The Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı) was built in 1861 as the summer residence of Sultan Abdülaziz. Pay special attention to the two extraordinary marble bathing pavilions at both ends on the shore: one for men and the other for the harem women.

The Çırağan Palace (Çırağan Sarayı) in Istanbul was the last of the Ottoman imperial palaces. After a big fire in 1910, it was restored in 1989 and now serves as luxurious 5-star hotel. (Photo credit: Randomil)

The Imperial Treasury (Hazine) of Topkapi Palace is now included in the general admission ticket and well worth a visit. It has a vast collection of art, jewelry and precious stones on display in three rooms. The second room holds the greatest pieces, with this Topkapi dagger as the star of the show. It is a golden hilt, ornamented with three large emeralds, topped by a golden watch and emerald lid.

Visiting the Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) in Istanbul will take at least half a day, more if you’re thorough. The final version of the palace covered an area of 700.000 m² and was home to as many as 4.000 people.

The famous Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) in Istanbul consists of four courtyards. The first courtyard is freely accessible, so the real (and paid) visit to the palace starts at the Gate of Salutation (Babus Selam), also known as the Middle Gate (Orta Kapı). Only the sultan and the queen mother (Valide Sultan) were allowed to pass the gate on horseback.

According to the guide that led me through the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, this chandelier located in the muyade hall is still the biggest in the world. And even if it’s no longer the case, this 4,5 tons chandelier with 664 bulbs remains impressive.

The Selamlık Tour of the Dolmabahçe Palace almost immediately opens big with this Baccarat crystal staircase which takes you to the first floor of the palace.

Here you see the apartments of the Harem favorites and their courtyard. At the other side of the courtyard, you can also see the swimming pool.

This is a passage leading to the courtyard of the black eunuchs in the Harem of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. No males other than the black eunuchs who guarded the harem and the sultan were allowed on the premises.

This sign welcomes you at the entrance of the Harem of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. You can find the entrance underneath the Tower of Justice. There you will also find the ticket sales booth, since a tour in the harem is not included in the general admission ticket.