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Istanbul: 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Tour
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Dolmabahce Palace: Tours & Tickets
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Change of plans? No problem. Cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.
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Dolmabahce Palace and Other Sights on the Bosphorus Strait
Dolmabahce Palace sits imposingly on the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, and is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture. To get the fuller context of Istanbul's multi-layered history, here are other sights and experiences you should incorporate into your visit there.
1. Dolmabahce Museum
The palace itself serves as a museum, bringing Istanbul's story to life. View the rooms where Ataturk spent his last days, as well as a whole host of antique furniture and art.
2. Bosphorus Strait
How many times have you been on two continents in one day? Every year, people rise to the challenge of swimming across the Bosphorus Strait. If you don't want to get your feet wet, you can simply take a ferry!
3. Rumeli Castle
Sultan Mehmed II built Rumeli Castle in 1451, back when Istanbul was still known as Constantinople. It has retained its rustic charm, which can be viewed from the Bosphorus Strait!
4. Byzantine Quarter
In addition to its Islamic heritage, Istanbul has also been home to Jewish and Christian communities over the centuries. Walk the deep, turreted city walls which were built under Roman Emperor Constantine in order to guard against sea and land attacks.
5. Camlica HIll
Panoramic views and cultivated gardens characterize Camlica Hill, where you can spend an afternoon away from Istanbul's hustle and bustle but still take in the astounding beauty of the region.
Planning Your Visit
Bosphorus Bridge
If you plan to drive across the bridge, bear in mind that there's a toll to cross from Europe to Asia, but not vice versa
October Marathon
If you want to walk between the continents, there's a chance to do that once a year during the marathon!
Sun protection
In the southern European heat, staying adequately protected from the sun is essential! Make sure you stay in the shade around midday, and reapply sunscreen.
Visa
To enter Turkey as a US passport holder, you need to pay $30 for a 90-day visa. You can pay on arrival or easily purchase it online before your trip. Other nationalities may need to check beforehand for entry conditions.
Good to know
-
- When should I visit?
- Open 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Ticket office might close early if maximum number of daily visitors is reached.
-
- Is it expensive?
- Adult general admission starts at 30 lira. Harem entrance is additional 10 lira.
-
- Will I need a guide?
- Individuals are not allowed to explore without a guide. Many guided tours, also in English, are led throughout the day.
-
- How to get there
- Located just short walk from Kabatas tram stop.
-
- Additional information
- Please note that within the Palace you are not allowed to take pictures but can still capture the impressive views and gardens surrounding the palace to share with friends and family.
- The changing of the guard outside the palace is a sight in itself! Pick a spot and wait to see this ancient tradition.
Top Attractions in Istanbul
- 12 Grand Bazaar
- 13 Hodjapasha
- 14 Beyazit
- 17 Balat
- 19 Beyoglu
Things to Do in Istanbul
Other Sightseeing Options in Dolmabahce Palace
Want to discover all there is to do in Dolmabahce Palace? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about Dolmabahce Palace
We had a great tour with Ozzie! After being scammed earlier in the day visiting some other sites, it was a relief to meet Ozzie and have a in depth and peaceful tour of the palace. He shared with us a lot of history about Turkey and all the details of the palace. It is a stunning building inside and out with some incredible details! Definitely worth a visit and we enjoyed having Ozzie guide us through with all his knowledge!
Me and my friends had an amazing day absorbing the vast historical knowledge of our professional guide, the meetup with Naci was smooth and we instantly knew this was going to be a great day of sightseeing and learning about culture, great food and historical tidbits. Highly recommended!
Our tour guide was Mr Furkan Sari. We was an excellent guide who explained to us about Turkey’s history pretty well. We really enjoyed our tour with him
Ozzy was a wonderful and very informative guide. The Palace was the highlight of the trip and definitely worth the visit.
John was an excellent host my group thoroughly enjoyed both our tours with him. Excellent tour guide
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