Beylerbeyi Palace

The Sultans' Summer Escape — on the Asian Shore

Most visitors to Istanbul cross the Bosphorus once, briefly, and spend most of their time on the European side. That's understandable — the major landmarks are there, the hotels are there, the tourist infrastructure is there. But it means most people miss Beylerbeyi Palace, which sits quietly on the Asian shore like a secret the city hasn't fully shared.

Beylerbeyi was built in 1865 as an imperial summer residence — the place the sultan retreated to when Dolmabahce felt too hot, too formal, too full of court obligations. Where Dolmabahce was designed to impress foreign ambassadors and demonstrate the empire's modernity, Beylerbeyi was built for pleasure and rest. The pace is different. The scale is more human.

It is also, by most accounts, more beautiful in its details. The carved marble, the inlaid wooden ceilings, the antique furnishings — everything here was chosen with the eye of someone who actually planned to live here, not just receive state visitors.

Why Visit Beylerbeyi Palace?

• One of the few Istanbul palaces that regularly has no significant queue — a rare thing in summer
• The ferry crossing from the European side is itself worth doing; the palace looks extraordinary from the water
• The architecture and interiors are as refined as Dolmabahce at perhaps a third of the visitor numbers
• The terraced garden with its two separate bathing pavilions is unique among Istanbul's imperial palaces
• The Asian-side location makes it a natural anchor for a full day exploring Üsküdar and the Bosphorus villages

History & Architecture

Sultan Abdülaziz commissioned Beylerbeyi in 1861, completing it in 1865. The architects were again from the Balyan family — Sarkis Balyan designed the main palace building in a style that blends Ottoman decoration with European neoclassical forms.

The palace served multiple purposes. It was a summer residence for the sultans and their households. It was also a guest palace — Empress Eugénie of France stayed here in 1869 on her way to the opening of the Suez Canal. Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was another guest. The Empress reportedly loved the palace so much that she had details of it incorporated into a French palace back home.

The palace also holds a darker chapter of Ottoman history. Sultan Abdülhamid II, deposed in 1909, spent the last years of his life under house arrest at Beylerbeyi. He died here in 1918.

Highlights You Shouldn't Miss

The Main Reception Rooms: Six principal rooms on the ground floor, each with its own personality. Look for the crystal chandeliers, the Hereke silk carpets, and the European-influenced furniture that fills every surface.

The Polar Bear Pelt Collection: A genuine curiosity — Tsar Alexander II of Russia gifted polar bear pelts to Sultan Abdülaziz, and they remain in the palace today as floor coverings. It is the last thing you expect to see in an Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus.

The Bathing Pavilions: Two separate marble bathing houses (for the Sultan and the Valide Sultan/imperial women) sit in the terraced garden. Their carved marble interiors are among the finest examples of Ottoman decorative stonework in Istanbul.

The Garden Terrace: The upper terrace looks directly across the Bosphorus to the European shore. On a clear day, with the domes and minarets of Istanbul on one side and the forested hills of the Asian shore behind you, it is a view that earns its own journey.

Visitor Information

• 📍 Location: Beylerbeyi neighbourhood, Üsküdar district, Asian side of Istanbul
• 🕒 Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday–Sunday 09:00–16:00. Closed Monday & Thursday
• 🎟️ Ticket price: Approx. €10–18
• 🚋 Getting there: Ferry from Beşiktaş, Eminönü, or Karaköy to Üsküdar, then taxi (5 min) or bus to Beylerbeyi. Alternatively, cross the Bosphorus Bridge by taxi from the European side.

Best Time to Visit

Beylerbeyi is quieter than Istanbul's major palaces at almost any time of year, but weekday mornings in spring and autumn are as good as it gets. The light on the Bosphorus in April and October is particularly beautiful, and the garden is at its best with the season's greenery. Avoid summer weekend afternoons when tour groups from the European side tend to arrive.

Insider Tip

Don't take a taxi directly to the palace from the European side. Instead, take the ferry from Beşiktaş to Üsküdar. As you approach the Asian shore, you'll see Beylerbeyi Palace directly ahead on your right — white marble rising from the waterline, the hills of Anatolia behind it. This is how the sultans arrived, by imperial caique, and the view makes the whole visit feel different before you've even stepped ashore.

FAQ

Is Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian or European side of Istanbul? The Asian side — in the Üsküdar district, specifically the Beylerbeyi neighbourhood. Crossing the Bosphorus to reach it is a genuine part of the experience and takes only 20–25 minutes by ferry.

Can you combine Beylerbeyi Palace with other Asian-side attractions? Yes. Beylerbeyi pairs well with a walk through Üsküdar's old bazaar streets, a visit to the Maiden's Tower (visible from the palace garden), or continuing along the Asian Bosphorus shore to Küçüksu Pavilion further north.

Is Beylerbeyi Palace family-friendly? Yes — the shorter tour format and garden areas work well for families. The polar bear pelts in particular tend to fascinate younger visitors. The guided tour lasts around 1–1.5 hours, which is manageable for most children.

Is photography allowed at Beylerbeyi Palace? Photography inside the palace rooms is generally restricted. The garden and exterior can be photographed freely. Confirm current rules on arrival as policy can change.