Discover the history, architecture, and lush gardens of Beylerbeyi Palace — a 19th-century Ottoman summer residence on the Bosphorus. Includes visiting hours, ticket prices, and public holiday details.
Beylerbeyi Palace: A Summer Residence on the Bosphorus
The Beylerbeyi district and its surroundings have been used as a residential area since the Byzantine period. After various constructions in different historical periods, the wooden palace built during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II (1808–1839) was destroyed by fire. Subsequently, Sultan Abdülaziz commissioned the current palace and its annexes between 1863 and 1865. The main palace building, consisting of the Mabeyn (administrative section) and Harem (private quarters), is open to visitors. The Sea Pavilions, Yellow Pavilion, Marble Pavilion, and Stable Pavilion around the large pool in the upper terrace gardens are closed to the public.
Beylerbeyi Palace served as a summer residence and was especially used for hosting foreign dignitaries. Important guests included Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary (1869), Empress Eugénie of France (1869), Prince Nikola of Montenegro (1874), and Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. Sultan Abdülhamid II also spent the last six years of his life here after being deposed and passed away at the palace in 1918.
Blending various Western styles with Eastern elements, the palace’s interior architecture resembles a traditional Turkish house plan in terms of usage. The palace has three floors including the basement, with a total of 24 rooms and 6 halls. The floors are covered with mats brought from Egypt. Decorations include Hereke carpets, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, clocks made in England, France, and Istanbul’s Golden Horn Shipyard, and vases from China, Japan, France, Germany, and Turkey (Yıldız porcelain).
Annexes and Gardens of Beylerbeyi Palace
Marble Pavilion: Built between 1829–1832 by Sultan Mahmud II as a hunting lodge, this pavilion features a fountain and a pool. It gets its name from its marble exterior walls.
Yellow Pavilion: Located near the Marble Pavilion, one side of the Yellow Pavilion opens to a forested area while the other faces outward. Built on a basement and consisting of two floors, the pavilion is a unique example of its era with its ceiling decorations and interior design.
Stable Pavilion (Has Ahır): Situated beyond the Marble Pavilion, on the upper terrace of the palace gardens, this structure reflects the Ottoman Empire’s view on horse culture. The ceilings are adorned with images of horses and other animals. The stables have 20 sections in total, and horse-themed motifs appear in chandeliers and other decorative elements.
Palace Gardens: Extending upward and connected by stairs and ramps, the gardens of this 19th-century prestige structure now cover about 70,000 m². The magnolia and chestnut trees in the main garden, as well as the linden and iconic Bosphorus Judas trees (erguvan) in the terraces, were planted during Sultan Abdülhamid II’s reign.
Sea Pavilions: Built in pairs — one for the Mabeyn and one for the Harem (belonging to the Valide Sultan) — the Sea Pavilions are gazebo-like structures referred to in historical documents as "tent pavilions" or "nevresm pavilions" (new model). Their octagonal roofs are adorned with animal-themed paintings.
Visitor Information
Closed Day: Monday
Ticket Office Opening Hours: 09:00
Ticket Office Closing Hours: 17:00
Open/Closed Days on Holidays:
Ticket Prices
Note:
Museum Pass (Müze Kart) is valid in most sites under the Directorate of National Palaces, with some exceptions (e.g., Harem and Hagia Irene in Topkapı Palace, Selamlık in Dolmabahçe Palace, Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum, etc.).
Children under 6 and students aged 7–25 with a valid student ID benefit from discounted or free entry. International students must present a physical ISIC card.
