Dolmabahce Palace Tour in Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Delve into Ottoman luxury on this 3-hour guided Dolmabahçe Palace tour in Istanbul, plus head over the Bosphorus Bridge to see the Asian side of the city. Prepare yourself for pure extravagance as you visit the home of former sultans and nobility. See its elegant rooms such as the Crystal Staircase and Medhal Hall. Then, climb to Yeditepe or Çamlıca Hill and snap postcard-worthy photos from one of the best view points of the city.
- Admire the palace’s Ottoman and European architecture before stepping inside
- Explore Dolmabahçe Palace’s public rooms including the Crystal Staircase and the Medhal Hall
- Learn about Mustafa Atatürk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey, who lived and died in the palace
- Cross Bosphorus Bridge by luxury coach and enjoy panoramic city views from Çamlıca Hill or Yeditepe
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Local guide
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Meet your guide at your centrally located Istanbul hotel, then hop aboard your air-conditioned coach and cruise to Dolmabahçe Palace. During your drive, learn how this palace was one of the final palaces constructed by the Ottoman Empire. Arrive and admire this ornate blend of European and Ottoman architecture that rests along the banks overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.
Step into the palace and discover eye-popping rooms that once hosted sultans and their royal guests. Alongside your guide, stroll into pristine marble rooms and gaze up at twinkling crystal chandeliers.
As you wander down the Medhal Hall, gain insight about Mustafa Atatürk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey. Hear how all the clocks in the palace were set at 9:05am, the approximate time the exalted Atatürk passed away. Then, see the Crystal Staircase and imagine the aristocrats that once sauntered along its red carpets.
Following the palace tour, pop back into your coach and voyage across the iconic Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe to Asia. Then, depending on traffic on the day of your tour, cruise up to either Yeditepe or Çamlıca Hill. At either location, enjoy marvelous views of the cityscape and gather friends and family to snap photos. Finally, cruise back to your hotel, on the European side, where your tour ends.
Special note: On Mondays and Thursdays Dolmabahçe Palace is closed and will be swapped with Eyüp, Miniatürk and Pierre Loti Coffee House.
Step into the palace and discover eye-popping rooms that once hosted sultans and their royal guests. Alongside your guide, stroll into pristine marble rooms and gaze up at twinkling crystal chandeliers.
As you wander down the Medhal Hall, gain insight about Mustafa Atatürk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey. Hear how all the clocks in the palace were set at 9:05am, the approximate time the exalted Atatürk passed away. Then, see the Crystal Staircase and imagine the aristocrats that once sauntered along its red carpets.
Following the palace tour, pop back into your coach and voyage across the iconic Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe to Asia. Then, depending on traffic on the day of your tour, cruise up to either Yeditepe or Çamlıca Hill. At either location, enjoy marvelous views of the cityscape and gather friends and family to snap photos. Finally, cruise back to your hotel, on the European side, where your tour ends.
Special note: On Mondays and Thursdays Dolmabahçe Palace is closed and will be swapped with Eyüp, Miniatürk and Pierre Loti Coffee House.
1
Dolmabahce Palace
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Bosphorus Bridge (Pass By)
2
Camlica Hill
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Please note: When reconfirming your booking, your local supplier will advise you on alternative meeting points for hotels which are not accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
3.5
based on 52 reviews
Akidat_G, Apr 2024
The tour was amazing. The guide was informative and very good with what she told us about the palace.
EdMarvin_C, Sep 2023
Amazing Dolmabahce Palace. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything we ask about the palace.The only problem is that, no picture taking is allowed inside the Palace.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
thank you for your travel with us
loom forward to see you again
all the best
haytham_t, Aug 2023
The tour was well organized. The tour guide (mr. Aykot) was informative and friendly, and very respectful and accommodating.
The attraction itself was outstanding.
What a visit 👍
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your valuable comment
look forward to see you in istanbul again
lamiar_j, Jun 2023
Never ever book with this tour , i had to leave in the middle and did not even visit the palace , the guide is very rude , i was thinking we will stop somewhere to eat ,they took us to some miserable restaurant where there was no proper food only snacks then when i asked for his help he blamed me and when i said i’m leaving he said by by
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hello,
Your tour was on the 1st. Trafficwise the tour was operated as Çamlıca Hill & Dolmabahçe Palace.
Your tour was a half day tour "without" lunch. However, you went and sit at Mavera Cafe at Çamlıca Hill and ordered a meal for yourself which took 20-25 minutes to be prepared. Your professional guide told you that there is no time for lunch you replied lunch was included in your tour. He insisted that it was time to leave to Dolmabahçe Palace but unfortunately you were having your meal. There were 10 more guests in the same tour and guide left Çamlıca Hill with a report signed by all other guests. If you like we can share it with you?
We are sorry but your blame is not acceptable.
It was your own joice not to visit Dolmabahçe Palace and stay for lunch at Çamlıca Hill. It was not a private tour but a regular one.
Thank you
Dora_R, Jul 2022
Dolmabahce Palace - magnificent place to visit and so much to see!! Our tour guide was amazing.👏 We had a great time !! ❤❤
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you so much for your beautiful sharing.
Hope to host you and your friends inTurkey again :)
Yanyan_H, Oct 2019
Didn’t receive any communication regarding meeting time although both my email address and contact number were provided and the only time indicated on the voucher is NOT the meeting/pick up time at hotel. As a result we missed the tour and had to negotiate for a refund. Have to say other providers I tried did way better in these advanced notices.
We went to visit the palace ourselves with audio guide instead. The palace itself is beautiful and worth the time!
Sowjanya_R, Aug 2019
It was one hour late by the time we went to the palace...due to pickups and traffic issues.
The guide went through the tour at a very fast pace. Didn’t have time to enjoy. We were rushing past to make up for the lost time.
Natalie_F, Aug 2019
Use another tour provider! I paid to be picked up and had to pay for a cab to the meeting location. I paid for an English tour and I (solo) was put with a primarily Spanish-speaking group so 60% of the tour was in Spanish which means what information that was given in English was basic. How unfair that 60% of the tour wasn't available to me...I didn't pay 40% of the price! Take the audio tour instead.
Mazen_F, May 2019
The only good thing about the tour was that we did not get to stand in line for the tickets. But the guide left us alone with some electronic device to tour the palace. We book these tours for the human interaction. We could have bought the tickets and downloaded an audio guide ourselves.
Transportation to the site was very bad too. We departed from our hotel to a meeting point to join with another group in another bus. A completely unnecessary trip considering the time and distance covered.
Overall, great palace but you'd be better served if you can get the tickets yourself.
Patricia M, Aug 2018
Thank you Viator for the unique experience of visiting Dolmabahce Palace. It was not on our tour and yet it is one of the highlights of Istanbul.
Lara, Dec 2017
My sister and I had a wonderful experience ! The tour was amazing and the guide BORA was so cultivated and spoke a perfect english that made the tour more interesting.
Everything was on time with no delay . Would highly recommend it !
Charles R, May 2016
Thanks to our amazing tour guide the whole trip was excellent, he held our attention and kept a good flow of interest, information and good spirits throughout the trip.
sumerixmj, Feb 2016
This was very interesting. The guide gave us a real look into the past and the wealth and power of the sultans.
Susan G, Feb 2016
This tour was wonderful the guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour. The Palace is incredible and the view spectacular!
Phillip O, Sep 2015
A very well organised afternoon with a Hotel pickup to join the tour a central location. Our guide was very informative and the tour of Palace well organised given the number of visitors. Our return to our Hotel was another tour of the city as there were many drop offs and ours was the last. A good afternoon.
Guillermito, Aug 2015
Although it is expensive, it is excellent. I recommend this trip around the city. You can visit place as Galata Tower and Taksim Square.
Henry W, Apr 2015
Our hotel was about 1 mile or so from the palace, but we were picked up and driven clear across town to a meeting point and then back again to the palace. With traffic it took 2 hours. Then since we were late we were rushed through the tour. Skipped the ride over the bridge to Asia since we were so late and with traffic at a crawl we thought it would be several more hours before we would get back. Our tour guide was good and did his best in the bad situation.
Anne M, Nov 2014
Well worth a visit. Still mostly furnished so able to see how the last sultans actually lived [ Topkapi Palace older and also very interesting but more of a museum]. Also lovely setting on the Bosphorous. Very good guide and hotel transfers went smoothly. Not enough time to see much of the harem unfortunately but otherwise excellent tour.
Ye_S, Oct 2014
More than excellent. Had a grt time!! Recommended!
roua h, Oct 2014
very long route taken to reach the place in so much traffic
the tour in the palace didn't include the harem area which is the most important part of the palace
Sandra B, Apr 2014
Well organised, prompt pick-up and very informative guide, however, too much time spent at Camlica Hill - nobody interested in taking a coffee break and everyone just hung around the carpark waiting for their return trip.
bob, Jun 2013
Actual tour of palace was 45 minutes and view from Asia side 20 minutes the other 3 hrs was spent in a bus in traffic. The tour was suppose to be in English but the quide did it in English and German and was not able to be heard. Very dissappointing would not use company again.
Fauzi Adnan, May 2013
Our guide, Osman, was full of energy and knowledge of the palace. Entertained us with stories of the past. A must visit place in Istanbul.
Sabaruddin S, May 2013
The tourist guide is full of knowledge,he explain everything and we understand each of it.
ammar h, Apr 2013
The tour guide wasn't that good. he was impatient and not very informative.
Martha W, Mar 2013
Tour guide was a bit rude, started the tone of our tour by telling group he only says things one time so we needed to listen carefully. One couple asked him a question and he replied by saying "I already told you that". Group was too large to reap benefits of tour. If you were at the rear of the group, you missed what the guide was explaining and lord help you if you asked a question. I would not recommend this tour company because of this particular guide they employ.
Birgit K, Oct 2013
Der Dolmabahce Palast ist definitiv eine Besichtigung wert. Allerdings werden die Besuchergruppen (eine individuelle Besichtigung scheint nicht möglich zu sein) ziemlich schnell durchgeschleust. Unser Führer hat aus der Situation das beste gemacht und uns soviel wie möglich zu den einzelnen Räumen erzählt (deutsch und englisch). Die Gruppe war ziemlich gross, so dass es nicht immer einfach war, alles mitzubekommen.
Es wäre schön gewesen, wenn wir nach der Führung durch den Palast mehr Zeit gehabt hätten, draussen Fotos zu machen (im Palast selber ist Fotografieren nicht erlaubt).
Die Fahrt zum Camlica-Hügel über die Bosporusbrücke ging relativ schnell (es war Sonntag, daher nicht ganz so viel Verkehr). Die Aussicht dort ist schön, hat meinen Erwartungen (geweckt durch diverse Beschreibungen in Reiseführern und von Touranbietern) nicht entsprochen.
Leider wird durch die Abholung der Gäste an den diversen Hotels ziemlich viel Zeit verloren, in unserem Fall über eine Stunde. Es ist zwar bequem, am Hotel abgeholt zu werden, zeitlich gesehen, wäre es meiner Meinung nach aber besser, einen zentralen Treffpunkt anzugeben.
Insgesamt gesehen, hat sich die Tour gelohnt, es gibt aber Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten.
Francisco G, Aug 2013
Satisfactoria. El único inconveniente es que desde que te recogen en el hotel, hay que hacer siempre un par de cambios de autobuses en uno o más puntos de encuentro, con la consiguiente pérdida de tiempo.
Saludos cordiales
christine d, Aug 2013
Visite Dolmabahce correcte mais l'arrêt au café de Camlica Hill est nul. La vue qui a
DOUNIA B, Jul 2013
Bonne prise en charge ,très bon guide.
A recommander.
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