Artography
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Beylerbeyi Palace
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beylerbeyi Palace rewards those who arrive early—before the tour buses spill in and the grounds lose their quiet, contemplative charm. Set gracefully along the Bosphorus, the palace’s exterior is its greatest seduction: pale stone façades, manicured gardens, and water views that feel effortlessly cinematic, even without trying.
Inside, photography is strictly prohibited, which lends the visit a museum-like reverence. Rooms unfold in hushed succession, their details meant to be absorbed rather than captured. An audio guide is included—but only if you leave your ID as collateral, a small logistical detail that can feel costly if you’re unprepared.
What softens the formality is the palace’s most unexpected flourish: cats. Dozens of them lounge in courtyards and gardens, weaving themselves into the visitor experience with Istanbul’s signature nonchalance—posing for photos, demanding attention, and generally stealing the show.
Come for the architecture and Bosphorus backdrop; linger for the light, the calm, and the cats. Beylerbeyi may not overwhelm, but it charms quietly—and sometimes, that’s exactly enough.