Istanbul 4-day Itinerary
Turkey
Where to go and what to see in Istanbul to get the most from your trip – a 4-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Bucket list experience:
This luxurious, modern ‘European’ palace on the banks of the Bosphorus was built on the order of the Ottoman Empire’s 31st Sultan, Abdulmecid I, and was built between the years 1843 and 1856. An extraordinary and unique architectural curiosity, the Dolmabahce blends Ottoman architecture with Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical details – it’s overwhelming to the point of kitsch, and so lavish that it bankrupted the Empire.
Don’t trust the clocks: they all say 9.05, stopped at the hour when the Turkish revolutionary statesman Ataturk died here on 10 November 1938.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Turkey
Where to go and what to see in Istanbul to get the most from your trip – a 4-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
The palace is a five-minute walk from Kabatas station, the last one on the tram line, or take the funicular down from Taksim Square to the Kabatas station. There is a daily quota of 3,000 visitors to the palace, so go early, especially in peak season, to avoid disappointment.
There are two parts to the palace, the Selamlik (the official public rooms) and the Harem (private chambers). There are free audio guides available at the entrance. Allow around two hours to see the palace. This is a huge complex, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
It’s open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. In summer do arrive as it opens, not only to be sure of getting a ticket but to avoid long queues in the hot sun.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Istanbul
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[0.4 miles]
Right on the Bosphorus, this large, luxury-packed hotel is true to its name, with superb facilities and mesmerising views over the water.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.1 miles]
A hip, upmarket base with a great pool and bar in one of Istanbul’s slickest neighbourhoods – though the main historic sights are around a 6km taxi ride away.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[1.4 miles]
Dating back to the 1860s, this was the last palace to be built in Istanbul for the Ottoman royals – it’s now an opulent 5-star hotel and celeb favourite, set away from the cacophony of central Istanbul.
Official star rating:
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[2.4 miles]
Wonderfully evocative of Old Istanbul, this lavish, recently-renovated 19th-century hotel is a treat for history and culture buffs.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Marmara Region, Turkey
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.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Istanbul , Marmara , Turkey[2.4 miles]
Experience an older, imperial Istanbul by enjoying traditional afternoon tea in a gilded, red-velvet salon at this famous 19th-century hotel.
Best for ages: 10+ | £8 | 1-2 hours
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[3.4 miles]
Built in 1459 to become the 15th and-16th century home of the Ottoman Sultans, this magnificently decadent palace is a perfectly preserved time capsule of life at the top in this most exotic of empires.
Best for ages: 8+ | £17
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[3.5 miles]
One of the greatest urban boat journeys, a glide down the Bosphorus strait passes Ottoman palaces, forts and picturesque villages.
Best for ages: 4+ | £10 | 1 hour to full day
Istanbul , Marmara , Turkey[3.5 miles]
Three world-class collections, including the famous Alexander sarcophagus, fascinating prehistoric art and gorgeous Ottoman tiles.
Best for ages: 6+ | £5
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[1.5 miles]
A fascinating and quirky military museum with an astonishing array of uniforms, weapons and battle standards. Upstairs, there is a room devoted to the revolutionary statesman Ataturk. Go around 3pm for an unforgettably weird re-creation of a 17th-century military band concert.
Best for ages: 13+ | £1
Istanbul, Marmara Region, Turkey[2.3 miles]
World-class collections of Ottoman art, tiles and ceramics – plus big-name travelling exhibitions – set in a former grand hotel.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[2.5 miles]
A modern art museum housing the finest collection of modern and contemporary art in the country. The Modern’s temporary exhibits by Turkish and international artists – often organized in collaboration with MoMA (New York) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris) – are particularly exceptional.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Istanbul , Marmara Region, Turkey[4.2 miles]
One of the world’s finest collections of Islamic-influenced glassware, rugs, ceramics, metal work and ethnographic items.
Best for ages: 18+ | £4
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.