Dolmabahçe Palace is one of those sights that you should not miss during your holidays in Istanbul, if you claim to be an aspired sightseeing lover! According to the facts, the palace was the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans and it is also estimated that it was probably the most expensive one.
The majestic structure hosts 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 toilets and six hammams, let alone that, the palace resides on the infamous waters of the Bosporus Sea with a jaw-dropping background.
Our Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour invites you to explore one of the most exquisite examples of Ottoman architecture and décor that was highly influenced by the European movements of that period. Nowadays, the palace operates as a museum with an impeccable selection of artworks, treasures, and everyday life items that were used during the Ottoman times.
The tour is available on a daily basis, except Monday, and has an approximate duration of 60 minutes. Please refer to the tour timetables as times vary each day. For a more informative and smooth experience, a guide will accompany you inside the palace. The price does not include hotel transfers and entrance fees to the Harem. To join the Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour, please be at the meeting point, at least 10 minutes before the starting time of the tour, as no prior booking is required. The meeting point for the tour is the clock tower in front of Dolmabahçe Palace.
This tour has no hotel transfer, our guests must make their way to the meeting location on their own. Please meet your guide at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour start time.
Go through the security check and meet your guide at the clock tower in front of Dolmabahçe Palace.
Getting there
Dolmabahçe Palace is very close to Kabataş tram station. Take the T1 tram to Kabataş or the funicular from Taksim metro station and get off at Kabataş station. From there, look around for the gas station. Cross the road in that direction and continue past the gas station for about 5 minutes.
Get Directions For Meeting Point
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About Dolmabahçe Palace
Located in the beautiful coastal area of Besiktas that was the main trading hub during the Ottoman times, this majestic palace was constructed between 1842 and 1853. The first Sultans to live inside were Abdülmecit and then his brother Abdülaziz. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as a state residence for official foreign visitors. However, during the modern history, the palace formed the official presidential residence of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who died there, contributing even more to the historical importance of Dolmabahçe Palace, as a symbol for the nation. Within the 110 thousand square meters, visitors can observe the palace itself, a Harem, the Mabeyn, the Clock Tower and the Dolmabahce Mosque.
Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour
Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour is the ideal option if you seek an all-in-one exclusive experience in one of Turkey’s most iconic monuments of all times. There is no need for prior booking. All you have to do is be at the meeting point 10 minutes prior the starting time of the tour. A tour guide will be waiting to welcome and assist you in exploring the palace. Embark on an incredible journey in time with our guide and get to understand the unique blend of western and ottoman civilizations. Palace’s halls, Ataturk’s room and office, artworks, treasures, paintings and many more are waiting for you inside this emblematic sight.
Meeting point
The meeting point for Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour at the Clock Tower, which is just in front of the palace. All you have to do is go through the security check and keep your eyes open for our guide. Please note that you need to be at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the tour. As transfers are not included in the price, you can always use public transportation to reach Dolmabahçe Palace. You can take the T1 tram line to Kabataş or the funicular from Taksim metro station and get off at Kabataş station which is the closest one to the palace. Once you arrive at the station, cross the road towards the gas station direction and walk for 5 minutes. Dolmabahçe Palace is also accessible via taxis, in case you wish to avoid the crowds.
Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour: Locals’ tips
Still wondering what you can gain when joining the Dolmabahçe Palace Guided Tour? Well, as this is a guided experience, you can get all the information a local guide knows, which is pretty much awesome! When it comes to this iconic palace, there are many interesting insights to be told. For instance, in the Grand Ceremonial Hall, you can observe the largest chandelier in the world. More precisely, the chandelier is entirely made of crystals and has a total weight of 4.5 tonnes.
Now, that a proper palace! It’s huge even for nowadays, I cant even imagine how it used to be back then. Our visit to this iconic monument was more than enough to understand the historical background of that period. There was a guide explaining every single detail to us, so I believe that a visit there is worthy. The ticket I easy to book and we found the guide at a meeting point very easy. It was our first time there and we wanted to go though the palace with a guide, so yes, booking a guided tour was the best thing we did.
I had a great experience with this company. I booked several other tours and all of them were great. I went alone on this one yesterday, and I’m still impressed. This museum is so big and has so many interesting things to see inside. It like an hour, but I wish it was more! The pieces inside are so unique, just as the building itself. No wonder why this place is one of the most famous in Istanbul. I recommend this tour to all of you, as this place is so big and if you go without a guide, you will probably miss the point. Exceptional!
