Istanbul: Dolmabahce Palace and Harem Fast-Track & Audio

The ticket cost is quite steep, but certain rooms are truly exceptional. It's unfortunate that photography isn't allowed inside the palace.

Helpful? Yes

While the cost may be a bit steep, the palace itself is truly incredible. You'll have the opportunity to explore the Palace, Haram, and Art Museum. Its seaside location also makes for an unforgettable experience.

Helpful? Yes

The visit was very enjoyable. However, the ticketing process was a bit confusing. We had a QR code in our app, but it was incorrect. We had to ask the security team, who contacted someone else, and then we got the correct QR code via WhatsApp.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is truly stunning, with so many rooms to explore.

Helpful? Yes

Enjoyable tour with a clear and informative audio guide.

Helpful? Yes

An extraordinary palace that is a must-see for anyone traveling to Istanbul.

Helpful? Yes

There's so much to explore. We visited early in the morning and didn't have to wait in line for security.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is truly stunning and filled with atmosphere. To fully enjoy your visit, having an audio guide is essential. Without it, it would just be an expensive trek.

Helpful? Yes

The gardens are beautiful, but it is disappointing that photography is not allowed inside due to the high entrance fee.

Helpful? Yes

It was very easy to get in and get the audio guide. The palace itself is magnificent and definitely worth seeing.

Helpful? Yes

The site itself was very enjoyable. Login was seamless and exactly as described.

Helpful? Yes

We completed all the tours early in the morning, which meant no crowds and no waiting around.

Helpful? Yes

We bought a skip the line entrance ticket and were let in without any priority. The audio guide was definitely worth getting.

Helpful? Yes

Everything about the visit was wonderful, especially the palace interior. However, since photography was prohibited, it felt like a simple walk through the rooms and I completed the tour pretty quickly.

Helpful? Yes

An incredible experience in a truly extraordinary setting. With its meticulous detail and captivating atmosphere, it's a must see for anyone traveling to Istanbul.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is stunning with both its interior and exterior, and you can enjoy exploring the gardens and cafe, as well as touring the entire palace and harem in about 1.5-2 hours.

Helpful? Yes

Exploring the palace interior with an audio guide that's inconsistent and has a few restricted areas. Still, the palace itself is definitely worth seeing. While it's beautiful, I'd recommend spending your money on another tour.

Helpful? Yes

Being able to skip the line was definitely helpful. That's the main advantage of these tickets. They're quite expensive for tourists, but given our busy schedule, they were worth having. The audio guides didn't offer much detail because the information provided was pretty basic.

Helpful? Yes

Another wonderful visit to a stunning palace full of historical riches, located at one of the most famous points of the Bosphorus.

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Smooth entry without any queues. I recommend visiting early in the morning, as it tends to get quite busy later in the day.

Helpful? Yes

It truly is one of the world's most impressive buildings. However, despite pre purchasing tickets online, we encountered difficulties obtaining them. The ticket distribution process definitely needs improvement.

Helpful? Yes

Overall it was a great experience. Be sure to allow plenty of time as there is so much to explore. The lake offers beautiful views.

Helpful? Yes

A palace set in a stunning location, featuring breathtaking interior design.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is truly magnificent, but it is disappointing that the audio guide only focuses on the art museum and gives no details about the palace itself.

Helpful? Yes

A stunning spot along the Bosphorus offering great value for what you pay.

Helpful? Yes

The walk from the cruise ship dock to the entrance was simple and easy. Our ticket QR codes were scanned seamlessly at both the main gate and the entrances to the palace and harem. Everything went very smoothly. The layout of the palace and harem was well organized, and the audio guides provided valuable information. We spent about three and a half hours exploring, so I recommend allowing plenty of time. Overall, it was a great tour and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Helpful? Yes

The experience was truly incredible. The palace was magnificent and the gardens were beautiful.

Helpful? Yes

I was very pleased with the visit; exploring the palace was absolutely worthwhile.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is stunning and definitely worth a visit. Tickets are emailed a few days in advance, providing all the necessary information. Upon arrival, you'll first go through a security check for bags, then proceed directly to the palace entrance, where the turnstiles are located. You'll need to show your ticket to the attendant. Just before the turnstiles, there's a small door on the left where you can check in and pick up an audio guide in your preferred language. Your ID will be required as a deposit and returned at the end of the tour. The audio guide is well designed and starts automatically as you enter each room.

Helpful? Yes

A magnificent palace set in a beautiful location. The audio guide was extremely helpful in understanding and appreciating the palace’s rich history.

Helpful? Yes

I really enjoyed the palace! Both the building and the surrounding area are stunning. The small café near the entrance was also a nice touch.

Helpful? Yes

The grounds were stunning, and the audio guide helped us gain a great deal of knowledge during our visit.

Helpful? Yes

Getting in was straightforward, and the palace itself is truly impressive. I highly suggest exploring the Palace, which is the most stunning section and definitely offers much more than just the harem.

Helpful? Yes

Everything went flawlessly and without any issues.

Helpful? Yes

Everything went smoothly. We received our audio guides in exchange for our IDs, which made it easy to enjoy exploring the gardens, palace, and harem.

Helpful? Yes

The process was very simple. Within 24 hours of my chosen date, I received an email with my digital tickets. When we arrived at both events, staff scanned our codes for entry, which saved us from waiting in line for over two hours at both events. It's important to note that neither event offers single use day passes that can be purchased directly from their websites, so this was a great alternative.

Helpful? Yes

Our guide, Mert, was outstanding, and his command of English was flawless.

Helpful? Yes

It was an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

A stunning palace with beautifully manicured gardens. Both the palace and the harem are definitely worth exploring. It's truly magnificent.

Helpful? Yes

I was able to skip the queue at the ticket counter, allowing me to enter without any hassle and save a lot of time, which was very convenient.

Helpful? Yes

Everything was great. Overall it was a great experience.

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A stunning location with breathtaking views. I highly recommend visiting.

Helpful? Yes

Dolmabahçe Palace is truly impressive and magnificent, making it well worth a visit. While the queue at the entrance may seem long at first, security checks were efficient and the wait was very short. I recommend enjoying coffee and cake at the café bar in the greenhouse just outside the palace.

Helpful? Yes

The experience was great in every way! However, considering the large number of visitors, it would be beneficial to add at least one more public restroom.

Helpful? Yes

It was a wonderful experience, made even better by the clear and user-friendly audio guide provided. The automatic navigation between rooms was a great feature. The extensive grounds outside the palace are well marked, with beautiful resin stone walkways, lovely gardens, and pleasant cafes. Allow at least three hours to fully appreciate it all. I highly recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is absolutely stunning and a must-see! It's also a great place for photography. The gardens are breathtaking. While the palace interior offers incredible luxury, the harem offers a striking contrast, showcasing a completely different style.

Helpful? Yes

It was an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the history of Istanbul.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is stunningly beautiful. The state ballroom was my favorite room.

Helpful? Yes

We had some trouble accessing the entrance QR code and had to ask the palace reception for assistance. Fortunately, using the reservation code quickly resolved the issue. The palace and its surroundings are breathtaking, making this experience definitely worthwhile.

Helpful? Yes

The audio guide shuts off after the second room, so make sure it's fully charged when you pick it up. Don't miss the Harem, it's a must see! Remember that photography is prohibited throughout the palace.

Helpful? Yes

The place was quite crowded, with many visitors, which made the experience less enjoyable. A few rooms were closed, but the building itself was magnificent. The tour was engaging and informative.

Helpful? Yes

Overall, the experience was good, and getting through security was quick. However, the initial QR code I received wasn't sufficient, so I had to show another QR code sent by the tour operator, Cosmic Tickets and Audios, which cost me a bit of extra time.

Helpful? Yes

A priority entrance ticket is definitely worth it, as it allows you to skip the long lines at the ticket office. The interior of Dolmabahçe Palace was a bit boring in my opinion, but the exterior, especially the facades and the meticulously maintained gardens overlooking the Bosphorus, was stunning and impressive. The restrooms weren't very clean, and I found the entrance fee quite high.

Helpful? Yes

This is a skip the line ticket with an audio guide, which you can pick up at the palace entrance. I recommend purchasing it to fully enjoy your visit.

Helpful? Yes

The place is stunning, and we were eager to capture some photos, though it was somewhat pricey.

Helpful? Yes

The venue was stunning and truly memorable. However, it's important to note that a ticket doesn't get you through security, where lines are often quite long. Meanwhile, bands often skip the line, making purchasing this ticket somewhat unnecessary.

Helpful? Yes

The skip the line ticket had to be exchanged on the spot, but the palace itself was truly extraordinary.

Helpful? Yes

Everything was perfect; the only thing I found difficult was that the experience was quite long and involved a lot of walking. There aren't many places to rest along the way, which might be difficult for some visitors.

Helpful? Yes

Stunning palace with a maze like layout. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Helpful? Yes

The palace was stunning and well maintained. Unfortunately, photography was prohibited inside the palace. We had breakfast at one of the cafes, but had to rush to finish as they closed just 10 minutes after serving our meal.

Helpful? Yes

Trying to figure out where to get the audio guide was a bit of a hassle. In the end, I decided to just complete the tour without using the guide.

Helpful? Yes

There was no guide at the meeting point, so I had to wait quite a while. However, if you check the details beforehand, you can explore the different areas on your own.

Helpful? Yes

Everything was stunning, with clear signs guiding the way through the parks and interiors.

Helpful? Yes

Being able to go straight in after passing through security was fantastic, and the palace itself is stunning and worth seeing. However, one of the guards inside was extremely rude. From the moment you enter, you're told sternly that photography is prohibited, and this rule is enforced throughout the visit. The behavior was extreme, as if visitors were being treated as threats. When someone tried to take photos, the reactions were extreme, making it tempting to take photos discreetly.

Helpful? Yes

The palace tour was certainly impressive, but we felt the value for money wasn't quite fair. Having an audio guide is essential, as without it, it's difficult to grasp the historical context and you'll be left just walking. The palace itself is fascinating, but the harem wasn't as impressive for us. We recommend arriving right at opening time, as it gets crowded around 11 or 12 a.m., and the large number of visitors can make the experience less enjoyable.

Helpful? Yes

We bought our tickets online, but when we arrived, the staff weren't sure how to handle the process. We had to wait in three separate queues before we could get in. I wouldn't recommend buying tickets in advance, as buying them on site seems quicker.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is stunning, though the skip the line option is only beneficial when there’s actually a queue.

Helpful? Yes

It's exactly as I expected. A wonderful palace to explore, but it's a shame that photography isn't allowed like so many other palaces.

Helpful? Yes

The palace is definitely worth a visit. It's easily accessible via the T1 tram line, which stops about 500 meters from the entrance. Arriving early will help you avoid the crowds. An audio guide is highly recommended.

Helpful? Yes

If you're planning to visit early, you might not need this voucher. You can save some money by purchasing your ticket directly from the ticket office. However, when we left around 1:00 PM, we had to wait at the ticket office for about 10 minutes. Therefore, if you're planning to visit Dolmabahçe Palace during peak hours, I recommend booking in advance.

Helpful? Yes

We had trouble at the entrance because they wanted a different QR code than the one we had. But other than that, everything was great.

Helpful? Yes

A truly stunning location with a breathtaking atmosphere.

Helpful? Yes

It was a good experience, though I feel the cost is somewhat steep, even with the priority entry.

Helpful? Yes

The audio guide provided with your ID works very well and activates automatically. Tickets are delivered via WhatsApp and SMS. The skip the line option is definitely a plus. The visit went smoothly, and the palace itself is stunning.

Helpful? Yes

Tickets were pre booked at home. We skipped the line, quickly checked in, and then picked up the audio guides. From there, we explored the palace on our own. It's definitely worth a visit. After the tour, you can relax in the beautiful gardens and enjoy the Bosphorus views.

Helpful? Yes

Stunning palace with access to every room, making it a worthwhile experience for the price.

Helpful? Yes

The efficient ticket purchasing process and helpful audio guide service were very good.

Helpful? Yes

The experience was very good, although we did experience some issues as our tickets had to be confirmed via WhatsApp and not the app.

Helpful? Yes

The place itself is stunning and perfect for taking photos. The audio guide was very helpful and easy to use. I highly recommend it.

Helpful? Yes

We only booked an hour before our visit, and finding the on site contact was quite difficult. This was unfortunate, but all went well in the end. It would have been helpful if the meeting point had been clearly marked.

Helpful? Yes

We had to call the helpline while we were there because we couldn't get the QR code via WhatsApp, which was a bit of a hassle.

Helpful? Yes

Tickets were delivered via WhatsApp, which made the entry process much easier compared to other experiences where you have to meet the guide in person. The palace itself is stunning and definitely worth a visit.

Helpful? Yes

Our tour started right on time. We received our tickets without any delay. The guide was very friendly and everything was very well organized.

Helpful? Yes

When I arrived, I couldn't find the group on time, which worried me a bit, probably because I arrived right on time instead of 10 minutes early due to a tram delay. The guide gave a thorough overview of the history, but the presentation could have been a bit more engaging, and there were no opportunities for questions. To be honest, managing a large group meant the guide had to cover the material quickly. Overall, while the tour felt a bit rushed, it was an effective way to see the palace, so I'm glad I joined.

Helpful? Yes

Having some free time following the guided tour was really appreciated.

Helpful? Yes

The guide arrived on time and shared interesting information about the palace. The inclusion of a harem tour was a nice added bonus, but the allotted 30 minutes felt too short. Ideally, it should have been at least 45 minutes.

Helpful? Yes

There is no need to wait in line at the entrance, your guide will give you interesting information.

Helpful? Yes

The guide was excellent. He was kind and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the tour and thought it was a great value for the price. I highly recommend it. Also, don't forget to use the audio device, as it provides fascinating details.

Helpful? Yes

The palace itself is beautiful, but to my uninitiated eye, it doesn't balance Asian and European art well and has a predominantly European influence. I found Topkapi Palace more captivating. It was also difficult to find an audio guide while rushing through the ticket checkpoint, especially because of the large number of people waiting in the back and the fact that no one advises visitors to buy an audio guide.

Helpful? Yes

The site itself is truly fascinating. However, visitor facilities and directions are not very clear. While the complex is quite large, including an impressive building and extensive open spaces, visitors need more guidance. Furthermore, staff are expected to speak at least basic English, which is unfortunately not the case.

Helpful? Yes

The palace and gardens were stunning, but unfortunately, the audio guide didn't work for my partner. We only noticed it at a specific point where it should have been activated, and there were no instructions on how to use it. Several staff members tried to fix the problem during the tour, but nothing worked, and it felt like a waste of money. Also, the fast track ticket office was closed, even though we paid an extra fee. Luckily, we had printed out our email codes the day before, which was helpful. Overall, I think the visit could have been better organized.

Helpful? Yes