Dolmabahçe Palace is the vast 19th-century palace on the European shore of the Bosphorus, where the Ottoman sultans moved after leaving the old Topkapı Palace. Its long marble facade faces the water, and inside are gilded ceilings, crystal staircases and one of the most famous chandeliers in the world. It is a very different experience from Topkapı: less about medieval courtyards, more about an empire trying to present itself as a modern European power.
Why visit Dolmabahçe Palace
Sultan Abdülmecid I had the palace built in the mid 19th century on land reclaimed from a small bay, which is where the name comes from: "dolma bahçe" roughly means "filled garden". Designed by members of the Balyan family of architects, it mixes Ottoman layout with Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical decoration.
The palace also has deep meaning for modern Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, used it as his residence in Istanbul and died here on 10 November 1938. The clocks in the palace are traditionally kept stopped at the time of his death, and his room is preserved as he left it.
For visitors, the contrast with Topkapı is the point. Topkapı shows the Ottoman court at its height, built around courtyards and pavilions. Dolmabahçe shows the empire in its final century, reaching for European fashions in furniture, glass and architecture. Seeing both gives a much fuller picture of Istanbul's imperial history.
How to get to Dolmabahçe Palace
The palace is not on a metro line itself. The most practical stop is Kabataş, from which the main gate is about a ten-minute walk north along the waterfront. You can reach Kabataş in several ways:
- From Taksim: take the M2 metro to Taksim, then the short F1 funicular down the hill to Kabataş. This is the easiest route from the newer parts of the city.
- From the old city: the T1 tram runs from Sultanahmet across the Galata Bridge and ends at Kabataş.
- By ferry: Kabataş has a ferry pier with connections across the Bosphorus to the Asian side.
An Istanbulkart works on the metro, funicular, tram and ferries, and is the simplest way to pay.
Dolmabahçe Palace tickets and opening hours
The palace is run by the National Palaces administration, and entry requires a ticket. The main building is divided into the Selamlık, the official and ceremonial rooms, and the Harem, the private family quarters. Tickets have been sold for the Selamlık and Harem together or separately, and there may be extra charges for the separate museums in the grounds. Visits inside are usually done with an audio guide or on a set route, and photography indoors has been restricted.
The palace is normally closed on Mondays, and queues can be long in summer and on weekends. Check the official National Palaces website for current prices, hours and online tickets.
Best time to visit
Arrive at opening time if you can, especially in summer when tour groups fill the line by late morning. Weekdays are calmer than weekends. Allow two to three hours to see both the Selamlık and the Harem and to walk the gardens by the water.
Summer afternoons inside can be warm, and the route through the rooms involves a lot of standing, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water for the gardens. If the queue at the main gate is long, it is worth walking the waterfront first and coming back, as lines often shorten after the morning groups have gone in. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for combining the palace with a walk along the Bosphorus.
Highlights
The Ceremonial Hall
The domed Muayede Salonu is the largest room in the palace, built for state receptions and religious festivals. Its huge crystal chandelier is said to be a gift from Queen Victoria and is often described as one of the heaviest in the world.
The Crystal Staircase
A double horseshoe staircase with crystal balusters, one of the most photographed features of the Selamlık.
Atatürk's room
The modest bedroom in the Harem where Atatürk died, a place of quiet respect for Turkish visitors.
The waterfront gardens and gates
The ornate gates along the Bosphorus and the formal gardens are worth time on their own, with ships passing just beyond the wall.
Nearby
From the palace you can easily continue along the shore:
- Dolmabahçe Clock Tower: the elegant tower just outside the main gate.
- Beşiktaş: a lively neighbourhood a short walk north with a fish market, cafes and a ferry pier.
- Istanbul Naval Museum: on the Beşiktaş waterfront, with historic imperial caïques.
- Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue: back up the hill on the funicular.
For more places in the area, open Dolmabahçe Palace on Around the Metro, or see the full Istanbul metro map.