Topkapı Palace

The sprawling Topkapı Palace was used by Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, many of whom added on to the original architecture by building new sections. As a result, Topkapı Palace is the largest palace in all of Turkey and high up on the list of Istanbul’s “must visit” destinations.
Contrary to the name, Topkapı is much more than just a simple palace. Inside of the Imperial Gate there are multiple courtyards full of interesting exhibits. One of the first is the Imperial Mint, where Ottoman era coins were produced, and beyond that it is a massive collection on exhibit, it includes, Istanbul glassware; ornate copper kitchen utensils; Turkish carpets; porcelain artifacts from around the world; a weapons and armor display; and artwork gallery featuring many portraits of past Sultans. Yes, it is surprisingly easy to spend several hours exploring Topkapı Palace, so make sure to visit with someone enthusiastic about history and culture.

Here inside the palace, it is the treasures and holy relic collections that are at the pinnacle of all the palace exhibits. Located deep inside the third courtyard, it takes visitors a while to reach here. By afternoon the entrance queues can swell, so it is best to arrive in the morning.
Because there is so much to see, Topkapı Palace is the most expensive museum in Istanbul at 40 Turkish Lira (nearly $14 USD) per person, plus another 25 TL to enter the harem; children under 12 are free. However, if you have an Istanbul Museum Pass, entrance to both are free, and you can skip the ticket queue.

Expert Advice: There is no official guide service at Topkapı Palace and although they offer audio guides, I found it to be more boring than interesting. It did not reveal that deep history or intriguing facts which history buffs would expect. Many of the items I was most curious about were not even mentioned. Save your money. Or spend a little more and hire a reputable private guide before going.