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Dolmabahçe Palace & Harem Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide

Dolmabahçe Palace entrance with ornate architecture, Istanbul.
Crystal staircase and chandelier in the Ceremonial Hall, Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul.
Sufera Hall interior with ornate columns and luxurious furnishings, Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey.
Dolmabahçe Palace Harem exterior with garden and palm tree in Istanbul.

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Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

Mobile ticket

4.6/5

(1,321)

Kim Clark

Kim

May 2025
Verified booking
The castle is beautiful, it is also enormous. Attention to detail is everywhere. I would have really liked to have seen the bedrooms and also the kitchen. We saw many grand rooms that were adorned with fantastic crystal chandeliers. It is mind boggling to think of someone actually living here
lidia marchina

Lidia

Mar 2025
Verified booking
Perfect site, we purchased tickets for various attractions, skip the line really effective, regarding this attraction we were accompanied by the guide to the entrance of the harem, and he also consgliato us how to visit the site to best grasp its caratterisrtiche At the purchase I had a problem with paypal which headout solved within 10 min Highly recommended
Ashante Marie Timoll

Ashante

May 2025
Verified booking
Dolmabahce Palace was such a grand experience. Just to think of all of the history and imagine how all the people who walked those halls and corridors lived life was a lot of fun. So much history. I loved it.
    • This ticket gives you skip-the-line access to Dolmabahçe Palace, including the grand ceremonial rooms, the Harem, and more, along with a multilingual audio guide.

    • Stroll through the stunning rooms, as the audio guide delves into stories of the sultans who once lived here, the palace’s role in shaping Ottoman history, and the lavish ceremonies held in the Ceremonial Hall.

    • With the audio guide in 10 languages, you can discover the palace at your own pace in your preferred language, making the experience as immersive and personalized as you like.

    • Want to see more of Istanbul? Upgrade your ticket to include a scenic 90-minute Bosphorus cruise, complete with audio commentary on the city’s most iconic waterfront landmarks.

    • Did you know that the Dolmabahçe Palace is home to the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier? Weighing in at over 4.5 tons, this sparkling masterpiece was a gift from Queen Victoria of England!

    • Skip-the-line entry to Dolmabahçe Palace (all-day access)

    • Entry to the Selamlık section (official quarters and ceremonial halls)

    • Entry to the Dolmabahçe Palace Gardens

    • Entry to the Dolmabahçe Palace Harem

    • 90-minute Bosphorus cruise (included with combo option)

    • Multilingual audio guide for both the Palace and the cruise, available in 10+ languages (cruise guide available with combo option)

    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off

    • Tour guide

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.6
    1,321 ratings
    5/5
    888
    4/5
    364
    3/5
    39
    2/5
    8
    1/5
    22
    • United States
    • Romania
    • Spain
    • United Kingdom
    • Bulgaria
    • Italy
    • France
    • Canada
    • Greece
    • Serbia
    Guests from United States, Romania, Spain and over 63 countries have loved this experience

    Maksim Fedotov

    Maksim

    May, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Dolmabahce looks much more interesting from the outside than Topkapi. There was a feeling of absolute emptiness in the old residence: neither on the street, nor inside, nor on the buildings themselves, there were absolutely no decorations, statues, moldings, in general, any decorations (except for marble-gilded hammams). Here, the buildings are decorated more strictly (in contrast to the absolutely chaotic development of the old complex) and at the same time intricate: a park with a geometric-style slope, fountains everywhere, a beautiful embankment and everything else -- wherever you stumble, you can find something interesting. After exploring the palace, we decided to wander around the neighborhood a little more, and suddenly we came across a gallery. I was very pleasantly surprised by the gallery. I can't understand why it's filled with so many cool paintings (from what I can remember: the entire Aivazovsky hall, several halls of the Barbizon School, halls dedicated to the history of the Ottoman Empire, plus many quite interesting paintings by Turkish authors), given that the ticket cost 30 euros, and the existence of this gallery was not advertised at all. At the same time, even without an audio guide, there was enough description in each room to appreciate paintings by artists and trends that you had never heard of. As a result, we spent much more time in the gallery than in the palace itself.
    Leonesa Petty

    Leonesa

    May, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    I absolutely loved the rich history and stunning architecture of both Dolmabahçe Palace and the Hagia Sophia. Walking through Dolmabahçe felt like stepping back into the time of the Ottoman sultans—the palace is incredibly ornate and offers insight into how the last Ottoman rulers lived. Hagia Sophia was just as impressive, with its incredible blend of Christian and Islamic history and breathtaking mosaics and domes. The stories behind both sites are fascinating, and I appreciated learning more through the tour. The only downside was the ticketing process. While the “skip the line” access was helpful for entry tickets, it didn’t apply to the security check. It would have been great if there was a separate fast-track lane for that too. Still, overall a great experience and definitely worth visiting!
    Asem Aref

    Asem

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Great experience we loved the palace and boat ride
    Vera Cecilia Castilho Storni

    Vera

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    Very quiet at the entrance, wonderful location
    Sonja Stoleska

    Sonja

    May, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Nice palace,nice cafeteria ,nice yard,not so clean
  • Explore the grandeur of Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace with skip-the-line entry, a multilingual audio guide, and an optional Bosphorus cruise.

    Journey through regal interiors

    Start your visit in the Medhal Hall, once used to receive important guests. Admire the sultans’ monograms on the fireplace and Boulle tables before heading up the striking crystal staircase to the Ceremonial Hall, home to one of the world's largest chandeliers and the royal seating box.

    Admire Ottoman art and symbolism

    Walk through the palace’s 285 rooms, stopping at the Tiled Room, which displays the largest painting in the palace. Visit the vivid Red Room, where Ottoman power and symbolism are reflected in bold colors and artwork.

    Explore the private world of the Sultans

    If you're passionate about literature or history, the palace's library is a must-see. Get a peek into the private lives of the sultans and their families in the Harem, and conclude your visit in the peaceful gardens with sweeping views of the Bosphorus Strait.

    See Istanbul from a new perspective

    Enhance your visit with a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise. Glide between two continents while listening to audio commentary about the landmarks lining Istanbul’s iconic waterfront—from Ottoman palaces to modern bridges.

  • Basilica Cistern

    Monday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Thursday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Friday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Saturday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Sunday09:00am - 10:00pmlast entry 06:30pm

    Dolmabache Palace

    MondayClosed
    Tuesday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Thursday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Friday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Sunday09:00am - 05:00pm
  • What to Bring

    • Bring a valid ID or passport to collect your audio guide. If you do not have one, a €200 refundable deposit must be left at the entrance and will be returned when you return the device at the exit.

    • Wear comfortable footwear, as you will spend a lot of time walking on marble floors and using staircases.

    • Choose modest clothing to respect the site's cultural and historical importance.

    What’s Not Allowed

    • Only the official audio guide provided with your ticket is accepted. Personal or third-party audio guides are not allowed.

    • Photography is not permitted inside, so please keep your camera packed away.

    Accessibility

    • The palace's ground floor is accessible for wheelchair users, but access to upper levels is limited.

    Additional Information

    • Your ticket lets you skip the main entry line, but all visitors must pass through security. In the busy summer months from June to August, the wait at security can be up to 30 minutes.

    • Tickets will be sent to your email one day before your visit. If you book on the same day, your ticket will be sent immediately. Check both your inbox and spam folder.

    • Guests with pre-booked tickets can enter the venue until 4 pm.

    • For a more relaxed visit, go on a weekday and arrive close to the 9 am opening time.

    • Exploring the Selamlık, Harem, and gardens usually takes between one and two hours. You may want to allow more time if you plan to visit additional exhibits or take breaks.

    • The palace café offers tea and snacks with views of the Bosphorus, and the gift shop has a selection of souvenirs to browse.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the attraction.

    • Please arrive at the attraction 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

    Ticket redemption point

    • Please check your final voucher for the ticket redemption details and specific instructions.

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