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Experience the Majesty of Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahçe Palace, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is a stunning architectural marvel that seamlessly blends Ottoman and European design influences. Constructed in the mid-19th century, the palace served as the main administrative center for the Ottoman Empire.
Its opulent interiors showcase intricate details, ornate chandeliers, and luxurious furnishings. The palace's unique feature is its fusion of Baroque, Neoclassical, and Ottoman styles, making it a symbol of cultural synthesis.
Set along the Bosphorus, the Dolmabahçe Palace stands as a testament to the grandeur of a bygone era.
Plan Your Visit to Dolmabahce Palace
Location:
- Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey
Opening Times:
- The Dolmabahce Palace is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays.
Best Time To Visit:
- One of the best time to visit Dolmabahce Palace is during the summers as the weather is between 18 degrees to 35 degrees which is ideal for most people.
Best Hour to Visit In A Day:
- The best hour to visit the Dolmabahce Palace is in the early mornings when the light illuminates the entire palace and is perfect for natural photography. Visitors are recommended to visit 20 minutes early from the Dolmabahce Palace timings to enjoy less crowd and enjoy the beautiful sunlight.
By Taxi:
- You can directly take a taxi from the Istanbul airport to reach the Dolmabahçe Palace. The distance is around 43 kms and you can reach it within 36 minutes.
By Towncar/Shuttle:
- Tourists can book an Uber or a Towncar which is easily available or you can also book a shuttle which takes 40 minutes to reach the Palace.
Tram:
- Visitors can also visit the Place via Tram and the nearest stop is the Kabatas. Once visitors get down at the Kabatas, the palace is just a 10 minute walk away.
- Please be aware that the palace is closed every Monday and Thursday. The timings are from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM and the palace is closed during religious holidays.
- It's always best to book tickets in advance to prevent waiting in long queues. This will save a lot of your time and you can enter the palace ahead of everyone.
- There are scheduled tours to certain privileged sections of the palace. Tourists cannot have a tour themselves and have to wait for the professional tour to start.
- Read on some facts about the palace as even a little historical knowledge can help you appreciate every aspect of the palace. The Ottoman empire has a lot of amazing history and the palace signifies a lot of their culture.
- Admission to the Palace is only by a guided tour. You can easily find guides provided by the Museum administration and visitors do not have to pay any extra price.
- The entry time, charges, and dates can be modified without any notice, so make sure to directly contact the palace authority to check if the palace is open.
- You can take photos in the Monument, so make sure to charge your phone before visiting the Palace.
FAQs
Why visit Dolmabahce Palace?
The Dolmabahce Palace is the largest palace in Turkey and is one of the most important monuments of the Ottoman era. You can learn a lot about Turkish history and admire the European-style architecture at the palace. The Palace also has an amazing collection of Baccarat and Bohemian crystals, magnificent gifts from foreign rulers, and many artifacts you can admire.
What is the best time to visit Dolmabahce Palace?
The best time to visit Dolmabahce Palace is during the summers when the temperature is pleasant and the flora at the botanical garden in the Dolmabahce Palace is in bloom.
What is Dolmabahçe Palace known for?
The Dolmabahçe Palace is known to have the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. Another famous attraction here is the crystal staircase which is built in a shape of a double horseshoe built from the amazing Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany.
Is it worth visiting Dolmabahçe Palace?
The Dolmabahçe Palace has a lot of history from the Ottoman era and is one of the most important monuments of the Ottomans. The stunning gilded ceilings and columns, the beautiful architecture, and gifts from the Tsars of Russia and Queen Victoria are worth looking at.
When was Dolmabahce Palace built?
The Dolmabahce Palace was built in 1843 and was completed in 1856 and well known to be the first European style palace in Istanbul which costs five million Ottoman gold pounds. It was built by Sultan Abdulmecid.
Who designed the Dolmabahce palace?
Architect Garabet Balyan designed the Dolmabahce Palace along with William James Smith, Ohannes Serverian, Nigogayos Balyan, and Abdulhalim Bey. The Palace is known to be the first European styled Palace with Fourteen tons of gold leaf used to decorate the ceilings of the palace.
Can you go inside Dolmabahçe Palace?
Yes, the Palace is open to the public, however there are several sections of the Palace which cannot be entered by tourists. Visitors can visit these sections along with a professional guide during the scheduled program.
Who built Dolmabahçe Palace?
The Dolmabahce Palace was built by architect Garabet Balyan and was commissioned by Abdülmecid I, the Empire's 31st Sultan.
How much time do you need in Dolmabahçe Palace?
You need a minimum of 3-4 hours to have a complete tour of the Dolmabahçe Palace as the palace has a huge complex with botanical gardens. With a 600 meters long facade and 15,000 sq feet surface, this palace is one of the largest buildings in the country. The Palace has 285 bedrooms, 43 halls, 68 washrooms and 6 Turkish hammams which will take a minimum of 3-4 hours to visit.