Beylerbeyi Palace in Istanbul: History and Visitor Guide

Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman summer palace on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, in the Beylerbeyi neighbourhood of Uskudar, just north of the Bosphorus Bridge. Built for Sultan Abdulaziz in 1861-1865, it was used as a summer residence and as a guesthouse for foreign kings, queens and heads of state.

Smaller and less crowded than Dolmabahce, it is a pleasant half-day visit with lavish interiors, a terraced garden and seaside pavilions. This guide covers its history, what to see inside and how to get there.

History of Beylerbeyi Palace

The palace stands on a site that was a grove in the Byzantine period, known as the Istavroz Gardens. Earlier Ottoman wooden palaces stood here before Sultan Abdulaziz commissioned the present stone building, designed by architects of the Balyan family, the dynasty behind many 19th-century Ottoman palaces and mosques.

Beylerbeyi was built for the summer months and for hosting royal guests. Among its most famous visitors was Empress Eugenie of France, who stayed here in 1869. Sultan Abdulhamid II spent the last years of his life at the palace and died here in 1918.

The palace continued to host state guests in the Republican era, including Reza Shah Pahlavi of Iran, whose 1934 visit to Turkey brought him to Istanbul as Ataturk's guest.

Architecture and what to see inside Beylerbeyi Palace

The palace blends Western and Eastern styles. From the outside it looks like a European palace, but the layout follows the plan of a traditional Turkish house, divided into the Harem (private family quarters) and the Mabeyn (the men's and official quarters). In total the building has six large halls and 24 rooms, along with a hammam.

Inside, look out for:

• the elaborate wood carving and gilded decoration on the ceilings;
• the reception hall with a pool and fountain, designed to keep the rooms cool in summer;
• crystal chandeliers, Bohemian glass and Hereke carpets;
• views of the Bosphorus from almost every window.

In the terraced garden behind the palace are smaller pavilions, and on the water two small seaside pavilions frame the facade. If you enjoy Ottoman palaces, compare it with Dolmabahce Palace across the water, or read our overview of palaces and pavilions in Istanbul.

Visiting Beylerbeyi Palace

Tickets and opening hours

Beylerbeyi Palace is run by the National Palaces administration, and visits to the interior are usually on a set route. Entrance fees and opening hours change, so check them on the official website before you go. Photography rules inside can also be strict.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about an hour for the palace and some extra time for the garden.
• The cafe in the palace garden is a lovely spot for tea facing the Bosphorus.
• Combine the visit with a walk through the village of Beylerbeyi or nearby Kuzguncuk.
• Head south to Uskudar afterwards for views of the Maiden's Tower.

How to get to Beylerbeyi Palace

• From the European side: take a ferry or the Marmaray train to Uskudar, then a bus or taxi north along the coast road to Beylerbeyi.
• By taxi: cross the Bosphorus Bridge; the palace is just beyond its Asian end.
• By boat: Beylerbeyi has a pier, and it is one of the boarding points for private yacht cruises.

Seeing Beylerbeyi Palace from the Bosphorus

The palace was designed to be seen from the sea, and its long white facade is one of the highlights of any cruise. Many visitors combine a visit on land with a trip on the water. Our Istanbul Bosphorus guide describes the other landmarks along the shore.

For a closer look at the palaces and historic waterside mansions, consider a Bosphorus mansions (yali) cruise, or book a private Bosphorus yacht cruise boarding right at the Beylerbeyi pier.

Frequently asked questions

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