Dolmabahçe Palace

Dripping in gold everywhere you look! No photography allowed inside (and they will make you delete the pictures if caught so don't try!). The palace is very 'over the top' but a perfect example of the wealth of the Sultans. The main staircase is jaw-dropping! The clock museum (on the grounds) was worth a visit too. Beautiful gifts and examples of craftsmanship from around the world. When we went the glass house/ crystal house (I forget what it was called) was closed for renovation. However, there was an aviary you could visit. I highly recommend you buy the full ticket as the Harem section contains all the bedrooms which you cannot visit on the palace ticket alone. Tip: skip the queue and walk just inside the main gates to the grounds and there are two ticket machines. You can buy your tickets there and go straight through security. Second tip: avoid the overcharged 'skip the line VIP ticket'. We said no to some aggressive people trying to make us pay extra and instead bought the tickets from the machines described above and still skipped the queue on our own.

Book a guide. Beat the queue and appreciate more of what you see.

Worth seeing

Not included in the Museum pass. Fabulous palace with beautiful rooms. Photos are not allowed to be taken inside.

Get there before 10 to avoid queues. Cafe inside te entrance is great value