Beylerbeyi Palace: The Quiet Sibling of Dolmabahce
Address
Çayırbaşı, Abdullahağa Cd., 34676 Üsküdar/Istanbul, Turkey
Suggested Duration
1-1.5 hours
From
15 EUR
Skip the Line
Fast-track entry available with select tickets
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Free cancellation up to 24h before
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Built as a summer house to impress visiting royalty, Beylerbeyi Palace is almost directly under the first Bosphorus Bridge, minus the queues that now define its more famous sibling across the water.
Highlights
- Go to where the Ottomans hosted visiting royalty like Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III
- Walk terraced gardens cut right into the hillside above the Bosphorus
- Skip Dolmabahce's queues altogether, this palace gets a fraction of the visitors
Included / Excluded
- Guided entry to the palace's state rooms
- Terraced gardens with direct Bosphorus access
- Transport (not walkable from the old city)
- Photography restricted in some rooms
Good to Know
- Same as Dolmabahce, guided only, in timed groups
- The first Bosphorus Bridge makes a striking backdrop from the garden, almost directly overhead
- Closed Mondays and Thursdays
Available languages: Turkish, English
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Beylerbeyi Palace from the old town?
It's on the Asian side, about 25 to 35 minutes by taxi or ferry, plus a short walk from Sultanahmet.
How does it compare to Dolmabahce Palace?
Smaller, less fussy, with far fewer visitors and a really striking hillside garden that Dolmabahce lacks.
Is it necessary to reserve a guided tour in advance?
Entrance is by timed groups, with a guide. Pre-booking is recommended in summer, although the site can usually accommodate walk-ups outside peak hours.
