Istanbul Guide

DOLMABAHÇE PALACE

OZGUR GUVENC/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

DON’T MISS ¨ ¨ Selâmlık ¨ ¨ Harem

This 19th-century residence with its formal garden and waterside location marks a final flourish of the imperial dynasty and is a clear crowd favourite. Entered via an ornate imperial gate, the palace is divided into three sections: the over-the-top Selâmlık (Cer emonial Quarters), the slightly more restrained Harem and the Veliaht Dairesi (Apartments of the Crown Prince), now home to the National Palaces Painting Museum (p 150). The Selâmlık and Harem are visited on a compulsory – and dreadfully rushed – combined guided tour; the Veliaht Dairesi can be visited independently. The tourist entrance to the palace is near the ornate Clock Tower, built between 1890 and 1894. There’s an outdoor cafe nearby with premium Bosphorus views and reasonable prices. Note that visitors to the palace are limited to 3000 per day and this ceiling is often reached on weekends and holidays. Come midweek if possible, and even then be pre pared to queue (often for long periods and in full sun). If arriving before 3pm, you must buy a joint ticket for the Selâmlık and Harem; after 3pm you can visit only one. The Selâmlık, with its huge chandeliers and crystal staircase made by Baccarat, is the more impressive of the two. Note that admission to the palace is not covered by the Museum Pass İstanbul.

¨ ¨ National Palaces Painting Museum

PRACTICALITIES ¨ ¨ Dolmabahçe Sarayı ¨ ¨ Map p162, A5 ¨ ¨ % 0212-327 2626 ¨ ¨ www.millisaraylar. gov.tr ¨ ¨ Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Beşiktaş ¨ ¨ adult Selâmlık ₺30, Harem ₺20, joint ticket ₺40 ¨ ¨ h 9am-4pm Tue, Wed & Fri-Sun ¨ ¨ j Kabataş