Private Tour: Palaces of Istanbul

Meet your professional guide for your private half day experience.
First, you will visit the Imperial Dolmabahce Palace, which was built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I. The facade stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus and was the last home of the Ottoman Sultans. The design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture to create a new synthesis. The exterior, in particular the view from the Bosporus, shows a classical European two-wing arrangement which is divided by a big avant-corps with two side avant-corps. Functionally, on the other hand, the palace retains elements of traditional Ottoman palace life, and also features of traditional Turkish homes.
Then, you will cross the Bosphorus Bridge to visit the Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian Side of the city, built by Sultan Abdul Aziz as a summer retreat. Ladies from the Topkapi Palace Harem would journey to the Beylerbeyi Palace to escape the heat and swim in the bathing pavilions.
At the end of your half day experience you will be transferred back to your hotel/ship.