you listen to captivating stories and historical anecdotes through your audio guide.

Bring your fully charged smartphone and headphones to use the Topkapi Palace audio guide app effectively. 

Ticket Cost: ₺1,827

Topkapi Palace, Harem, and Blue Mosque ticket

Take a journey through Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage with a guided walking tour of two of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace with Harem. 

See and appreciate the stunning interior of the Blue Mosque adorned with intricate blue tiles.

Learn about the mosque’s significance as a symbol of religious harmony and explore the fascinating changes it has witnessed over the centuries.

Next up is the Topkapi Palace, once the seat of Ottoman power for over 380 years. 

Among its priceless treasures is the legendary Topkapi Dagger and awe-inspiring 86-carat diamond.

We recommend you wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a headscarf for this tour.

Note: This ticket doesn’t give you access to the Topkapi Palace. However, you can buy tickets on-site and explore the Palace.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): ₺1,643 
Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): ₺1,027
Child Ticket (3 to 6 years): ₺616
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free

Save time and money! Explore Istanbul’s top attractions with ease and save money by booking a 2-, 3-, 5-, or 7-day E-Pass. Get access to over 40 popular attractions and guided tours, including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Bosphorus cruise.

How to reach Harem Museum Istanbul

Harem Museum is located in the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.

Address: Cankurtaran, Inside Harem Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey. Get Directions.

You can reach the attraction either by public or private transport.

By Bus

Bus stops Akbıyık (bus no: BN1) and Sultanahmet (bus no: 121CS) are within a 5-minute walking distance from the Museum.

The Istanbul Bus Station (bus no: ArdaTur) is a 10-minute walk from the attraction.

By Train

Sırkecı (Train: 81) train station is a 10-minute walk from the attraction.

By Car

If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started. 

There are ample parking garages around the attraction. 

Opening hours of Harem Museum Istanbul

The Harem Museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm, from Wednesday to Monday. It remains closed on Tuesdays.

The last admission is 30 minutes before closing hours.

How long does the tour take

The Topkapi Palace and Harem Tour takes approximately 3 hours as it covers all the masterpieces of this attraction. 

You can also book a morning tour and allocate the afternoon for exploring the Palace grounds independently.

Best time to visit Harem Museum Istanbul

The best time to visit Harem Museum Istanbul is as soon as it opens at 9 am. 

The attraction is also less crowded after 3 pm. Thus, late afternoons are also a good time to visit the same.

Weekends and Wednesdays attract relatively large crowds. So it is better to plan your visit during the weekdays.

The best months to visit the Harem are March to May and September to November. The weather is pleasant, there are fewer people, and hotels are relatively cheaper.

FAQs about Harem Museum Istanbul

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Istanbul Harem Museum.