Topkapi Palace
(Topkapı Sarayı)
Topkapi Palace built in 1478 after Ottomans captured Istanbul. It is expanded day by day with additional buildings. It is converted to a museum in 1924. You can see where the Ottoman Emperors lived and managed the country here. You will love the view from the rooms since it is just in the edge of Old Town.
Location: Sultanahmet
Closed: Tuesdays
Yildiz Palace
(Yıldız Sarayı)
Yildiz Palace built in 1866. It was like a complex. There were pavilions, fountains, greenhouses, aviaries, workshops and service buildings.
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed: Mondays
Ciragan Palace
(Çırağan Sarayı)
Ciragan Palace built in 1871. It was used as an Ottoman Emperors house for 5 years. Also it is used as a council building in 1910 for some years. Unfortunately it became an hotel and you can see the palace from outside. But if you have time, even it is expensive, you can have time in the restaurant which is facing the great Bosporus.
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed: All Days Open (It is Hotel)
Kucuksu Pavilion
(Küçüksu Kasrı)
Kucuksu Pavilion built in 1752. It was used as an Ottoman Emperors daily resting house after horse riding. Also many visitors of the Ottoman Emperors are welcomed here. It was built where the Kucuksu river reaches the bosporus. The view is great.
Location: Beykoz
Closed: Mondays
Dolmabahce Palace
(Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
Dolmabahçe Palace built in 1855, in Ottoman age. Ottoman Emperors were staying in here. It is near the sea. Turkish leader Atatürk gave his last breathe here. Now it is a museum.
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed: Mondays
Beylerbeyi Palace
(Beylerbeyi Sarayı)
Beylerbeyi Palace built in 1832. There are several chalets inside. It was used for resting of Ottoman Emperor and his family. It is near the sea side.
Location: Üsküdar
Closed: Mondays
Ihlamur Pavilion
(Ihlamur Kasrı)
Ihlamur Pavilion built in 1791. It was used as an Ottoman Emperors daily resting house. Also it is known that there are many archery competitions made in this pavilion in the history. There are still old aim-stones inside. If you visit here, you can rest and have some drink in the cafe.
Location: Beşiktaş
Closed: Mondays
Aynalikavak Pavilion
(Aynalıkavak Kasrı)
Aynalikavak Pavilion built in 1613. It was Ottoman Emperors personal pavilion. There was a shipyard close to here and after long years, when the shipyard expanded, they became neighbours and started to known as Shipyard Pavilion. Ottoman Emperors rested here after ispecting the works in shipyard.
Location: Beyoğlu
Closed: Mondays