Khedive's Pavilion (Hıdiv Kasrı): Gardens and Bosphorus Views

Updated on October 8, 2026

META: The Khedive's Pavilion (Hıdiv Kasrı) in Çubuklu: a 1907 Art Nouveau palace, rose garden, café and Bosphorus views. History, access and visiting tips. The Khedive's Pavilion (Hıdiv Kasrı) is an Art Nouveau villa perched on a hill in Çubuklu, in the Beykoz district, on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. It was built in 1907 for Abbas II Hilmi, the last khedive of Egypt, as a summer residence, to plans by the Italian architect Antonio Lasciac, with Delfo Seminati. The building, recognisable by its square tower, is surrounded by a wooded park known for its rose garden. The City of Istanbul bought it in 1937; after restoration it reopened in 1984 and is now run by the metropolitan municipality, with a restaurant and a café. Allow one to two hours.

Highlights

The square tower

The villa is recognisable from afar by its white tower, visible from the waters of the Bosphorus above the trees. The architecture mixes Art Nouveau with Ottoman neoclassical elements, with an Italian Renaissance villa inspiration.

The Çubuklu hill

Seen from the opposite shore, the wooded hill overlooks the wooden houses of the coast, facing the European side. See also the Bosphorus villages, Asian shore.

The gardens and rose garden

The park is known for one of Istanbul's largest rose gardens, and hosts spring events, including tulip displays in April: see the Istanbul Tulip Festival.

The café terrace

You can have tea or breakfast with a view of the strait, and the terraces are one of the main assets of the place.

Practical info

Tips

The site is municipal property that also serves as a reception venue: on some days (weddings, private events), access may be limited, so check before you go. The park entry fee could not be confirmed from an official source at the date of this page; only the café-restaurant's consumptions are certainly paid. Bring shoes for the sloping paths. To extend your day on this shore, visit the Küçüksu Pavilion or the Beylerbeyi Palace, or compare with the other Ottoman palaces of Istanbul.

How to get there

Hıdiv Kasrı, Çubuklu, Beykoz, Istanbul. The simplest way is to reach the Asian side (Üsküdar by Marmaray or ferry), then take a taxi or a bus towards Çubuklu: check the latest route before leaving. The hill is served by road, and the trip from the centre of the Asian side takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Opening hours

Best: April or late afternoon

According to information published by Time Out Istanbul, the site is open daily from 9am to 11pm, with entry until 10pm; these hours could not be confirmed on the municipality's official site on 8 October 2026: check before visiting.