Let me share the details of my fascinating visit to the Topkapi Palace and its Harem during my Istanbul layover in Turkey.
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Visiting Topkapi Palace Harem in Istanbul
About Topkapi Palace
The highlight of my recent layover in Istanbul was a visit to the Topkapi Palace, where I learned fascinating facts about the Harem and gained new historical insights into the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul’s most popular attractions, rivaling the famous Hagia Sophia in terms of visitor numbers. Any history enthusiast wouldn’t want to miss this iconic palace, which served as the main residence of Ottoman sultans until 1856, when the court moved to Dolmabahçe Palace.
Topkapi Palace houses an impressive collection of Ottoman relics, including weapons, porcelain, portraits, caftans, and other treasures that once belonged to the Ottoman dynasty. Some of the jewelry pieces were so unique that I wish I could have shared them here – unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the exhibition halls (at least, that was the rule during my visit).
The palace is arranged around four grand courtyards, each offering a unique glimpse into Ottoman life. The first courtyard, known as the Imperial Gate, leads to various smaller buildings, including the Hagia Irene Church. Moving deeper into the palace, you’ll find the Second Courtyard, which housed the administrative center, and the Third Courtyard, home to the Sultan’s private apartments and the Imperial Treasury – where the famous Topkapi Dagger (an emerald-studded curved dagger created in 1746 by Ottoman craftsmen as a gift for the Shah of Persia) and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond (an impressive 86-carat, pear-shaped gemstone) are displayed.
One of the most famous and intriguing parts of the palace is the Harem, where the sultan’s family, wives, and concubines lived in seclusion.







Exploring the Harem of Topkapi
According to the Topkapi Museum website, the literal meaning of the word “harem” in Arabic is “a sacred place that not everyone is allowed to enter.” In Muslim societies, it refers to intimate family life. In Ottoman tradition, “Harem” had two meanings: first, the “Sultan’s harem,” which meant his family, and second, the physical space where the female members of his family lived.
Contrary to Western misconceptions of the word “harem,” it was a highly organized and hierarchical mini-city with over 400 rooms within the Topkapi Palace. The most influential figure in the Harem was the sultan’s mother, the Valide Sultan. No men, except the sultan and the eunuchs, were allowed to enter the Harem.
Life in the Harem was harsh for the concubines, who were never allowed to leave and lived in conditions resembling imprisonment. A concubine’s only way out of this life was to gain the sultan’s favor and become the mother of one of his sons (a ÅŸehzade), which would elevate her status in the Harem’s hierarchy, though still below the Valide Sultan. Only if a concubine’s son eventually became the sultan could she rise to become one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire.
Women in the Ottoman Empire
The most famous success story in Harem history is that of Hurrem Sultan. Born around 1502 in Ukraine, she was captured by Crimean Tatars and sold into slavery in the Topkapi Palace Harem. Hurrem caught the attention of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, one of the most powerful rulers of the Ottoman Empire. Breaking with tradition, she became Suleiman’s legal wife, whereas sultans’ concubines usually remained in the background for the rest of their lives.
Despite not being considered the most beautiful woman in the Harem (a common assumption based on her portraits), historians believe Hurrem was very intelligent and charming, which helped her become not only the sultan’s wife but also his closest advisor – an unprecedented role for a woman in the Ottoman court. One of her sons, Selim II, succeeded Suleiman on the throne, but Hurrem passed away before she could become Valide Sultan (the highest title held by the mother of a ruling sultan of the Ottoman Empire).
Unfortunately, despite a few women (like Hurrem Sultan, Kösem Sultan, and Turhan Sultan), who rose to high positions within the Ottoman hierarchy, history often forgets the names and tragic stories of most concubines, who remained slaves to the whims of the sultan, his mother, and the eunuchs.
Hurrem Sultan’s story was also the basis for the popular Turkish TV series The Magnificent Century. For those interested in learning more, The Imperial Harem: Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire by Leslie P. Peirce offers in-depth analysis, while The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak, set in Istanbul during Sultan Suleiman’s reign, combines historical context with engaging fiction. Another great read on the Ottoman Empire is Lords of the Horizons by Jason Goodwin.

In Empress of the East, historian Leslie Peirce tells the remarkable story of a Christian slave girl, Roxelana, who was abducted by slave traders from her Ruthenian homeland and brought to the harem of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul.

In this novel, Turkey’s preeminent female writer spins an epic tale spanning nearly a century in the life of the Ottoman Empire. In 1540, twelve-year-old Jahan arrives in Istanbul.

Since the Turks first shattered the glory of the French crusaders in 1396, the Ottoman Empire has exerted a long, strong pull on Western minds. For six hundred years, the Empire swelled and declined. Islamic, martial, civilized, and tolerant, in three centuries it advanced from the dusty foothills of Anatolia to rule on the Danube and the Nile; at the Empire’s height, Indian rajahs and the kings of France beseeched its aid.




Is it worth visiting Topkapi Palace?
Topkapi Palace is definitely worth visiting. If I had to choose only one place to see in Istanbul, it would be Topkapi Palace, as it is one of the world’s largest palaces, filled with stunning decorations and historical artifacts. I used an audio guide during my visit, which was very helpful in providing new and interesting historical insights.
I also visited during the last two hours before closing, which was a great option to enjoy the landmark with fewer people around (although it was still quite busy). On the other hand, visiting Topkapi Palace with a guide in a small group is one of the most popular options if you’d like to have someone around to answer questions about Ottoman history.
- Istanbul Topkapi Palace and Harem Small-Group Guided Tour (check availability)
- Best of Istanbul Private Guided Tour (check availability)
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This post is linked up with The Weekly Postcard and Feet Do Travel
These photos are gorgeous!
Chloe x
Thank you, Chloe!
Your photos are stunning! Hope that you had an amazing trip!
Thank you, Freja! The trip was great!
I’ve been to Istanbul, but unfortunately only for a day (such a shame) and I didn’t make it here! It looks absolutely incredible, I can’t believe I missed it! Thanks for all of the great information, I’ll be sure to go on my next visit.
Thanks Jessica! Istanbul has so many great places to see – you´d need a week to explore all the sites and areas đŸ˜‰ I always feel like I had not enough time myself there!
ahhh this looks gorgeous! i feel like more and more places are on my radar, and i’m just daydreaming about alllll of them now (:
Same here! lol
Omg the photos are beautiful, I want to visit!
Thank you, Katherine!
I have never been to Turkey but Istanbul is on the top of my bucket list, Anna! The Topkapi Palace is simply breathtaking. How long does it take to explore this palace?
It took me 1.5, but I was on the rush to visit more places that day! The exposition halls with all the porcelain, weapons, dresses were really crowded! I even didn’t stop to see some pieces, cause there was a huge line of people!
Wow! What an incredible place! Gorgeous photos!
Thank you, Jessica!
Scamming taxi drivers are a plague now, really. I live at the other end of Europe from Turkey and I still get scammed from time to time. I don’t like uber either, I tend to use more of public transport – seems safer to me, especially in cities I don’t know well.
All the places you’ve taken pictures of (especially the imperial hall – omg, amazing!) look stunning. Ive never been to Turkey but I have to go soon, especially that I have a friend from over there who always says it’s one of the most amazing places in the world.
Dorota
Thank you so much, Dorota! Yes, unfortunately, scamming is really popular in between the taxi drivers nowadays!
Istanbul is amazing, especially If someone could show it to you!
The palace is absolutely stunning. Turkey is at the top of my bucket list and it seems like every time I see somebody’s gorgeous photos of the country it makes me want to go even more!
It really is a wonderful country – I do want to explore more of it myself đŸ˜‰
I loved visiting Topkapi Palace, but it’s indeed a place that is always so crowded. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks, And a! Always crowded, indeed!
Beautiful, so you took these photos on your phone? I visited Topkapi Palace but it was a long time ago. I am going to have to look into all those lesser known places in Turkey that you mention, I hadn’t heard of any of them. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Thanks for stopping by, Anisa! Yes – took everything with my phone, but did some editing after! I’m so obsessed with seeing those lesser known places in Turkey!
We visited Istanbul a couple of years ago and this palace is a gem. The harem is the best place to take photos… I also really enjoyed the jewel room, they even had samurai swords! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Yes, the jewel room really is SOMETHING!
Your photos are amazing! We’re looking at going to Istanbul soon so will definitely have to give this a visit.
Thanks, Michael!
The interior is especially beautiful. The throne room is so elegant!
Thanks, Sharon! The throne room is stunning!
Ohh I would love to visit Istanbul once. I’m planning to do it for so long time that’s crazy, always something comes up. The Topkapi Palace looks amazing, no wonder why so many tourists visit it.
I can relate to this lol – so many trips I’ve been planning for a while and then something would eventually come up!
Oh yes, I definitely need to see this! I really fell in love with that Ottoman style architecture while visiting Bulgaria. Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
I love the Ottoman ornaments myself, haven’t been to Bulgaria yet – would love to see the Ottoman heritage there as well!
My husband has been to Istanbul and has been raving about it for ages. Topkapi palace looks gorgeous! As an artist, I can stop staring at the details and the elaborate patterns. Gotta go soon!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m in love with all the details myself!
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Topkapi Palace. The ornately detailed interiors and Ottoman design are beautiful.
They really are! Really enjoyed my visit as well!
I haven’t been to Topkapi Palace but it does look lovely. You must be pleased you found this treasure, pinned for the future, thanks for sharing. #feetdotravel
Thanks, Angie! It was such a great place to visit indeed!
Looking through your photos of Topkapi brought back great memories of my time in Turkey years ago. Sites like this in Istanbul wowed me with their rich history and splendor. Your photos really do it justice! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks David! Istanbul and Ottoman history also have impressed me so much when I visited!
I loved visiting Topkapi Palace. The Ottoman architecture, opulent interiors and the history are all fascinating. This brought back great memories.
The Ottoman architecture & history are so impressive!
Topkapi Palace looks stunning! We also had a layover in Istanbul but unfortunately it was an afternoon one so we didn’t get a chance to explore as much as we would have liked and many of the top sights were closed. Great photos and I really need to make it out to Istanbul and explore it properly next time.
It also happened to me many times – I’ve only had one proper layover from all the times I was flying vis Istanbul!