Neoclassical grandeur meets Ottoman art in Dolmabahçe Palace, the largest palace in Turkey. Located on the Bosphorus strait on the coast of Istanbul, Dolmabahçe was the center of Ottoman politics and imperial life between its completion in 1956 until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1922.
In contrast to Topkapı, which embraced the natural landscape and was essentially a complex of buildings and pavilions, Dolmabahçe Palace was built as a mono-block, with its main gate facing away from the Bosphorus.The entire palace is opulent and extravagant, boasting 285 rooms and 44 halls, in addition to bathrooms and hammam, or Turkish baths. It was a combination of Rococo, Neoclassical, and Baroque styles, in addition to Ottoman tradition.
The now-lost Walls of Galata live on in Galata Tower, a cylindrical sentinel looking out over Beyoglu, Istanbul. Now a museum, this Genoese-inspired structure is one of the oldest towers in the world, and the tallest building in the city for centuries.
Its viewing balcony offers panoramic views of bustling Istanbul; the museum is home to artifacts that exhibit the history of the city from prehistoric times to now. Built in 1348 as a reconstruction of Emperor Justinian’s original tower in Galata, the now-iconic tourist destination is evidence of centuries of enthralling history, and is itself an artifact from a different time.
The Bosphorus is a must-see symbol of Istanbul with its bays, seaside mansions and castles thanks to its unique aspect that separates Europe and Asia.
Beylerbeyi Palace is one of the favorites of travelers, while catching Beylerbeyi Palace among the many manors on the Asian coast, Bosphorus Cruise and City Sightseeing tour that allows you to enjoy the magnificent architecture of Dolmabahçe and Çıra Decan Palaces on the European side.If you are planning to spend a full day exploring the Bosphorus from south to north, we are waiting for you at our hotel for a Bosphorus Trip that allows you to see the more peaceful parts filled with natural colors.
Kapalı Çarşı is the secret mother of all shopping centers—this indoor labyrinth, with its 64 alleys and approximately 4,000 stores, is over 500 years old. Don’t be put off by cheap imports; it’s well worth exploring the Grand Bazaar in search of true treasures that can be found nowhere else in the world. Visitors will find antiques as well as modern jewelry, carpets, fabrics, silver, gold, jewels. As the saying goes, “seek and ye shall find.” At Kapalı Çarşı, seeking is pure fun!
OPENING TIMES: Mon–Sat 9 am to 7 pm
The intricately tiled Blue Mosque in Istanbul is a living monument to the Ottoman Empire, whose powerful, fascinating history is built into the very foundations of the mosque’s 400-plus-year-old facade.
The best of Byzantine architecture is on full display at the Hagia Sophia Mosque Located in the historic center of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is one of the world’s greatest cultural and historical sites, representing more than a millennium of civilization.
The heart of Istanbul remains its fascinating Old City, home to some of the most historic sites of this vibrant megapolis. Dramatically located on a peninsula pointing across the Bosphorus Strait to Asia, Sultanahmet was formerly the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
The extraordinarily opulent Topkapı Palace is home to some of the most fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire. As the main royal residence between its completion in the 1460s to the construction of the Dolmabahçe Palace in the mid-19th century, it has borne witness to some of the most colorful and questionable figures of the Empire.
Zorlu Center, Turkey's first 5-function mixed-use project located at the junction of two continents, is the center of attraction of Istanbul. Zorlu Center offers a privileged life experience in Istanbul by hosting the Shopping Center, which hosts exclusive restaurants and world-famous brands, the largest Performing Arts Center in Turkey and the region, Raffles Istanbul, a modern office and residence concept. We recommend that you enjoy this shopping center, which is located about 10 minutes away.
