Topkapı Palace was the residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror had it built between 1460 and 1478, and the complex grew with the empire: courtyards, pavilions, gardens, kitchens, and a harem of hundreds of rooms. State business, palace ceremonies, and family life all happened inside these walls, along with plenty of political intrigue. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited museums in Istanbul. Plan for several hours. The palace is laid out as a series of courtyards, and each covers a different side of imperial life, from the council chamber where decisions of state were made to the private quarters of the sultan's household.

This site is still part of daily city life, which is rare for a monument this old. Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans both built here, often on the same foundations. The layers are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Visitors interested in Byzantine and Ottoman architecture will want extra time here. Photographers usually come early, before the crowds arrive and while the light is low.

First-time visitors and solo travelers both manage easily here. The area is walkable, and staff at most sites are used to tourists.

Nearby bazaars sell Turkish crafts and souvenirs. Tea houses in the side streets are a good place to rest between sights.