Istanbul Full Day Bosphorus Cruise and Beylerbeyi Palace Tour

M

Muhammed W.

February 11, 2026

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.

M

melinda p.

January 27, 2026

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👍

A

Artography

January 06, 2026

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.