Palace Tour in Istanbul

Istanbul, this city, has a longer and more illustrious history than the country of Turkey itself. In this city where tradition and modernity coexist, you can deeply feel the rise and fall of Turkish civilization and its nostalgia. When you come to Istanbul and want to experience the history of this ancient city, besides the mosques, of course, you must not miss the palaces that bear the marks of time. Here, I have compiled a list of Istanbul's most worth-visiting palaces for you.

Dolmabahce Palace, located on the west coast of the Bosphorus Strait in Europe, was built in the mid-19th century and is a palace built during the Ottoman Empire period, incorporating Baroque and Neoclassical styles. The construction project cost 5 million Turkish lira, with a lot of extravagance. 14 tons of gold and 40 tons of silver were used to decorate the palace, and the world's largest crystal chandelier weighs 4.5 tons. Nevertheless, the interior decoration of the palace formed a sharp contrast with the decline of national strength. The palace was the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1889 and from 1909 to 1922, and also the place where the last six sultans of the Ottoman Empire ruled. Built on reclaimed land, Dolmabahce Palace was the last glory of the Ottoman Empire, witnessing the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Now, Dolmabahce Palace has been restored and converted into a museum, and the decorations inside the palace are all genuine, making it a valuable historical and cultural heritage.
Yıldız Palace is a magnificent royal palace where all the sultans after Ahmed I enjoyed vacationing. Today, this historic building has become a museum, and the palace houses flora from all over the world, competing for beauty in the vast courtyards.

Topkapi Palace

The Topkapı Palace was an official residence and main dwelling of the Ottoman sultans in the city between 1465 and 1853. Today it has been transformed into a museum showcasing the past lives of the royal family and their astonishing treasures. The palace features a sea-view restaurant where one can overlook the Golden Horn Bay and the opposite side of the new city district.
Dolmabahce Palace is a summer palace built in the 1860s, located in the Dolmabahce neighborhood of Istanbul, adjacent to the Bosphorus Bridge. The palace was ordered to be built by the Ottoman Empire Sultan Abdulaziz I, to entertain foreign heads of state. European royalty and dignitaries have also resided here. Dolmabahce Palace is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Istanbul. It is built of white marble and the courtyard has various types of flowers including magnolias and bamboo. The interior of the palace is not only luxurious, but also filled with beautiful handicrafts and decorations. European royalty and dignitaries have also resided at Dolmabahce Palace, and French Empress Eugenie visited the dressing room on her way to the Suez Canal. Dolmabahce Palace has also become one of the most beautiful corners of the Bosphorus Strait because of its dreamy white palace and courtyard.