
Dolmabahce Palace Tour in Istanbul
3 h
Instant confirmation
About this activity
After pickup from your central Istanbul hotel, travel to Dolmabahçe Palace by air-conditioned coach with your guide. Sitting on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, this magnificent building was one of the last palaces to be built during the Ottoman Empire. As you approach, gaze in wonder at the exterior’s decadence – a beautiful mix of Ottoman and European architecture.
Head inside and explore the sumptuous public rooms with your guide, learning about the sultans who once made the palace their home. Extravagance abounds around every corner -- watch for exquisite crystal chandeliers that frame opulent marble rooms.
Walk through the Medhal Hall and up the Crystal Staircase. Learn about Mustafa Atatürk – the first president of the Republic of Turkey. Listen about this much-revered dignitary from your guide, and hear how all the palace’s clocks were stopped at the time of his death – precisely 9:05am.
After your tour of the palace, hop back on board your coach and travel along Bosphorus Bridge – the iconic crossing that links the European and Asian continents. Before returning to your hotel, your tour takes you to either Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe (depending on traffic conditions on the day). Both places are glorious vantage points from which you can see sweeping panoramic views over the city below – the perfect ending to your Istanbul tour!
Please note: Dolmabahçe Palace on Mondays & Thursdays will be replaced with Eyüp, Pierre Loti Coffee House and Miniatürk.
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Head inside and explore the sumptuous public rooms with your guide, learning about the sultans who once made the palace their home. Extravagance abounds around every corner -- watch for exquisite crystal chandeliers that frame opulent marble rooms.
Walk through the Medhal Hall and up the Crystal Staircase. Learn about Mustafa Atatürk – the first president of the Republic of Turkey. Listen about this much-revered dignitary from your guide, and hear how all the palace’s clocks were stopped at the time of his death – precisely 9:05am.
After your tour of the palace, hop back on board your coach and travel along Bosphorus Bridge – the iconic crossing that links the European and Asian continents. Before returning to your hotel, your tour takes you to either Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe (depending on traffic conditions on the day). Both places are glorious vantage points from which you can see sweeping panoramic views over the city below – the perfect ending to your Istanbul tour!
Please note: Dolmabahçe Palace on Mondays & Thursdays will be replaced with Eyüp, Pierre Loti Coffee House and Miniatürk.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Local guide
- Entry/Admission - Dolmabahce Palace
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
85%
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It was one hour late by the time we went to the palace...due to pickups and traffic issues. The guide went through the tour at a very fast pace. Didn’t have time to enjoy. We were rushing past to make up for the lost time.
A must see. Fabulous palace .
This was very interesting. The guide gave us a real look into the past and the wealth and power of the sultans.
This tour was wonderful the guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour. The Palace is incredible and the view spectacular!
A very well organised afternoon with a Hotel pickup to join the tour a central location. Our guide was very informative and the tour of Palace well organised given the number of visitors. Our return to our Hotel was another tour of the city as there were many drop offs and ours was the last. A good afternoon.
Our hotel was about 1 mile or so from the palace, but we were picked up and driven clear across town to a meeting point and then back again to the palace. With traffic it took 2 hours. Then since we were late we were rushed through the tour. Skipped the ride over the bridge to Asia since we were so late and with traffic at a crawl we thought it would be several more hours before we would get back. Our tour guide was good and did his best in the bad situation.