Dolmabahce Palace Entry Fee, Tickets, History and Hours
Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the first Ottoman sultan who set foot in Istanbul, first built a palace in Beyazit (near the Grand Bazaar). He lived in this palace during the construction of Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet. The Topkapi Palace was designed by the Sultan as a meeting center where governmental affairs could be discussed and a school for future bureaucrats. Topkapi Palace, which consists of four large courtyards, reflected the traces of the Central Asian tradition of the Turks.
During the period when the Ottoman Empire was at its peak, the Ottoman sultans, who were mentioned most in history, lived in this palace. At the request of Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Harem in the Old Palace in Beyazıt was moved to the Topkapı Palace. Thus, the palace, where the sultan and his extended family lived, expanded to the shores of the Sea of Marmara. During this period, life was limited to Istanbul Historic Peninsula.
Bosphorus Coast Becomes Popular
By the 18th century, the Ottoman sultans had spent more time in palaces on the coast of Besiktas. Life, which was limited to the Historic Peninsula in the early period, began to spread towards the shores of the Bosphorus during this period. Especially districts like Beyoglu and Besiktas were developing rapidly.
The first Ottoman ruler, who never lived in Topkapi Palace after he became Sultan, was Mahmud II. The janissary rebellion, which resulted in the death of his father Selim III, left unpleasant memories in the mind of the young sultan.
Mahmud paved the way for reform and westernization in the Ottoman Empire. The Janissary army (Ottoman elite troops), which had lost its function, was removed and replaced by an army in the western order. Clothes and lifestyle were adapted to the modern world.
Who Built the Dolmabahce Palace?
The son of Sultan Mahmud, Sultan Abdulmecid, received a modern education. Abdülmecid, who ascended the throne at a time when the Ottoman Empire was in a great change, was closely following the developments in the world. Financial developments in the world have found their response in Istanbul and banks and insurance companies were opened one after the other. Investments made by Western businessmen in Istanbul were supported by Ottoman citizens, especially non-Muslims.
In the last century of the Ottoman Empire, the prominent figures of the capital sent their children to Paris for education. During this period of rapid westernization of the lifestyle, French became the second language. Ottoman citizens studying in Paris carried the western architectural style to Istanbul. The Balyan family, who had been a palace architect for a period in the 19th century, was brought up in the same way.
In the 1850s, Sultan Abdulmecid decided to build a new palace. the architects of the new palace would be members of the Balyan family. Nikogos Balyan and Garabet Balyan built a building using Neo-Classical and Baroque architectural styles. They also crowned the architecture of the building with Ottoman decoration elements.
The furniture used inside the Dolmabahce Palace was imported from France. The magnificent crystal chandeliers were brought from England. Talented masters and painters from Italy also decorated the walls of the palace. The infrastructure of the palace was equipped with the latest techniques of the 19th century.
Dolmabahce Palace Entrance Fee 2019
Dolmabahce Palace entry fee is 60 Turkish Liras as of 2019. It includes only the main section of the palace. If you want to see the harem section, you need to pay 40 Turkish Liras for extra ticket.
Dolmabahce Palace Tickets and Tour
Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most visited museums in Istanbul. Therefore there are long queues in front of the ticket offices. Before visiting the Dolmabahce Palace, you can book your fast track tickets online and take the guided tour.
This option may cost you more than regular tickets, but it saves you waiting in line for a long time. It is also recommended to visit the Dolmabahce Palace with a tour guide in order to fully understand the history of such a structure.
You can buy Dolmabahce Palace tickets at this link. The skip-the line tour is offered through getyourguide, which is an international company. You can cancel your tour of the dolmabahce palace up to 24 hours.
Dolmabahce Palace Entry Tickets
Dolmabahce Palace Opening Hours
Dolmabahce Palace is open from 9 am to 4 pm. Dolmabahce palace is closed for visits on Mondays and Thursdays. Although the main parts of the palace close at 4 pm, the pavilions, which are additional structures of the palace, can be visited until 5 o’clock.
Where is Dolmabahce Palace and How to Get There?
Dolmabahce Palace is located in one of the busiest points of Besiktas district. One of the main streets connecting Taksim Square and Besiktas coast passes in front of the palace. If you want to go to Dolmabahce Palace, it is enough to reach Kabatas which is one of the transportation centers of European Side.
You can go to Kabatas by tram from Sultanahmet and walk to the Dolmabahce Palace in only five minutes. To go to Dolmabahce Palace from Taksim, you need to go to Kabatas with the funicular. Visitors coming from Kadikoy and Uskudar on the Asian side should come to the ferry and Kabatas ferry port.