Hotels near Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace replaced Topkapi as the main Ottoman royal residence in 1856, and its European-inspired design represents a dramatic break from traditional Ottoman architecture. The 285-metre Bosphorus-facing facade is a confection of baroque, rococo, and neoclassical elements - white marble columns, ornate gates, and formal gardens. Inside, the palace contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 68 toilets, and a staggering 14 tonnes of gold leaf decorating the ceilings.

The Ceremonial Hall (Muayede Salonu) is the centrepiece - a 36-metre-high dome hung with a 4.5-tonne Bohemian crystal chandelier, the largest in the world. Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, used the palace as his Istanbul residence and died here on 10 November 1938; the clocks throughout the palace are stopped at 09:05, the time of his death. Entry is TRY 650 (EUR 18) for the main palace; the Harem is a separate ticket. Visits are guided and last about 90 minutes.

Pro Tip: Book tickets online in advance - daily visitor numbers are capped and the palace regularly sells out by midday in peak season. The guided tour format means you cannot linger, so pay close attention in the Ceremonial Hall and the Crystal Staircase. Combine the visit with a walk along the Bosphorus waterfront promenade to Ortakoy (2 km south) for views of the First Bosphorus Bridge.