Frequently Asked Questions

Beylerbeyi Palace is a magnificent Ottoman imperial summer residence built between 1861 and 1865 by Sultan Abdülaziz. Located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul's Üsküdar district, it was designed by Armenian architects Agop and Sarkis Balyan. The palace features 26 rooms and 6 grand halls, blending Western neoclassical architecture with traditional Ottoman design.

Beylerbeyi Palace is located in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of the Üsküdar district, on the Asian side of Istanbul. It sits directly beneath the 15 July Martyrs Bridge (formerly the Bosphorus Bridge), right on the waterfront of the Bosphorus Strait. The address is: Beylerbeyi, Abdullahağa Cd., 34676 Üsküdar/İstanbul.

The palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz and constructed between 1861 and 1865. It was designed by the Armenian brothers Agop Balyan and Sarkis Balyan. It replaced an earlier wooden palace from 1829 that was destroyed by fire in 1851.

No, this is NOT the official website. This site is operated independently for informational and tourism purposes. For official information, please visit millisaraylar.gov.tr.

Admission fees vary by visitor category and are subject to change. For up-to-date pricing, please visit our tickets page. The Museum Pass is accepted.

Yes, you can purchase tickets online through our tickets page. Buying online allows you to skip the queue at the entrance. Tickets can also be purchased at the palace entrance on the day of your visit.

Yes, the Museum Pass (Müze Kart) is generally valid for entry to Beylerbeyi Palace along with many other national palaces and museums. We recommend confirming before your visit as policies may change.

Yes, combo tickets are available that combine entry to Beylerbeyi Palace with other national palaces such as Dolmabahçe Palace. These can offer significant savings and are available through our tickets page.

Certain national holidays and special occasions may offer free or discounted admission. Children under a certain age and visitors with disabilities may also qualify for free entry. Please check the official National Palaces website for current free admission policies.

Beylerbeyi Palace is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The last entry is at 4:30 PM. The palace is closed on Mondays. Hours may vary on public holidays.

We recommend planning approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a complete visit. This includes the guided palace tour (roughly 45 minutes), time to explore the gardens and pavilions, and a stop at the café or gift shop.

Photography is NOT permitted inside the palace rooms. However, you are welcome to take photos in the gardens, courtyards, and exterior areas. Tripods and professional photography equipment require special permission.

Weekday mornings are generally the quietest time. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) offer the most pleasant weather. Beylerbeyi Palace is generally less visited than Dolmabahçe Palace, so it's a great choice for a more intimate experience any time.

Yes, guided tours are available in Turkish and English, departing regularly throughout the day. Private tours can be arranged in additional languages (French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Russian). Audio guides are also available at the entrance for an additional fee.

Yes, there is a small café near the garden entrance where you can enjoy refreshments, Turkish tea, and light snacks. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs, books about the palace, and Ottoman-themed memorabilia.

Being a historic building, the palace's interior has stairs and uneven floors that may pose challenges for wheelchair users. However, the gardens, courtyards, and exterior areas are more accessible. We recommend contacting the palace administration in advance for specific accessibility needs.

Strollers may be difficult to maneuver inside the palace due to stairs and narrow passages. We recommend using a baby carrier for the indoor tour. Strollers can be used freely in the garden areas.

You can reach the palace by several means: By bus: Take buses 15, 15F, 15H, 15M, 15P, or 15T to the Beylerbeyi stop. By ferry: Take a ferry to Üsküdar pier, then a local bus or taxi to Beylerbeyi. By car/taxi: The palace is directly under the 15 July Martyrs Bridge on the Asian side. For detailed directions, see our Visitor Guide.

Limited parking is available near the palace entrance. Due to the palace's location beneath the bridge and along narrow streets, finding parking can be challenging, especially on weekends. We recommend using public transportation or taxis.