Located right under the Anatolian leg of the July 15 Martyrs Bridge (Bosphorus Bridge), Beylerbeyi Palace stands out with its elegant architecture, offering the magnificence of the Ottoman Empire in a calmer, more summery atmosphere. This place, where sultans bored with the formality of Dolmabahçe took a breath and foreign statesmen stayed with admiration, is the "coolest" palace in Istanbul.
Sultan Abdülaziz's Vision
Built between 1861 and 1865 by Sultan Abdülaziz, the palace bears the signature of the famous architect of the period, Sarkis Balyan. This was not just a summer house, but also a "state guest house" where the heart of international diplomacy beat. Names such as French Empress Eugénie and Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph were hosted here.
An interesting detail: Empress Eugénie was so fascinated by the windows of the palace that she had a copy drawn to have the same ones built at the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
The Only Palace with a Pool Inside
The most distinct feature that sets Beylerbeyi apart from others is the "Hall with the Pool" (Havuzlu Salon) on the ground floor. The tradition of pools built in Ottoman houses to provide coolness was carried to palace magnificence here with a giant marble pool.
The iconic Hall with the Pool designed to cool the palace on hot summer days.
Another surprise of the palace is the Blue Hall. In the structure, which consists of two main sections as "Harem" and "Selamlık", the ship rope motifs and sailor themes in the ceiling decorations reflect Sultan Abdülaziz's passion for the sea.
Tunnel and Bamboo Garden
The garden of the palace offers a unique Bosphorus view with its terraced structure. However, the real hidden hero here is the historical tunnel that connects Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi. This tunnel, built during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, is used today as a museum area and hosts various exhibitions.
Additionally, the Bamboo grove located on the upper terraces of the garden creates an exotic atmosphere rarely seen in Istanbul.
2026 Entrance Fees and Visitor Information
Beylerbeyi Palace is affiliated with the Directorate of National Palaces. Here is the current visitor information for 2026:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Ticket (Foreign) | 600 TL - 750 TL (Estimated) |
| Local Visitor | 70 TL - 100 TL (MuseumPass Valid) |
| Visiting Hours | 09:00 - 17:00 (Box office closes at 16:30) |
| Closed Day | Monday |
How to Get to Beylerbeyi Palace?
The palace is in the Üsküdar district on the Anatolian Side.
- By Ferry: You can cross from Beşiktaş or Eminönü to Üsküdar, and from there take buses going towards Beykoz such as 15, 15B, 15C, 15E. It is enough to get off at the "Beylerbeyi Sarayı" stop.
- By Metrobus: Get off at the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü stop and reach the palace by walking downhill for about 10-15 minutes.