Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace, built in the 19th Century by Adbul Mecit, is one of the major attractions of Istanbul. Located at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, this palace is built in a neo-baroque style, including Turkish, European and even Hindu architectural styles.

Unlike the Topkapi Palace, which is rather out-fashioned, the Dolmabahce Palace has an international appeal. Once a home to Sultans and their families, it was later used by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Today, this palace serves a museum as well as a guest-house for foreign statesmen, who are on an official visit to Istanbul. The palace-museum has 3 floors including the basement, all symmetrical in design.

The Dolmabahce Palace complex comprises 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 Turkish baths and a 600 metre long pier, accompanied with two monumental gates leading to the courtyard. 

A huge ballroom, with 4.5 tons crystal chandelier hanging from a 36 metre high ceiling, is one of the attractions of this palace-museum.

In the southern part of this palace is the Dolmabahce Mosque, located on the Bosphorus.
      
Timing: 9 am – 4 pm (Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday to Sunday)
Admission Fees: Required