Beylerbeyi Palace stands on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, at the foot of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, in the Üsküdar district. Sultan Abdülaziz had it built between 1863 and 1865, on the site of a wooden palace of Mahmud II destroyed by fire. It served as a summer residence and as the State Guest House: Empress Eugénie and Emperor Franz Joseph stayed here in 1869. After he was deposed, Sultan Abdülhamid II spent his last six years here and died here in 1918. Smaller than Dolmabahçe, the palace has 24 rooms and 6 halls on three levels. The visit covers the main building, with its Mabeyn and Harem sections; allow about 1 hour, plus time for the garden.
Highlights
The palace rooms
The decoration blends Western and Eastern styles and follows the plan of the traditional Turkish house. The floors are covered with straw mats from Egypt, beneath Baccarat crystal chandeliers, with Hereke carpets, clocks and porcelain vases from China, Japan, France and Yıldız.
The façade on the Bosphorus
Seen from the water, the white palace lines up its façade and its two waterfront kiosks along the quay. It is one of the finest views on a [Bosphorus cruise](/fr/attractions/croisiere-sur-le-bosphore).
The terraced gardens
Linked by ramps and stairways, the gardens cover 70,000 m². Magnolias, chestnut trees, lindens and Judas trees were planted here under Abdülhamid II. The Marble Kiosk, the Yellow Kiosk, the stables and the waterfront kiosks are closed to visitors, but can be seen from the paths.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Palace ticket: 800 TL for foreign visitors; reduced rate of 100 TL for students aged 7 to 25 with their student card, with foreign students paying twice the reduced rate (200 TL) with an ISIC card. Gardens only: 100 TL. Free up to age 6. Prices checked in October 2026. The combined ticket for the palaces and pavilions of the Asian shore costs 1,050 TL. If you are also visiting [Dolmabahçe Palace](/fr/attractions/palais-de-dolmabahce), the 3,500 TL "Full Pass" covers both shores and is valid for one month. Tickets at the ticket desks or online on the official website of the National Palaces (Milli Saraylar), "Foreign Visitor" ticket.
How to get there
Beylerbeyi Mahallesi, Abdullah Ağa Caddesi No:12, Üsküdar, Istanbul. First get to [Üsküdar](/fr/attractions/uskudar) by ferry from Eminönü, Karaköy, Kabataş or Beşiktaş, or by Marmaray or metro M5. Then take bus 15 (Üsküdar–Beykoz) to the Beylerbeyi Sarayı stop, a few steps from the entrance.
Opening hours
Nearby
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