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Quick Information

ADDRESS

#Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

RECOMMENDED DURATION

3 hours

Timings

09:00–17:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

15000000

TICKETS

From $51.55

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

2+ hours (Peak), 30-60 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

Plan your visit

Did you know?

The construction of Dolmabahce Palace cost 5 million Ottoman gold lira, or 35 tonnes of gold. This is equivalent to nearly $2 billion in today’s times. 14 tonnes of gold was used for gilding the palace ceilings.

“Dolmabahce” means “filled-in garden” in Turkish. The palace is located in what was originally a shallow bay of the Bosphorus. The shore was reclaimed in the late 17th century, filled in, and converted into an imperial garden.

The Bohemian crystal chandelier in the Ceremonial Hall of Dolmabahce Palace is the largest in the world. It weighs a massive 4.5 tonnes and has 750 lamps.

Dolmabahce Palace highlights

Clock Tower

Standing 27 meters tall, the clock tower was built in 1890 and has been keeping time for over a century. It features a distinctive Ottoman-style design. You can climb up to the clock tower's top and enjoy panoramic views of the palace and the Bosphorus Strait.

Dolmabahce Clock Tower

Harem

The harem section of Dolmabahce Palace offers visitors a glimpse into the private lives of the Ottoman sultans and their families. You can explore their living quarters, study, and reception rooms. Look out for their stained glass windows and lavish tilework.

Dolmabahce Palace harem

Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahçe Mosque, situated in Istanbul, Turkey, is a remarkable architectural gem within the Dolmabahçe Palace complex. Completed in 1855, it showcases a fusion of Ottoman and Baroque styles, boasting an impressive facade, intricate interiors, and a unique historical significance.

Dolmabahce Mosque

Dolmabahce Museum

Originally Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque, Dolmabahce Mosque, commissioned in 1852 by Sultan Abdulmecid's mother and completed in 1855, blends Baroque and Ottoman styles near Dolmabahce Palace. Now part of the palace, it houses a museum with 200 paintings spanning the 16th to 20th centuries by Turkish and international artists.

Dolmabahce Museum

Medhal Hall

The Medhal Hall was used as a reception area for the sultan's guests and dignitaries. It features a beautiful crystal chandelier, one of the largest in the palace, and intricate frescoes and carvings along the walls and ceiling.

Mabeyn-i Humayun

When you enter this hall, you get a sense of the power and prestige of the Ottoman Empire and experience the grandeur of a bygone era. It was used as a place of reception for ambassadors and foreign dignitaries visiting the palace.

Muayede

Muayede Hall was used for the grandest ceremonies of the Ottoman Empire, including the coronation of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1876. The hall features an impressive dome, which is adorned with stunning frescoes and intricate gold leaf decorations.

Zulvecheyn Hall

The Zulvecheyn Hall is renowned for its impressive size and stunning crystal chandeliers, which are among the largest in the world, weighing over 4 tons each. You will also find ornate gold leaf decorations and intricate carvings on its walls.

Library

The library contains over 25,000 books in several languages, including Turkish, Arabic, and Persian, with the oldest book dating back to the 9th century. It also has many rare manuscripts, including one of the last handwritten copies of the Quran from the 19th century.

Palace Gates

The gates are made from wrought iron and are adorned with intricate patterns and motifs. They served as the entrance to the palace during the Ottoman Empire and witnessed several crucial moments in Turkish history.

​Inside Dolmabahce Palace >

History of Dolmabahce Palace

History of Dolmabahce Palace

The construction of Dolmabahce Palace began in 1843 under the orders of Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I and was built to replace the Topkapi Palace as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. The construction of the palace took 13 years to complete and cost the equivalent of 35 tons of gold. Many important political events took place at the palace, including the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which established the modern borders of Turkey. Dolmabahce Palace is the largest palace in Turkey, with over 285 rooms, 46 halls, and 6 Turkish baths. It served as the residence of the sultan and his family until the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1922. Today, the palace is a popular tourist attraction and an important symbol of Ottoman history and culture.

Dolmabahce Palace history

Who built Dolmabahce Palace?

Dolmabahce Palace was built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I in the mid-19th century to replace Topkapi Palace as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Armenian architect Garabet Balyan along with his son Nigogayos Balyan ideated the design and construction of the Palace in 1843. It took about 13 years to complete the construction of the Palace.

Architecture & design of Dolmabahce Palace

Architecture of Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace features a beautiful blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. While the exterior facades, domes, and ceilings have Neoclassical features, the Crystal Staircase, adorned with Baccarat crystals takes one on a trip down the bygone days. The palace also houses a variety of notable artworks and statues, such as the colossal Crystal staircase and the impressive painting of the world-famous Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. Additionally, you can explore the palace's extensive gardens, including the Rose Garden, the Palm Garden, and the Camellia Garden, which provide breathtaking views of the Bosphorus River.

Dolmabahce Palace architecture

Frequently asked questions about Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul

Built in the mid-19th century, Dolmabahce Palace served as the primary administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. It features both European and Ottoman architectural elements. The palace is renowned for its opulent interiors adorned with exquisite chandeliers, grand staircases, and extravagant artwork.

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