Dolmabahçe Palace Tour Guide

【Introduction】: Dolmabahçe Palace, built in the mid-19th century during the Ottoman Empire, is a palace that combines Baroque and Neoclassical styles and is also known as the "New Palace." It is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus Strait, with the complex stretching 600 meters along the strait, covering an area of 15,000 square meters, containing 285 rooms and 43 halls. Its grandeur reflects the former glory and wealth of the Ottoman Empire. 🕘【Opening Hours】: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, last admission at 5:00 PM, ticket office closes at 5:00 PM. Closed every Monday, New Year's Day, the first day of Ramadan, and the first day of Eid al-Adha. 💴【Ticket Price】: 1800 Turkish Lira per person. Prices for Turkish attractions fluctuate significantly; this price is for reference only and subject to the actual ticket price on the day. ⛺【Activities】: It is recommended to reserve at least 2 hours for the visit to appreciate the palace scenery in detail. Ceremonial Palace: The Ceremonial Palace is the first area to visit after entering the palace. It includes the reception hall, waiting rooms, rooms for confidential meetings with government officials, and displays Turkish carpets, crystal chandeliers, ivory decorations, and more. The staircase hall is very famous, featuring a "crystal staircase" with crystal handrail pillars and a chandelier weighing 2.5 tons hanging from the ceiling. The Sultan's coronation ceremony was once held here. Harem and Concubine Quarters: The harem occupies most of the northern part of the palace and is off-limits to men except the Sultan and princes. The rooms in the harem are decorated according to the preferences of the concubines, each with a unique style. Additionally, the room where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his final moments is here, with the clock on the wall forever stopped at 9:05, the time of his death. After visiting the Ceremonial Palace and the Harem, if time permits, you can also visit the Crystal Palace and the Clock Museum. Moreover, the palace has a 160-meter-long pier along the Bosphorus Strait, where you can enjoy views of the opposite shore. 🚌【Transportation Tips】: From Sultanahmet District: Take the T1 tram for 7 stops to Kabataş station, then walk 4 minutes to reach the palace. From Taksim Square: Walk about 10 minutes to the Fındıklı Mimar Sinan Üniversitesi tram station, take the T1 tram for 3 stops to Kabataş station, then walk 4 minutes to the palace. From the Asian side at Kadıköy: Take the ferry from Kadıköy ferry terminal to Beşiktaş, then walk 9 minutes to Dolmabahçe Palace. 👉【Itinerary】: Walking distance from Taksim Square is about 1.2 km, and about 2.5 km to Galata Tower. 🧡【Preparation】: Photography Rules: Photography is generally prohibited inside the palace, and guards supervise this. Flash should be turned off during the visit to protect the fabrics and paintings inside the palace. Dress Code: There is no strict dress code, but since the palace requires long walks, comfortable shoes are recommended. Audio Guide: It is advisable to download the related audio guide app in advance, as the palace walls are thick and internal Wi-Fi signals are usually weak. Istanbul · Istanbul Province Dolmabahçe Palace Taksim Square Galata Tower