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    Dolmabahçe Sarayı

    4.6 (64 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Dolmabahçe Sarayı Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Dolmabahçe Sarayı

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    Exterior -- Waterfront Palace
    Norbert K.

    We visited Dolmabahçe Palace on our last full day in Istanbul.  Sitting on the European shore of the Bosporus, the grounds are beautiful, and the interiors are opulent.   This is a narrated self-paced guided tour.  Shoe covers are required.  It was amazing to see how the late 19th and early 20th century Ottoman sultans and their families lived, entertained and ruled the Ottoman Empire.  We paid an entrance fee of 650 Turkish Lira (TL) each by credit card (about US$27).  The combined ticket covered the Main Building, the Harem Rooms and various Palace Collections.

    John H.

    I am not one for highly embellished decor, but I saved this visit for a rainy day and was pleasantly surprised. Even though the ticket is hefty for the region (roughly 25 US) it has a lot to offer. Over two hundred rooms and a painting museum. It stands out in the area because of its size, proximity to the Bosp. Sea, and its Western European Rococo Baroque inspired design. Larger than I expected. I wasn't planning to but I spent over three hours, and I wasn't lingering over any particular room or exhibit. Logistics: Go in the morning because the lines in the afternoon was fifty times longer. Only four ticket booths with VERY slow service. Consider online sales. I was thirteenth in line and it took over 20 minuter to purchase a ticket. Free audio with ticket BUT it is in the office BEFORE you enter the turnstyle. Bring ID as deposit. Wear comfortable flats as you must put on plastic booties indoors. NO indoor pictures allowed. There is a tram stop at Kabatas five minutes away.

    Beautiful Dolmabahçe Palace
    Helene S.

    Dolmabahçe Palace was built towards the end of the Ottoman empire in the mid 1800s. Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned the construction to replace the medieval Topkapi Palace for his family after seeing the more modern, luxurious and comfortable palaces of his contemporary European monarchs. No expense was spared in this new palace which boasts 285 rooms, 131 handmade Hereke silk carpets, running water for the 68 water-closets imported from Great Britain and 6 Turkish baths, gas lighting and a 750 bulb, 4.5 ton crystal chandelier, the largest in the world. A stunning fourteen tons of gold were used to decorate the ceilings. The construction cost was five million Ottoman gold lira, or approximately $1.5 billion in today's dollars. Unfortunately, it was built as the Ottoman fortunes were declining. This put additional strain on the financial well being of the declining Ottoman Empire. Today, it is an amazing palace to visit. The architecture combines elements of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical European design with Ottoman elements. It is the largest palace in Turkey. It has the traditional elements of the men's quarters (Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn, or Selamlık) in one wing and the private family quarters (Harem-i Hümâyûn, the Harem) in a different wing separated by a ceremonial hall. It was interesting to visit Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace back to back to contrast the beginnings and end of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi is more spread out and decorated extensively with Iznik tiles and classical Ottoman carvings. Dolmabahçe Palace could be called the "Crystal Palace" as it has the largest collection of Baccarat and Bohemian crystal chandeliers in the world. It even has a double horseshoe staircase with Baccarat crystal balusters in the staircase. Unlike many European palaces, this palace could be accessed by land or sea. After the establishment of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk used the palace as a presidential residence in the summers. He died in the palace on November 10, 1938. The clock in the bedroom where he died is still set to 9:05, his time of death. This was an amazing place to visit. The palace, gardens and even collection of china and paintings were so beautiful. Most of the original furniture is also on display. We took a private tour with Ensar from Istanbulday to really maximize our understanding, but there are group tours available in several language.

    Tyler L.

    This palace was home to six sultans in the late 1800s and then was the summer home of the first President of the Republic of Turkey. After that, it became a museum. The palace grounds themselves are huge, and they let groups inside at timed intervals. I recommend getting one of the audio guides (which come in several languages). As you go from room to room, there are numbers on the various displays that indicate what number to press on the audio guide for the history. The place is quite luxurious with lots of gold, crystal, and expensive stones. You will also find a large number of paintings. Though Dolmabahce is much newer and smaller than Topkapi Palace, it is interesting in its own right.

    03/16/23
    Michael U.

    As the most expensive tourist attraction in Istanbul it should be known that interior photos are prohibited at Dolmabahçe Sarayı, which acted as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th and early 20th century. Constructed on the banks of the Bosphorus in Baroque/Rococo this is a worthy stop for architecture fans and entails 285 rooms with a self-guided tour provided by headset.

    The waiting is real.
    Torterry C.

    I was quite looking forward to visit this palace, unfortunately, my experience here wasn't that great. Firstly, the official website of this place isn't really clear about it if this included in the Museum Pass, but I can tell you by experience, the Museum Pass (for foreign visitors) doesn't cover the admission here. Only the Museum Card/Pass (for the local residences) does. Since I was here, I decided to go in to have a look. There were a lot people around noon. After nearly 2 hours waiting on the queue under the sun, I finally got the ticket and visit. It was really chaotic, how things were running here. Especially, they didn't let visitors purchase thicket online. The ticket cost 300 Lira, when I was vsiiting. The price is different for local and foreign visitors. This was the most expensive museum I visited so far in Istanbul. But I thought, it's okay, I can see the beautiful gate towards Bosporus. Nope, the whole path was under renovation. They could have let visitors know before going there, but nope. The rest of palace was still open for visiting. But no photos are allowed inside the building. If you saw someone post that here. They did that on their on risk. The staff here are very strict about it. Not a fun experience. The palace itself is gorgeous. Many things to see and great place to learn more about history. The museum also offers free audio guide to help visitors understand everything better. If you plan to visit, try to get here as earlier as possible. Don't take any gimbal with you and prepare some cash just in case. Personally, I think, if you had visit other palaces in Europe before. This place is pretty similar. Not a must-to-see. Especially with such long waiting time. If you stay close by this area or have extra time in your trip, why not.

    Russ L.

    Istanbul's first European style palace, opulent, and excessive in size filled lavishly and decorated with gold and crystal. It is a mixture of Baroque, Rococo, Neo Classic and traditional Ottoman art and culture. It has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. I just wish that photography is allowed inside so visitors can capture its jawdropping beauty. Its a must see if you are in Istanbul.

    Carla L.

    I would recommend at least two hours to see all the rooms and exhibits. It's a very beautiful property, with influences from France and Europe! I was quite impressed the grand room, the social ballroom where the sultan welcomed dignitaries.

    Sheri C.

    This was the second place that was a must-see for me. Seeing the gates of the palace that go right to the water when open were mesmerizing to me, and they proved to be just as majestic in person as in the pictures. The palace grounds are huge, so I would definitely recommend getting the ticket for the whole tour. You can get audio guides for the main palace, and give yourself a couple of hours to peruse the different buildings. The history is intriguing and the decor is ornate. beautiful and magnificent. It is located right at the bottom of the hill where the football stadium is in Besiktas. There was a long line when we went, but it went quite quickly. You can do a fast pass, but we opted to go at our own pace, as we didn't want to be rushed. After the main palace, we went to the restaurant on the palace grounds for a bite to eat and some coffee and tea (of course). The restaurant on location is good, and the view is also beautiful! Enjoy!!!

    The entrance marble gate
    Jay Y.

    One day in the 1800s, Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid must had heard about the extravagant royal residences of his European contemporaries, because he looked at his crib in Topkapi Palace and said (ad verbatim probably but in Turkish of course), "Naw man I ain't living in this antique crap no more. I'm gonna build a new crib so dope that 'em Euro haters ain't got none on me!" Our competitive sultan then got his architect homies and drop loads of dough to build a lit crib. Thus was origin of perhaps Istanbul's most extravagant building - Dolmabahce Palace. Indeed, no expense was spared in the construction of Dolmabahce, the final residence of the Ottoman sultanate. Incredible amount of beautiful marble were used to construct the magnificent facades of the palace gates and buildings, as countless gold and crystal covered the entirety of the palace interior. At first glance, you may quickly dismiss Dolmabahce as an over-the-top European copycat, but examine more closely and you will find the palace to architecturally unique. While the fundamental style of Dolmabahce is undoubtedly European, you can still find Ottoman influence in this architectural remix. The most obvious instance is due to the Islamic ban on depiction of people, so instead of the cherubs and goddesses that adorned European palaces, Dolmabahce is full of floral and various geometrical patterns. In other words, the decor of Dolmabahce is similar to the impressive patterns on the tiles in the Blue Mosque, but the patterns are realized through gold and marble. Iznik tiles are so 15th-century. The oriental-style furniture within certainly make the remix even more interesting. What does all of this mean for plebs like us? We can witness this fine example of regal extravagance from the twilight years of the Ottoman sultanate! You will see from the brag-worthy public rooms of the Selamlik to the shadowy rooms of the Harem that Dolmabahce could easily parallel with even the famous European palaces like Versailles. While the admission is unfortunately not included in the Musekart, Dolmabahce should nonetheless be a must-go destination on all Istanbul itinerary. For the best experience, go during a sunny weather so that the sun reflects off the white marble throughout the palace to best witness the palace splendor, and go after you visited Topkapi Palace (preferably on a different day because two palaces may be too much for our peasant minds) so that you can compare the architectural evolution of sultanate palaces. No photography is allowed inside the buildings, but I don't think any photo you could take or see will do justice of how grand the interior of Dolmabahce is. This is something that you must witness in person! --- LOGISTICS: - Nearest tram stop: Kabatas (5 minute walk) - Audio guide included with admission (ID or 200 TL deposit required) - Selimalik and Harem admissions are separate - Daily quota of 3000 people (as of Nov '17) so morning visit is highly recommended

    kitties everywhere
    I-Lin L.

    This is a lovely European style palace. It was drizzling when we went, so they made us wear little footies over our shoes so the carpets wouldn't get dirty. No photos allowed inside, and we could only enter at set times with a guided tour. The groups were way too huge, and guides had heavily accented English, so it was kind of hard to hear what was going on. I noticed that the English sign had entry fees at twice the cost of the Turkish signs. For instance, we paid 40 TL each for the palace and harem, but it was only 20 TL for the Turkish tour. Craziness. Beware of the restaurant right outside the palace. Hustlers getting you seated, no menus in sight, and crappy, cold food. :(

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful palace with an amazing architecture. Just by the sea. Do not hesitate to visit!

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    8 years ago

    Wonderful must see palace. Ticket line can be long so keep that in mind. Definately worth it.

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    Great palace! But very expensive. It is better to come at morning.

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    Dolmabahçe Sarayı Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Dolmabahçe Sarayı

    These rooms are a little simpler than rest pf the palace that was used for receiving and entertaining guests.

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    Ayasofya Müzesi

    Ayasofya Müzesi

    4.6(240 reviews)
    3.7 kmCankurtaran Mh., Sarayburnu, Cankurtaran

    Absolutely stunning! Hagia Sofia, I was not familiar with your game. It was so interesting to see…read morehow much Christian influence and history is here, which I had no idea about. Our ticketing and entrance process was smooth, though busy - expect lines if you don't go right away in the morning or near closing. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders, chest and knees - and a scarf for covering your head for ladies. They do have some there if you need one. The space is huge! Down on the main floor is just for practicing Muslims to pray, so the space accessible to guests in the higher area. They did have a few spots where you can get audio info, but it was pretty limited info and more of a description of what you're seeing. The ticket covered admission to the museum (not attached, another building) that was VERY helpful and informative! We did that second but wished we'd done it first. Such a stunning space with a ton of history. An absolute must in Istanbul!

    Ok, the story is a bit surprising since it was a catholic church during the Roman Empire and now…read moreconverted into a mosque and museum. I was a bit put out off from the high ticket price of $25 per person to go inside. Yes, we paid our fee and did a prearranged guided tour but did not feel like it was not a fair deal. The inside had scaffolding due to the interior renovation that is in the works. I've been to churches all over the world and only the Vatican is worth that kind of ticket price, In my opinion. There are a few remaining frescoes that you can see be seen but overall it was underrated and more of a cash grab to fund reconstruction.

    Photos
    Ayasofya Müzesi
    Ayasofya Müzesi - 03/13/23

    03/13/23

    Ayasofya Müzesi

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    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi - Very slow line

    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi

    4.4(37 reviews)
    3.3 kmSarayburnu, Cankurtaran Mh.

    This museum is located behind Topkapi Palace so if you are going there, you might as well come…read morehere. It wasn't nearly as crowded as the other museums and features artifacts from nearly all periods and civilizations in history. The history of coinage, archaeological artifacts, and Greek statutes, this museum is a must see. I would suggest going early in the morning to beat any crowds.

    I would also consider this a must-see in Istanbul, it's quite a collection of artifacts across the…read morelong history of what is now Turkiye and what was the Ottoman Empire. The descriptions are in Turkish and English, you really don't need a guide, so ignore them around the entrance. I can tell from the YELP reviews over time and from the new appearance of many of the rooms that there's been quite a bit of improvement over time. This started out as a sarcophagi museum but expanded, the collection still seems to be expanding. It was nice to visit here after having seen Ephesus, Bergama, and Sagalassos; and I would very much like to return to Turkey to visit some of the many other Greek and Roman sites. There are two other must-see museums in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. Topkapi is much more expensive than the other two, we only realized too late to get the museum pass that will really save you money if you're going to visit these and other museums. Allow at least 3-4 hours here, and bring some cat treats to make friends with the felines in front.

    Photos
    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi - @endoedibles on Instagram 03/18/23

    @endoedibles on Instagram 03/18/23

    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi
    İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi

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    Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi

    Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi

    4.2(5 reviews)
    4.1 kmSultan Ahmet Mh., Cankurtaran

    Incredible museum…read more This small museum near the Arasta Bazaar is dedicated solely to the recovered mosaics from the Byzantine period, unearthed at the site of the Great Palace of Constantinople. In 1935 during excavations at the Arasta Bazaar in Sultan Ahmet Square, it was discovered that this area was once part of the south-western Great Palace. The excavations discovered a large courtyard, with a surface of 1872 m², entirely decorated with mosaics. The museum is two levels. Downstairs are very large portions of the floor. Amazingly very intact. From the upper deck you can view down to the lower level, as well as see smaller portions of mosaics on the wall. It takes about a half hour. The notes are well documented in English for travelers. Amazing beauty. Incredible find.

    Today, the Great Palace of Constantinople exists in only two places: our imagination based on…read morehistorical anecdotes and the Great Palace Mosaic Museum. Thanks to the extensive archaeological effort, we can witness a small fraction of the remarkable mosaics from the now-vanished royal Byzantine palace in this museum! More than a millennia ago, the site where Blue Mosque now sits and the area between the Mosque and the sea were dominated by the Great Palace of Constantinople, a royal palace that was said to house splendor that was worthy as the centerpiece of a great empire. Sadly, the Great Palace fell in disrepair as the empire was crumbling and the capital was invaded. Eventually, the former Palace vanished altogether as the new Ottoman rulers of Constantinople favored new palaces. The Mosaic Museum offers a small glimpse of what the Great Palace might have been. Here, you will find many impressive mosaics of various motifs from hunting to urban life that once adorned the Palace grounds. From afar, you would not think that they are mosaics but instead single paintings until you step closer and realize that these colorful works are composed of countless small tiles! As you walk through this museum, you can imagine how these mosaics appeared throughout the walkways and walls of the Palace. How splendid the Palace must have been! The many multilingual explanation blurbs throughout the museum will definitely guide your imagination and explain the archaeological process to recover these wonders. Located in the Arasta Bazaar by the popular Blue Mosque, the oft-ignored Mosaic Museum deserves a look especially if you are interested in Byzantine or mosaic art history or have a Muzekart! This museum is a truly educational experience that extends even beyond its exit as you can take what you saw and learned from here and compare the evolution of mosaic art in Ayasoyfa and Kariye Muzesi in Istanbul and even mosaic in elsewhere around the world.

    Photos
    Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi - So many tiny pieces use to create this massive work

    So many tiny pieces use to create this massive work

    Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi
    Büyük Saray Mozaikleri Müzesi

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    Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi

    Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi

    4.7(7 reviews)
    4.2 kmBinbirdirek Mh., Binbirdirek, Cankurtaran

    Excellent museum, we had saved this museum for a day when the weather was too inclement for a lot…read moreof outdoor sightseeing and since this was winter, pretty much all days weren't ideal and this became a place we visited on the last full day. I'm glad we had a couple of hours because there's a lot to see here. It's a very well arranged museum, so we were able to learn the artistic differences between periods like we were in a very good archaeology class. The textiles, ceramics, and calligraphy (Qurans) were all the more fascinating when arranged by region and epoch. Very good captions and descriptions. In a former palace, the building itself is wonderful, and of course we got to meet some more nice Muslim cats. Yes, it's posted "no pictures," but the guards are concerned with old school film flash photography which would degrade some of the more delicate artifacts, and they are also watching for people touching items unprotected by glass. Just be respectful and don't lick anything. I think that is good advice for life.

    This is a nice museum located in the heart of Istanbul inside the palace of Ibrahim Oasha. It's not…read morebig by any means - plan 1.5 hrs max if you read every label. It costs 17 EUR, but you can get a museum pass for a few days which includes this location (total bang for your buck). Wasn't crowded at all (prob because it's March). I was expecting to see more art variety, but this museum should be treated more like an opportunity to learn about the history of Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and all the caliphates of the past. The museum has a rich collection of centuries (or even millenia) old Qurans, rugs, and ceramics that are well preserved. There's also a bit on the history of coffee and coffee shops as well as fashion. Everything was organized in the chronological order and there were plaques in every room explaining the history of the region. The calligraphy pieces were stunning as were Islamic relics such as the beard of the Prophet. Definitely worth a visit if you have a pass and are in the area!

    Photos
    Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi
    Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi - Once you enter you have to walk back out into the beautiful courtyard to see exhibits

    Once you enter you have to walk back out into the beautiful courtyard to see exhibits

    Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi

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    Aya İrini Müzesi

    Aya İrini Müzesi

    4.6(9 reviews)
    3.6 kmCankurtaran Mh., Sarayburnu

    She's in the backyard of Topkapi Palace like an ancient, stone-faced roommate who's been around…read moresince the 4th century and just won't move out, Hagia Irene (a.k.a. Saint Irene) is Istanbul's original holy hotspot, older than Hagia Sophia. Constructed during Constantine the Great's reign, this church was built on the ashes of a pagan temple. Because what says "progress" more than plopping a new religion's temple right on top of the old one like an architectural mic drop? Unlike her famous sister Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene never went through that phase where she became a mosque. She stayed a church until the Ottomans showed up and were like, Cool building, but it would make a better weapons depot. And so, for centuries, Irene stored cannons, swords, and all sorts of medieval mayhem. The church has exactly one surviving fresco. A black cross up in the apse that survived the Iconoclasm, aka the 8th-century version of a social media purge, where religious images were canceled harder than a problematic YouTuber. If you visit Topkapi Palace, pay this spot a visit. She's been through a lot.

    Although the glamorous Ayasoyfa is its sister church, the dilapidated Aya Irini is a huge contrast…read more This former Byzantine church is perhaps a tragic reminder that resembles more like a ruin than a museum of an once-glorious monument. Built as the earliest church in Constantinople by Constantine himself, Aya Irini (Hagia Irene - "Holy Peace") paralleled to the now-famous Ayasoyfa in religious importance in the Byzantine capital. However, since the Ottoman conquest, the location of Aya Irini within the new palace complex limit became a curse, as the church was degraded as the armory of the palace guards. Today, Aya Irini is nothing but a shell of its former glory, although it is occasionally used as a concert venue. One cannot help but feel sadness when stepping into Aya Irini especially after being dazzled by the glory of Ayasoyfa. How different are the fates of these two sister churches! Aside from the bare structure itself, virtually nothing of its Byzantine decor remained - except for a simple mosaic of a cross outline, which survived either because it did not violate the Islamic ban on depictions of man or was simply too dull for the Ottoman to even bother. To add insult to this sadness, the whole structure is now overshadowed by a massive net, presumably to catch feces from pigeons - the only creatures who could find joy in this depressing ruin. The historic value of Aya Irini is certainly undeniable, but unless you are interested in this area of history or have a Muzekart which includes the admission, I would not recommend visiting here, because I do not believe that you would be enthralled to pay the 20 TL admission only to see a sad space.

    Photos
    Aya İrini Müzesi
    Aya İrini Müzesi
    Aya İrini Müzesi - Aya Irini Müzesi

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    Aya Irini Müzesi

    Dolmabahçe Sarayı - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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