Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Palaces

Topkapı Palace

Istanbul, Turkey

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST PALACES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 24 2026
Topkapı Palace

Former Ottoman palace on Seraglio Point above the water, a complex of pavilions and buildings around a series of courtyards with gardens, plane trees and terraces facing the sea. Inside are the Harem, the Holy Relics, the Treasury with jewels and swords, weapons, costumes and tableware.

Highlights

  • The Harem
  • Holy Relics section
  • Treasury and Spoonmaker's Diamond

Good to know

  • Buy tickets at the on-site office, not online
  • Harem costs extra; allow at least 3 hours
  • Long queues; arrive at 9:00 opening

Also in the Middle East

  1. Qasr Al Watan N° 13 Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Palace
  2. Dolmabahçe Palace N° 19 Dolmabahçe Palace Istanbul Palace
  3. Manial Palace N° 51 Manial Palace Cairo, Egypt Palace
  4. Abdeen Palace N° 57 Abdeen Palace Cairo, Egypt Palace
  5. Golestan Palace N° 60 Golestan Palace Tehran, Iran Palace