This is the main Palace, where 25 sultans ruled the Ottoman Empire, spread over an area of 700 thousand square meters, in 1923, was turned into a Museum. The Palace consists of the exterior of the Palace is the official and public buildings – berun, and the inner Palace, private residence of the Sultan - enderun.

The front of the Imperial gate of Bab-I-Humayun was built in 1478 when Mehmed II. They lead into the First courtyard (the Courtyard of the Janissaries). Previously, there were for the guards, took asylum, worked as servants. Here stands the Church of St. Irene – one of the oldest churches of Istanbul. The temple many times burned, collapsed during the earthquake, was converted into a mosque and then to the Armory. In this courtyard are the Archaeological Museum, ancient Orient Museum and the Tiled pavilion is the oldest public building in the city.

Bab-e-Salaam leads into the Second courtyard. Right of the gate is a fountain of the Executioner, where the butchers wash their hands after executions. The second courtyard is the main courtyard of the Sultan's Palace, the so-called sofa and a harem. To the left rises the Divan tower. Here Sultan interacted with people, receiving visitors, consulted with the Grand vizier. Nearby is the entrance to the Harem is a labyrinth of small rooms, elegant living rooms, living quarters for the eunuchs. In this courtyard there are Internal Treasury – long room with 8 domes, which now showcases a collection of armor and weapons, and the former Sultan's kitchen, which now displays a collection of Chinese porcelain and silver tableware.

Bab-I-Saadet (the Gate of Happiness) leads to the Third courtyard private quarters of the Sultan. Here is the Throne hall, built during the reign of Sultan Selim I. Behind him is the building of the Library of Ahmed III. In the far left corner of the courtyard there is the Pavilion of the Holy mantle, which holds Islamic relics brought by Sultan Selim I in 1517 from Egypt and from Mecca: the teeth, the hair, the imprint of the foot and the mantle of the prophet Muhammad, as well as personal belongings of the first caliphs. In the far right corner of the courtyard there is a Treasury, which exhibited articles of gold and silver, precious stones, beads, boxes.

In the Fourth courtyard there are several parks, swimming pool, tiled pavilions, gazebos. It has a beautiful view on the Golden horn and the Bosphorus.