Istanbul - Dolmabahçe Palace (Museum)

From the southeast corner of Taksim Square in Istanbul Gümüssuyu Caddesi runs south and then turns northeast, passing institutes belonging to the University of Technology (on the left) and the Stadium (also on the left) to the Dolmabahçe district, with the Dolmabahçe Palace, a huge edifice in what is called Turkish Renaissance style built by Abdul Mecid in 1854, which was the main residence of the Sultans until 1918 and is now a museum; it is also used for important State visits.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

Dolmabahçe Palace / Museum

Also in this district are the clock-tower of the old Dolmabahçe Mosque (1853) and the Maritime Museum (Deniz Müzesi), standing a little to the northeast of the Dolmabahçe Palace at the landing-stage for Besiktas.

The formal garden are punctuated with fountains, ornamental basins and 19th century planting. There are tulips and violets for spring and red salvias in summer. A large collection of trees including monkey puzzle, Chinese fir and tall magnolia grandiflora. One of the garden pool is surrounded by a circle of lime trees.

Address: Dolmabahçe Palace, Besiktas, Istanbul , Turkey

Hours:

9:30am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Thu

Tips: Only 1,500 visitors a day are admitted to the museum, after which the desk closes; one-hour tours.