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Preplanned City Guides and Travel Itineraries

Dolmabahçe Palace

On this page you find practical information, photos and videos about Dolmabahçe Palace.

Dolmabahçe Palace features in these preplanned City Guides:

3-day Istanbul City Guide5-day Istanbul City Guide

Why visit / Interesting facts:

  • One of the most glamorous palaces in the world
  • Houses the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier

Time required: 150 minutes

Phone: +90 212 236 9000

Web site: http://www.dolmabahce.go...

Opening hours:

Time period Opening hours
Tue, Wed, Fri - Sun: 9am - 4pm
Mon, Thurs: Closed

Admission:

Ticket type Charge
General : 20 TL

Public transport:

  • Tram Line T1: Kabatas stop

Address: Vişnezade Mh., 34357 Istanbul

Things you need to know:

  • Dolmabahce Palace, one of the world's most opulent palaces and the largest in Turkey, was the royal residence of the last 6 sultans of the Ottoman Empire
  • Abdül Mecid I built the palace in 1843-56. The former 13th century royal palace, Topkapi, lacked the up-to-date luxury
  • The design of the new building attests to increasing European influence. It mixes elements of modern European styles (Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism) with traditional Turkish architecture and lifestyle
  • It cost 5 million Ottoman golden coins (equaling 35 tonnes of gold) to erect the castle. 14 tonnes of gold was used for gilding the ceilings
  • The palace has an area of 45,000m2 (11.2 ac), 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets
  • One of the world's largest crystal chandelier, a gift of Queen Victoria of England, hangs in the central hall. It contains 750 lamps and weighs 4,5 tonnes
  • Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, turned the palace into a presidential residence in 1924
  • He died in the palace at 9:05 AM on 10th November 1938. As a matter of respect all clocks in the palace were stopped at this time

What to do there:

  • Decide which parts of the palace you want to visit. We recommend that you do not miss the Selamlık (administrative wings). This guided tour takes approximately 90 minutes
  • If you have the time you can also visit the Harem. This separate guided tour takes 45 minutes
  • Buy your entrance ticket(s) at the main entrance gate
  • Walk through the palace's well-maintained garden, with a small pool flanked by lion statues
  • Take a look at the magnificent ceremonial land gate
  • Follow your guide on the guided tour of the administrative wings
  • Take your time to enjoy the garden and the view of the Bosphorus

Tips & Insights:

  • All visits are guided and you can visit the palace only in groups (due to security reasons). Tours starts about every 15 minutes
  • It is strictly forbidden to take photos and videos inside the palace

Dolmabahçe Palace features in these preplanned City Guides: