Yıldız Park (Yıldız Parkı), in Beşiktaş, climbs a wooded hill between Çırağan Palace, on the Bosphorus shore, and Yıldız Palace, at the top. It was the outer garden of the palace where Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) lived and ruled for 33 years; today it is open to everyone and entry is free. Across about 37 hectares, paved paths climb between tall trees towards three late Ottoman pavilions: Malta, Çadır and Şale. Allow an hour and a half for the park, or half a day if you also visit Yıldız Palace.
Highlights
The park's paths
An imperial estate from the reign of Ahmed I (1603-1617), the hill is covered with tall trees, many of them exotic species: there are more than 120 plant species. The paved paths, fairly steep, link the lower entrance on Çırağan Caddesi with the pavilions and the palace. In spring, the municipality plants tulips here, as in the city's other large parks.
The Çadır Pavilion and its pond
Built under Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876), this small white pavilion is reflected in one of the park's two large ponds. A municipal restaurant and tea room from 1997 until it closed, it was still closed for restoration at the end of 2025, with no reopening date announced. The pond and its surroundings remain open.
The Şale Pavilion
A residence of Abdülhamid II, this wood and stone "chalet" was built in three stages: in 1877-1879 and in 1889 to designs by Sarkis Balyan, then in 1898 by Raimondo D'Aronco; both extensions were made to receive the German emperor Wilhelm II. It houses the Mother-of-Pearl Hall and a reception room covered by a carpet of more than 400 m². The pavilion has been closed to visitors for restoration since 20 February 2018; you can see it from the outside.
The Malta Pavilion
At the top of the park, this neo-baroque pavilion completed in 1870 by Sarkis Balyan for Abdülaziz takes its name from the Maltese stone that covers it. Its terrace looks out over the Bosphorus. The Istanbul municipality began a restoration in March 2025; the pavilion, long a restaurant, was still closed at the end of 2025.
Yıldız Palace
Behind the wall bordering the park, the last great palace built by the Ottomans in Istanbul reopened to the public on 20 July 2024, after about six years of restoration: the Great Mabeyn Pavilion, Çit Kasrı, the Small Mabeyn and the harem apartments. It is run by the National Palaces (Milli Saraylar): ticket 900 TL for foreign visitors, 175 TL for Turkish residents, 60 TL reduced, free for under-6s. The Müze Kart is accepted, except for the harem, the Hasbahçe and the Small Mabeyn. Closed on Wednesdays.
Infos pratiques
Tips
The park is on a slope: enter through the lower gate on Çırağan Caddesi, walk up to the Çadır and Malta pavilions, then come back down. Bring water and good shoes, as the pavilion cafés were closed at the end of 2025. Combine the walk with [Dolmabahçe Palace](/fr/attractions/palais-de-dolmabahce), towards Kabataş, or with [Ortaköy Mosque](/fr/attractions/mosquee-d-ortakoy), further north. Prices checked in October 2026.
How to get there
Main entrance on Çırağan Caddesi, opposite Çırağan Palace, Yıldız Mahallesi, 34349 Beşiktaş, Istanbul. Buses 22 and 22B from Kabataş (terminus of tram T1), 22RE from Beşiktaş, 40 and 40T from Taksim, Çırağan stop. From Beşiktaş pier (ferries from Kadıköy and Üsküdar), allow about 1 km on foot along Çırağan Caddesi towards Ortaköy.
Opening hours
Nearby
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