Beylerbeyi Palace, Istanbul

With so many amazing sights to visit in Istanbul, the Beylerbeyi Palace is nearly unknown to many self-guiding tourists. It is, however, a good way to spend some time and should definitely be included in a trip to the Asian side of the city. In the 19th century, this summer residence and guesthouse of the Ottoman sultans was much admired by contemporary visitors from Europe, and you'll either be charmed or perplexed by the fantastic detailing in the Oriental Rococo style.

Rooms decorated in Ottoman style are in a minority, most being highly influenced by French and English tastes of the period. The Bohemian-style chandeliers and other lighting fixtures (all designed for candles) are especially noteworthy, but there are all sorts of details to savor, from the hand-decorated doorknobs down to the beautiful reed matting on the floor. Another important fact (for history buffs, at least) is that Sultan Abd眉laziz, after being deposed, lived the last few remaining years of his life here. An accomplished designer, he has not wasted any time, with many of his touches seen and felt throughout the palace.

Note that no individual entries are allowed, but the system in place is actually quite neat: everyone enters together after putting a deposit on a free audio guide and, basically, everyone goes at their own pace since the audio guide automatically plays for whatever room one is standing in front of. Another benefit lies in the lack of crowds, and visitors can have a relaxing breakfast/lunch at the cafe beside the duck pond.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Istanbul. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Beylerbeyi Palace
Sight Location: Istanbul, Turkey (See walking tours in Istanbul)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Asian Side and Bosphorus Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Istanbul, Turkey

Create Your Own Walk in Istanbul

Creating your own self-guided walk in Istanbul is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Istanbul City Walls

One of the most elaborate fortification systems of ancient times, the Walls of Constantinople were built by Constantine the Great to protect the city, the then newly-established capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, from attacks by land and sea. Of these, only the Golden Gate, an old ceremonial gateway into the city, had survived by the late Byzantine Era when a new series of land walls were added... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

Istanbul Introduction Walking Tour

Formerly known as 鈥淏yzantium鈥�, 鈥淐onstantinople鈥� and 鈥淣ew Rome鈥�, Istanbul is the main city of Turkey, straddling the Bosphorus Strait, and as such, bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally. This ancient transcontinental metropolis embraces cultural influences of the many empires and civilizations that once ruled and flourished on this land.

... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles

Old European Quarter Walk

Back in the Ottoman era, the Beyo臒lu neighborhood (then known as Pera) together with Galata formed the European Quarter of Istanbul. Home to embassies and trading centers, as well as the fine 19th-century, Parisian-style apartment houses, this area was much loved by the city's non-Islamic minorities.

Its growth was boosted by the opening of the Orient Express line, connecting Paris to... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

Asian Side and Bosphorus Walking Tour

Istanbul is the only megalopolis in the world that straddles two continents. The Bosphorus Strait splits Turkey's biggest city into two parts: European and Asian. The latter, known locally as Asya Yakas谋 (鈥淎sian Side鈥�), or more commonly as Anadolu Yakas谋 (鈥淎natolian Side鈥�), is found east of the strait, geographically on the Asian mainland.

The vast Anatolian shore, wrongly... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

Byzantine Heritage Walking Tour

Originated as a Greek city called Byzantium, what's now known as Istanbul initially made name as Constantinople, an Eastern Roman imperial capital whose greatness had lasted for over a millennium, from 330 AD until the Ottoman invasion in 1453.

The Byzantine Empire鈥檚 rich cultural and architectural heritage is still preserved in dazzling sites throughout the city. Away from its Islamic... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

Bosphorus Coast Walking Tour

One of the planet's most praised stretches of water, the Bosphorus is a source of great pride for Istanbulites and of admiration for travelers. The 30-km strait dividing Europe and Asia and connecting the Marmara with the Black Sea is one of the city's highlights, having been for all ages the subject of legend and art.

This self-guided walk will take you along the coast so that you... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles

View all walking tours in Istanbul, Turkey

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Istanbul Shopping Guide: 16 Turkish Items To Bring Home

Istanbul, known throughout history as Byzantium and Constantinople, has been a major center of commerce and trade, a place where merchants and general folk would rush to regularly in search of exotic things. In our days, modern travelers to Istanbul are also bound to enjoy a truly magnificent...