Gorgeous Palace right on the waterfront. Looks like a long wedding cake, with a stunning arch/gate, The Sultan's Gate. Lovely fountain and statues of white lions in the gardens. Lots to see inside, including a Baccarat crystal staircase. It was used as a summer residence by Ataturk, and you can see the bedroom where he died, which has the Turkish... More

We went on a Saturday which may make the wait longer. They control the number of people waiting for tours at the line location and this further slows it up [we got there at 11:30 and didn't get in until 1:30.] The grounds outside of the palace and the views over the Bosphorous are lovely and free.

Dolmabahce Palace is a conveniently short walk along the waterfront from the tram terminus. Unless you arrive very early, be prepared to queue. They only let in the number of people (20-30) who can be shown round by one guide. Tours are in English or Turkish, so there are 2 queues.The good news is that because you are shown round... More

Dolmabahçe palace is a marvelous piece of architecture - the garden and buildings are just fantastic. I went there with some friends (one of them Turkisch citizen). At the entrance we needed to pay the ticket : 1. Turkisch citizens pay only 20 TL 2. Foreign citizens pay 40 TL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the [--] : Is this 2012 ???? I... More

I'd like to start this review by addressing some complaints of other reviewers. Most importantly, expect a long line to get a ticket. You will likely wait 1-2 hours so get there early, around 9-9:30 (tram stop is very close). And yes, you will be forced to enter the palace on a tour (less than 2 hours), without exception. This... More

This is a great trip out of the hustle and bustle of old Istanbul. It's easy to get here by tram followed by a bit of a walk. The palace itself is immaculate to every last detail. Once you get into the last reception room, don't forget to look up. The painting on the ceiling is a splendor. I loved... More

It is an amazing opulent palace next to the Bosphorus. The inside is just crammed with wonderful furniture, chandeliers, carpets and curiosities. There is so much gold and precious gems everywhere. it is a warren of hundreds of rooms all rich with mementoes of the lives of the people who lived here. The bed spread on Ataturks bed is fantastic,... More

DOLMABAHCE PALACE, to describe this wonderful palace will be quite difficult, here is the palace which clearly shows the power, the vastness and the impact the OTTOMAN EMPIRE had on the world. The palace is designed in baroque style, the sheer magnificence of the palace is completely breathtaking. The crystal staircase, the massive chandeliers, the marble structures, the red room,... More

The queues to get in are interminable: first you queue to buy your ticket (this can take hours and it is galling to arrive at the booth to find only one person selling, and explaining the details slowly over and over to each tourist); then you queue for your tour. There seems to be a charge to take in a... More