Beylerbeyi Palace – Royal Summer on the Asian Shore
If Dolmabahçe was for ceremony, Beylerbeyi was for escape.
Table of Contents
Introduction
This elegant palace sits quietly on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, just north of the First Bridge. It doesn’t shout for attention — but if you’re on a boat, you’ll notice it.
With its white marble façade glowing under the sun, Beylerbeyi Palace looks like it was built to be admired from the water — and in many ways, it was.
A Quick History
Commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz, Beylerbeyi Palace was completed in 1865 as a summer residence for the Ottoman royal family. It was also used to host foreign dignitaries, including Empress Eugénie of France, Franz Joseph of Austria, and even Shah Naser al-Din of Persia.
Unlike Dolmabahçe, which was meant to impress foreign envoys with European grandeur, Beylerbeyi was more personal, more relaxed — yet still richly decorated in Second Empire style, with lavish interiors, Bohemian crystal chandeliers, and handmade carpets.
Essential Facts
🏗️ Completed: 1865
📍 Location: Üsküdar district, Asian shore, just under the Bosphorus Bridge
🏛️ Function: Summer palace and guesthouse for state visitors
🕰️ Status today: Museum open to visitors (closed Mondays)
🎟️ Admission: Approx. €6–8 per person; Museum Pass not accepted
⏰ Hours: 09:00–17:00; last entry 16:00
From the Bosphorus: What You See
Approaching Beylerbeyi Palace by boat gives you the best view of its waterfront architecture. From the outside, you can spot:
- The imperial pier and boat landing platform, once used for royal arrivals
- The two-story main structure with intricate carvings and arched windows
- The delicate harem section, just slightly separated from the main building
- Symmetrical gardens that frame the structure on both sides
All of this sits just meters from the water — no high walls, no barriers. Just the palace and the Bosphorus, side by side.
Why It Matters
Beylerbeyi may not have the size of Topkapı or the theatrical scale of Dolmabahçe, but it offers something rare: an intimate look at Ottoman luxury away from the capital’s noise.
It’s also a reminder that the Bosphorus wasn’t just for trade and defense — it was for retreat, relaxation, and perspective.
See It with CruiseBosphorus.com
From our cruises, Beylerbeyi always draws the eye. Whether you’re on a sunset yacht, a midday public ferry, or a private sightseeing cruise, this palace offers one of the most photogenic stops along the Asian shoreline.
We slow down as we pass — not for show, but because the setting deserves it. The reflection of Beylerbeyi in the Bosphorus is one of Istanbul’s quietest luxuries.
