Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, is a lavish symbol of the Ottoman Empire's late period. Built between 1843 and 1856, it replaced the Topkapi Palace as the main imperial residence. The palace combines Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles, with a touch of traditional Ottoman architecture. Visitors are awed by the immense crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf ceilings, and the world's largest crystal chandelier (4.5 tons) in the Ceremonial Hall. The palace complex includes the harem, reception halls, and a clock tower. The gardens offer stunning views of the Bosphorus. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his last days here and died in the palace on November 10, 1938. The palace is a museum today, showcasing the opulence of the Ottoman court and early Turkish republican history.

Don't miss

• The Ceremonial Hall with the world's largest crystal chandelier
• The Harem section with ornate rooms and baths
• Atatürk's bedroom and the clock stopped at the time of his death (9:05 AM)
• The Crystal Staircase with Baccarat crystal balusters
• The Bosphorus views from the palace gardens

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Dolmabahçe Palace

Cheapest way inTopkapi Palace tour with Harem,guide is included,ticket is extra4.8★ · 39 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →Best full dayBest of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour5★ · 9,749 travelers7–21 hoursFree cancellationFrom$90 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleBosphorus Cruise with Dolmabahce Palace and Istiklal Street Tour5★ · 41 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$250 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• Guided tours are mandatory and included in the ticket; you must follow a tour guide.
• Photography is prohibited inside the palace; allowed in gardens.
• You must wear shoe covers provided at the entrance.
• The palace is closed on Mondays and on religious holidays (check official site).

A bit of history

Commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid I to modernize the Ottoman court. Construction cost the equivalent of 5 million gold liras. After the fall of the empire, it was used by Atatürk and later opened as a museum in 1984.