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Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Vişnezade, İstanbul

Description

Dolmabahçe Palace was the sultan's residence and the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire during most of the period between 1856 and 1922. With 285 rooms and 46 halls, it is the largest palace in the country. It was built under Abdülmecid I as a more modern alternative, in line with other European courts of the time, and the project was so expensive that it severely worsened the financial difficulties of the Empire. Designed by the Balyan architects (father & son), it mixes Baroque, Neoclassical and Rococo elements. The decoration is extremely lavish with heavy use of gold and crystal; the world's largest Bohemian chandelier is in the Ceremonial Hall. Highlights include several of the halls such as the Blue Hall and the Pink Hall, the harem and the various gates at the edge of the complex.

Access & Transport

The palace is located along the Bosphorus, on the European side, between the Kabataş and Beşıktaş ferry piers. The Kabataş tram station (T1) is 600m away.

Instructions & Recommendations

We suggest combining a visit there with nearby Yildiz Park or Taskim/İstiklal neighbourhood. We also recommend not visiting the other palaces such as Topkapi, Beylerbeyi or Küçüksu on the same day to avoid mixing memories...

Meta review

The Palace is on the must-see list of any guidebooks to Istanbul and is regularly featured in travel magazines. Online reviews confirm that it is indeed extremely impressive and taking the whole of two hours. However, visitors also regularly complain about the high entrance fees and the unfriendly service.

Environmental & Social

Marginally negative from an environmental standpoint due to the electricity requirements. Preserves the city's artistic, historical and architectural heritages

Conclusion

Dolmabahçe Palace is not only visually stunning, it is also the symbol of the late modernization of the Ottoman Empire in the mid-19th century and thus acts as a bookmark in the country's history. A stark contrast with the century old mosques, churches and Walls of Constantinople.

Key positive

Some impressive halls and decoration

Easy to get to from the city centre

Key negative

Quite repetitive after a while

Quite expensive

Suitability

It is unclear if the Palace is fully wheelchair accessible, we do not think it is the case.

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission is 1h before closing

av. transport time:0h 25m

est. visit time:2h 15m

Regulated hours

Monday -

Tuesday09:00 - 17:30

Wednesday09:00 - 17:30

Thursday09:00 - 17:30

Friday09:00 - 17:30

Saturday09:00 - 17:30

Sunday09:00 - 17:30

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
TRY 1,050
Adult
18 - 64
TRY 1,050
Child
8 - 17
TRY 1,050
Infant
0 - 7
TRY 0
Price for Selamlik + Harem + Painting Museum. No age threshold mentioned on websites

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