Travel bucket list idea:
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey
Beylerbeyi Palace
This stunning palace was built in 1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz (1830–1876) as a summer residence and to entertain guests – Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and French Emperor Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie, both visited.
The palace’s opulent interior features a blend of Ottoman, Baroque, and Rococo styles, adorned with exquisite chandeliers, gilded ceilings, and luxurious furnishings. Notable rooms include the reception hall, the Grand Hall, and the Sultan’s study.
Today, the main structure and harem sections are open to visitors. Explore its lavish rooms and beautifully manicured gardens for a fascinating insight into the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire and the decadent lifestyles of its sultans.
To get there, take a taxi or use public transportation. From the European side, you can take a ferry from Eminonu or Kabatas to Uskudar, and then either walk or take a short taxi ride to the palace. From the Asian side, it is within walking distance from the Uskudar ferry terminal.
The palace is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Marmara Region, Turkey
Destination guide
Exotic, inexhaustible and dynamic – East meets West head-on in this mesmerising city metropolis, famed for its extraordinarily rich history, superb food and shopping, and mind-blowingly magnificent, over-sized mosques.
