Night tours at Topkapı Palace, one of the most popular summer cultural events in Istanbul, will return this year with an expanded visitor route that includes newly opened sections of the historic complex.
According to the National Palaces Administration, the evening tours will run every Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. until Sept. 13. The 2026 program broadens access to additional areas, offering a more comprehensive experience of the palace.
Expanded night tour experience
First launched in 2024, the night tours quickly gained strong public interest. This year’s program extends the route to include architecture, courtyards, collections and panoramic views of Istanbul.
The itinerary covers the palace courtyards, the Imperial Harem (Harem-i Hümayun), the Chamber of Sacred Relics, the Imperial Treasury and the terraces overlooking the city. Newly added sections include the Dormitory of the Black Eunuchs (Karaağalar Koğuşu), the Courtyard of the Sultan’s Consorts and Concubines (Kadınefendiler ve Cariyeler Taşlığı) and the Mabeyn Road Tile Art Gallery (Mabeyn Yolu Çini Sanat Galerisi).
