Beylerbeyi Palace

This building is the Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı), a 19th-century Ottoman imperial residence located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. History and Significance Commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz and built between 1861 and 1865, it was designed by architects Sarkis and Agop Balyan. The palace primarily served as a summer residence for Ottoman sultans and a prestigious guesthouse for foreign heads of state. Famous Guests: It hosted notable figures such as Empress Eugénie of France, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, and Shah Nasireddin of Persia. Sultan Abdülhamid II: After being deposed, Sultan Abdülhamid II spent the last six years of his life here under house arrest until his death in February 1918. Architecture and Interior The palace is renowned for its Neo-Baroque exterior and a traditional Ottoman interior layout. Design: It features 24 rooms and 6 halls across three floors (including the basement). Lavish Decor: The interiors are decorated with Bohemian crystal chandeliers, French clocks, Hereke carpets, and porcelain from China and Japan. A unique feature is the central hall with a marble pool and fountain, designed to cool the palace during the summer. Maritime Themes: Reflecting Sultan Abdülaziz’s passion for the sea, many ceilings and rooms are adorned with nautical motifs and ship paintings. Visitor Information Beylerbeyi Palace is now a museum open to the public. Hours: Generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays). Fees: Approximately 800 TL for foreign visitors and 200 TL for domestic visitors as of 2026. Rules: Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace rooms, though permitted in the gardens.

One of Beautiful palace in İstanbul. Right in front of the sea, seaside view. Classic, fancy, wonderful interior inside the palace. Unique, classy, beautiful collection, shinny antique chandelier. Not allowed take picture inside unfortunetly. Outside there is nice garden, And cafe on the other side. Entrance ticket between local and foreigner tourist are different. 😬. Nice to visit👍

This place is perfect if you want to get an amazing Bosphorus view for little amount of money. Garden ticket is only 60 lira (I think it’s about 1.2€). With that ticket, you can go in the garden, and also go to the gate by the Bosphorus. Amazing spor for the pictures! There was lot of people, but garden is huge so it is not a big problem. You can also drink coffee and tea there. One of the most beautiful places in Istanbul.

Beylerbeyi Palace is a beautiful palace on the Bosphorus and well worth the entrance fee. It reminds me of Dolmabahçe, especially with its gates opening directly onto the Bosphorus, which you use to enter and exit — a perfect spot for stunning photos. The garden is also very beautiful, peaceful, and well maintained. The interior of the palace is rich and lavish, though photography and video recording inside are not allowed. Overall, it is a very memorable and worthwhile experience.

Located on the Asian part of Istanbul, immediately north of Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace was the second palace built along the Bosphorus and it was designed as the summer residence for the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and as a home for the foreign heads of state and leaders who visited the city. Should visit when you are in Istanbul.

I am not the biggest fan of places where the entrance fee is high (for what you can explore) - 15€ for a rather small palace, and additionally you are NOT ALLOWED to take some time and make nice pictures. Also, there is construction going on and practically the whole facade is covered. The palace is nice inside but it's a long way from the center and no pictures officialy allowed, wouldn't come again.

The Sultan’s summer palace. Very grand and very opulent. The chandeliers are stunning. The whole interior is grandeur personified. Shame no photos allowed …although some tourists ignored this!

Not sure if i can say it is a must-see. It was ok but perhaps not worth visiting if you come from far. The upper floor is currently being renovated so you’ll miss out on lots if you plan to visit now. Better to check if the renovation is still ongoing.

So this was just okay and unless you are in the area I would not bother trekking out here just for this. Located in the Üsküdar district, this Baroque Palace was built in 1861 as a Summer palace. The areas inside are pretty restricted and roped off and you basically wander in the hallways peering into highly, way over the top ornate rooms. It just was not my thing. I mean do I really want to see where royals dropped a deuce? but I digress. Also no photography allowed inside for???? Reasons The gardens are just okay as well. The views from the waterline of the straight and Marty's bridge are spectacular, but can be seen just about anywhere from the many parks that dot the coast. There is a significant transport hub and you can take one back (which we did) to the main ferry terminals once you are done.

Located in Üsküdar The Beylerbeyi Palace is a former imperial Ottoman summer residence from the 1800s that now serves as a museum. Not far from the first Bosphorus Bridge guests can see where the Sultan, his spouse and family spent time amongst dozens of well-appointed rooms and groomed grounds. Comissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz and predictably opulent interior photos are frowned upon.

Beautiful Baroque style summer palace built in 1861 for Sultan Abdul Aziz. The reception hall has a pool and a fountain. Running water in Ottoman houses help cool the homes during the summer heat. Egyptian straw mats also helped to insulate the palace. The chandeliers throughout the palace are stunning. The red color in the crystals was achieved by adding gold into the crystal. Note the Baccarat and Murano masterpieces. Look up and the ceilings are also exquisite and hand painted. Many have a nautical theme. Note: no photography is allowed inside.

Just incredible. This Imperial Ottoman Summer Palace is out of a storybook, with stunning decor and design that takes you right back to the 19th century. All the rooms are on view - you can walk into some of them, while others are roped off. The exterior has stunning gardens and the location by the water on the Asian side is romantic beyond belief. Wifey's favorite place. Don't miss it - it's only a 15 minute boat ride from the European ferry side!

Beylerbeyi is an elegant Imperial Ottoman summer palace. It was built during the late 19th century displaying a tasteful combination of Eastern and Western elements of architectury. It's less visited compared to Topkapi or Dolmabahce; therefore, you'll likely have a better opportunity of avoiding major crowds. Half of the compound is open to public; yet, still a must see landmark. The water fountains within the main building which were used to keep the palace cool are quite interesting. Another important fact about the palace (if you're a history buff) is that Abdulhamid II, after being deposed, lived the last few remaining years of his life here. Many touches of the Sultan can be seen and felt throughout the palace.