Dolmabahce Palace built in the 19th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there.
After the foundation of the Turkish Republic in Ankara, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk transferred all government functions to the youthful capital but on his visits to Istanbul Ataturk occupied only a small room at Dolmabahce Palace as his own. He stayed, welcomed his foreign guests, and made a practical center for national, historical, and language congress and for international conferences.
How to go to Dolmabahce Palace?
Dolmabahce Palace is located on the European side of Istanbul and in the district of Besiktas. Palace is open to visiting every day except Monday and Thursday between 09 am and 3 pm.
Generally, foreign visitors to Istanbul prefer to stay in various hotels in the Sultanahmet area. The most reasonable and comfortable way to reach from Sultanahmet to Dolmabahce Palace is the Bagcilar – Kabatas tram. The tram is quick, easy cheap, and air-conditioned. It runs from Sultanahmet Square to Kabatas with passing through Eminonu, Golden Horn, etc. When you take the tram, do not get off until the last stop. When you reach the last stop, you will be in the Kabatas district. Via tram, Kabatas is the nearest stop to Dolmabahce. It takes only 10 minutes to walk from Kabatas to the palace. There is no tram station just near the Dolmabahce. If you don’t want to use the tram and walk 10 minutes you can easily catch a taxi to go to Dolmabahce Palace from Sultanahmet. Taxi costs more and you can be stuck for hours in the traffic during rush hours.
If you stay in Besiktas or Taksim, there are many buses to go to the palace. You can take one of them and get off in front of Dolmabahce Palace. From Taksim square, you can also take a taxi to the palace. Walking downhill from Taksim to Kabatas is 15 minutes. To go to Kabatas also there is the funicular railway. It is easy to walk to the palace when you arrive in Kabatas.
Istanbul cruise port is in Karakoy near the Galata Tower. Cruise port terminal is 3 km away from Dolmabahce Palace. Driving time takes only 6 minutes to go to the palace via taxi.
Open for visit
Today all sections and units of Dolmabahce Palace are restored and opened to visit. The Dolmabahce Palace Complex is administered by the National Palaces Trust under the TBMM ( auspices of the Turkish Grand National Assembly ); and it is open to visitors, except Mondays and Thursdays daily between 09:00 – 16:00. It is one of the most important historic places in Istanbul that must be seen.
Istanbul situated on seven hills and it is a city of palaces as well. Please, do not miss to visit Dolmabahce Palace if you come to Istanbul, the city of palaces. This Palace is one of the most fascinating palaces in the world built in the 19th century, Ottoman architecture and it was located in an area of 110 thousand square meters.
In the European Side
It is located along the European shore of the Bosphorus between the ports of Besiktas and Kabatas. the plan arrangement of Dolmabahce Palace is an adaptation of traditional Turkish houses on a grander scale, constructed with brick internal walls, stone external walls, and timber floors. After your visit with the breezes in the halls of the palace, it will be a great pleasure for you to rest at the cafe in the garden and have a cup of coffee with the fascinating Bosphorus scene. If you have a chance to visit Dolmabahce Palace in June, you’ll get fascinated by the glory of magnolia trees.
