Beylerbeyi Palace is the smaller and more intimate of Istanbul's two great Bosphorus palaces — less overwhelming than Dolmabahçe on the European side, but arguably more beautiful. Built in 1865 as an imperial summer residence and guest palace, it sits directly on the Bosphorus below the Asian approach to the Bosphorus Bridge.
The interior is furnished with a mixture of European and Ottoman luxury that characterises the reforming Ottoman court of the mid-19th century — crystal chandeliers alongside geometric Ottoman tilework, Louis XVI furniture beside elaborate carved woodwork. Guided tours take you through the state rooms, the marble baths, and the quayside pavilions. The garden terraces and the view of the bridge from the waterfront are excellent even without going inside.