Istanbul Half Day Morning Dolmabahce Palace Tour
Start your morning with a journey through the grandeur and history of Istanbul. This half-day tour takes you inside the opulent Dolmabahce Palace, once the residence of Ottoman sultans and a symbol of the empire’s final era. Drive across the iconic Bosphorus Bridge and find yourself between two continents in minutes. Take in breathtaking views from Asian Hill and Pierre Loti Hill, then enjoy a peaceful descent by cable car. End the experience with a scenic drive along the ancient City Walls and a short stop for local shopping.
A perfect way to see both the imperial and modern sides of Istanbul in just a few hours.
- Perfect for travelers eager to see Istanbul’s top highlights in half a day
- Interior visit to the splendid Dolmabahçe Palace
- Cross between continents over the iconic Bosphorus Bridge
- Capture panoramic shots from Pierre Loti Hill and the Asian Hill
- Insightful overview of Istanbul’s walls and an opportunity to shop locally
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (for centrally located Istanbul hotels)
- Air-conditioned vehicle for transport
- Professional, English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fee to Dolmabahçe Palace (interior visit)
- Cable car ride at Pierre Loti Hill
- Lunch or any meals not specified
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, snacks, drinks)
Start Time: 08:45 | End Time: ~13:00
Itinerary:
- Hotel Pick-Up (08:45): Begin your day with a convenient transfer from your centrally located Istanbul hotel to the tour meeting point. (Pick-up time is changeable according to your hotel’s location.)
- Dolmabahçe Palace Interior Visit: Explore the opulent residence built between 1843 and 1856. Admire its ornate Baroque architecture, glittering chandeliers, and priceless furnishings. Learn about the construction masterminded by Hacı Saîd Ağa, the Balyan family architects, and the staggering cost equivalent to 35 tonnes of gold.
- Bosphorus Bridge Drive: Travel over the 64-meter-high bridge connecting Europe and Asia, soaking in remarkable skyline views from both continents in a single journey.
- Asian Hill (Panoramic Stop): Ascend a Bosphorus-side hill for a sweeping vista of the city’s contrasting landscapes. Capture photos showcasing Istanbul’s fusion of old and new.
- Pierre Loti Hill & Cable Car Ride: Head to the end of the Golden Horn inlet, where you’ll ride a cable car up to the famous café named after French writer Pierre Loti. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere while gazing over the Golden Horn.
- City Walls Tour: Glimpse Istanbul’s formidable fortifications, breached only twice in over 1600 years. Learn about their role in defending the ancient city of Constantinople.
- Shopping Opportunity: On your return, pause for a brief chance to browse local markets or shops, perhaps picking up souvenirs or Turkish delights.
Around 13:00: Tour concludes with drop-off back to your hotel or a central location, letting you continue exploring Istanbul at your leisure.
We went this tour with our group of friends (10 people) It was excellent experience about the sites and visit the Dolmabahce Palace and also, Hunting place of Ottoman. Touring and tour guide were excellent. It was the different experiences with a professional tour guide, safety driving. At the end of the tour, we liked the touring in the city by car and visiting the Dolmabahce Palace and Yıldız Royal Garden, Tour guide wanted to take us to the highest hill of Istanbul for Panoramic view but we didnt have time to go. He said that is a place you will never find such a beautiful looking from Istanbul. I think it is also a place MUST DO in Istanbul. For us next time.
Great place to visit, The Dolmabahce Palace is very beautiful.
It was good to be in Dolmabahce palace.
One of my friend recommended me to visit this palace and he was explaining and was not finishing this explaining about the palace. I was wondering to come to Istanbul and be in this palace. It was realy night to see and have informaiton about the arch of the palace. He was right. I liked the palace and location of it. I recommend to every one who comes to Istanbul, should see it.
Comment form is loading...
Other Top-Rated Turkey Tours
Loading similar tours...