Dolmabahce Palace hosted the last sultans of the Ottoman Empire between 1856 and 1923. Located in one of the most beautiful places of the Bosphorus, the palace stands out with its magnificent view.
The first palace of the Ottoman sultans was the traditional Topkapi Palace in Sultanahmet. However, with the influence of Westernization in the 19th century, the sultanate moved from the old palace to this new palace on the shores of the Bosphorus.
In this article, you can find the most up-to-date information about Dolmabahce Palace ticket prices and opening hours. As a licensed tour guide who visits the palace frequently, I keep this article as up-to-date as possible.
At the end of the article, you can also find a section explaining how to get to Dolmabahce Palace from Sultanahmet and Beyoglu (Taksim Square, Cihangir, Galata, Karakoy).
Dolmabahce Palace 2025 Visitor Summary
Below you can find the Dolmabahce Palace visitor summary updated for 2025, including entrance fees, visiting information, and skip-the-line tickets.
• Ticket Price: 1500 TL (main building, harem & painting collection)
• The palace entry fee is approximately 30 Euros or 35 US Dollars
• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
• Museum Pass: Not Valid
• Skip-the-line: Online tickets recommended. You can book from here.
• Location: Kabatas, Istanbul
• Last Updated: November 2025
How to Quickly Enter the Palace?
Entering the palace in the summer months may be difficult due to the high tourist season. Long queues form in front of the ticket offices of the palace from April to November.
In order to quickly enter the palace, you can purchase tickets for the guided group tour online from here. These tickets are slightly more expensive than standard museum tickets, but they give you the advantage of fast track.
Guests with skip-the-line tickets meet their guides at the designated point at the gate of the Dolmabahce Palace and quickly enter the museum. Thanks to the guide’s explanations, you can have brief information about this palace from the late Ottoman period.
Dolmabahce Palace Ticket Price (2025)
Dolmabahce Palace ticket price is 1500 Turkish Liras as of 2025. This ticket includes the main building of the palace, harem rooms and painting collection sections. Museum Pass Istanbul is NOT valid here.
Ticket prices of museums in Istanbul may change frequently, I try to provide the most up-to-date information about the entrance fees of the museums on this site. I last updated the information about entrance fees in November 2025.
Dolmabahce Palace Tickets (Skip-the-Line) 2025
Dolmabahce Palace skip-the-line tickets give you the opportunity to enter the palace with a guided group. Although these tickets are slightly more expensive than the standard palace ticket, they are perfect for avoiding queues, especially during the summer months.
Those who have a skip-the-line ticket meet their guides carrying the flag of the relevant company at the entrance of the palace and enter the museum as a group in an orderly manner. Meanwhile, they receive detailed information about the history of the palace.
If you want to enter Dolmabahce Palace with the advantage of fast track, you can buy your skip-the-line guided tour tickets via the link here. These tickets are under the guarantee of GetYourGuide, an international company, and they can be canceled and refunded up to 24 hours before the activity.
Dolmabahce Palace Visiting Hours (2025)
Dolmabahce Palace visiting hours are between 09:00 in the morning and 17:00 in the evening in 2025. Please note that the ticket offices will close slightly before the last entry time. I last updated the information about opening hours in November 2025.
When making your travel plan, please remember that Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays. The entrance to the palace may also be closed during national and religious holidays throughout the year.
Opening and closing hours of museums in Istanbul may change due to official and religious celebrations throughout the year. If you wish, you can visit the official website of the museum here and check the latest status before your visit.
Did You Know? The lavish carpets seen inside Dolmabahce Palace were specially woven in the 19th century at the imperial workshops in Hereke, near Izmit (ancient Nicomedia). These masterpieces were created exclusively for the Ottoman palaces.
To discover more about their history and craftsmanship, read Everything About Turkish Carpets on our Istanbul Travel Blog website. I wrote this article based on my observations as a guide who has been working in Istanbul for 20 years..
How to Get to Dolmabahce Palace?
To go to Dolmabahce Palace from Sultanahmet, you first need to go to Kabatas with Tram T1. Thus, you will cross the Galata Bridge and leave the Historical Peninsula (that is, the Old City) behind.
You can walk to the palace in 10 minutes from Kabatas, the last stop of Tram T1. You can walk towards Besiktas FC’s Vodafone Park stadium (picture above), which is visible from the station. The stadium and the palace are neighbors.
You can use Funicular F1 to go to Dolmabahce Palace from Taksim Square. Funicular F1, a one-stop means of transportation, will take you directly from the square to Kabatas.
You can also reach the palace from Galata, Karakoy and Cihangir, which are the other neighborhoods of Beyoglu (aka Taksim), via T1. There are tram stops within walking distance of these districts.
If you would like to get more information about public transportation in Istanbul, you can access the most up-to-date metro maps of Istanbul here.
Dolmabahce Palace FAQ (2025)
Below you’ll find frequently asked questions about Dolmabahce Palace. As a private tour guide in Istanbul, I’ve included answers to the questions my clients most frequently ask.
Which days is Dolmabahce Palace closed?
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays and during national or religious holidays.
Does the ticket include the harem and other sections?
Yes, the 1500 TL ticket includes the main building, harem rooms and painting collection sections.
Is the Museum Pass valid at Dolmabahce Palace?
No, the Museum Pass is not valid for entry. You can find more detailed information about the places where Museum Pass is valid in Istanbul in this article.
Do I need skip-the-line tickets?
Highly recommended from April to November due to long queues.
How long should I spend at Dolmabahce Palace?
Plan for at least 2 hours to explore the palace fully.
About the Author – Serhat Engul (Local Guide in Istanbul)
Hi, I’m Serhat Engul, a licensed tour guide in Istanbul for over 20 years. I have led hundreds of private tours through the city’s major monuments, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. If you’d like to book a private guided tour, please check the details on the Homepage of this blog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this palace is among the most important historical places in Istanbul. After visiting here, you can also visit nearby places such as the Galata Tower (in Beyoglu) or Istanbul Naval Museum (in Besiktas).
The best way to enter Dolmabahce Palace quickly is to buy a fast-track guided group tour ticket.
Click here to book your skip-the-line ticket now
Tickets are guaranteed by GetYourGuide, an international travel platform, and can be canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Finally, on the blog pages of this website, you can find information about the most important tourist attractions and museums in the city. Prepared as a practical tourist guide, this site contains all the necessary information for first-time visitors.
Written by Serhat Engul