Guided tour

Istanbul: Dolmabahçe Palace Admission and Guided Tour

4.3 / 5

101 reviews

Activity provider: Istanbul Tourist Pass®
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    Guided tour

    Istanbul: Dolmabahçe Palace Admission and Guided Tour

    Activity provider: Istanbul Tourist Pass®
    Likely to sell out
    Likely to sell out

    From US$ 37.57 per person

    Skip the ticket line and enter the Dolmabahçe Palace with a professional guide. Learn about the history of the palace, its differences from the Topkapı Palace, and enjoy entry to Imperial Harem.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Reserve now & pay later
    Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
    Duration 1 hour
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Skip the ticket line
    Live tour guide
    English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Visit the largest palace of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire
    • See the greatest collection of Baccarat and Bohemian chandeliers
    • Learn about the differences between Dolmabahçe and Topkapı Palaces
    • Enjoy entrance to the Imperial Harem section (without a guide)
    Full description

    Explore Dolmabahçe Palace - the biggest royal residence of the sultans and the imperial family of the Ottoman Empire. Meet your licensed English-speaking guide outside the monument and enter with your skip-the-line admission ticket. Begin a guided tour of the stunning interiors. Learn about how the palace was built by the orders of Sultan Abdülmecid I and opened in 1856. Admire the greatest collection of Baccarat and Bohemian chandeliers on the planet, including the biggest Bohemian chandelier ever. Marvel at the vast collection gold inside, specifically on the ornate ceilings.  As you continue the tour, learn about the distinct differences between the Dolmabahçe Palace and the Topkapı Palace - for example, the architectural style and the way that the furniture was used. Find out about how the Dolmabahçe Palace was the last headquarter of the empire and was served until 1922. At the end of your one hour tour, you can explore Imperial Harem on your own freely, without a guide.

    Includes
    • Entrance ticket to Dolmabahçe Palace
    • Licensed English-speaking guide
    • Free time to explore
    • Entrance to Imperial Harem section (ticket only)
    • Entrance ticket to Clock Museum
    Covid-19 precautions
    Safety measures in place
    • All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
    • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask
    • You will receive a mandatory temperature check

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    • The meeting point for this tour is in front of the Dolmabahce BUFE before the security line. • The guide will be holding a white flag with the logo "Istanbul Tourist Pass" • Skip the line is for the ticket line, not security control. • You must meet your guide 20 minutes before the tour time.

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    Important information

    Know before you go

    • Per museum's rules, for groups between five to 15 people, visitors must use an audio guide provided by the museum. A deposit of 100 EUR or a valid ID is mandatory for the audio guide.
    • For groups more than 15 people, our guide will provide a headset during the tour.
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.3 /5

    based on 101 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.5/5
    • Value for money
      4.1/5

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    Our guide was terrific. He was well educated and spoke clearly, telling us just the right amount of detail and history to help us appreciate what we were seeing. He was receptive to questions, friendly and fun. We could have toured the palace on our own, but I believe we had a much richer experience there because of this guide.

    May 18, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – United States Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Please make sure that you get an audio guide. The guide is only allowed into the exhibition if at least 15 people are participating. I only had 13 registered. Then there is an introduction in front of the palace and on the ground floor at the first station and then you have to go on alone. The introduction to my tour was very good, the lady spoke very good, understandable English and was able to answer all questions. My tour also included entry to the harem and art museum. We needed 4 hours for the palace and harem and then we were no longer in the art museum. Unfortunately, since this was our last day, we couldn't make up for the visit. The tickets would have been valid for another week. It is currently not possible to visit all rooms and outdoor areas due to renovation work.

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    May 15, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Germany Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Overall, it was an excellent tour and experience. We met our tour guide in the meeting point, and the tour started. In the garden of the palace, he introduced us with the most important and the most interesting details about the Dolmabahce Palace, how and when it was built, and its main purpose. After that, we proceed to the Dolmabahce Palace. The Palace is beautiful, it's built in European style which is so atypical for Istanbul. Beautiful ceilings, chandeliers and rooms, the grand hall is breathtaking. Courtyard of the palace is also very beautiful.

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    May 1, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Serbia Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 280452