Located along the coast of the Bosphorus in Besiktas, 300 yards from the Besiktas ferry-boat quay, this palace is the greatest imperial Ottoman residence. It was constructed by the Armenian architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan for Sultan Abdulmecid (1839-61) who preferring a more modern residence, decided to move out of the Topkapi Palace. The construction of this sumptuous palace was finished in 1853 and the royal family abandoned the imperial residence of Topkapi Palace which had served as a home for the Ottoman household for almost four centuries. Dolmabahce was the imperial residence of all subsequent Ottoman Sultans, with the exception of Abdulhamid II (1876 - 1909) who preferred living in the more secluded Yildiz Palace. An apartment within it served as Ataturk’s residence in Istanbul and he died there during his last visit to Istanbul on 10 november 1938. After extensive restorations, it was transformed into a museum. From time to time, it is used for gala official functions as well.

The site of Dolmabahce, which literally means "filled garden" was in Byzantine times an inlet on the Bosphorus. Mehmed, the Conqueror had the harbour filled and made into a garden. The palace’s magnificent marble facade faces the Bosphorus. One enters through the gardens after passing through the main south gate. Taking up the area of 250.000 square meters, the entire palace complex consists of 258 rooms, six of which are hamams and 43 are saloons. Two-thirds of the palace consists of the woman’s quarters (haremlik).

The palace’s sumptuous interior was decorated by the famous French decorator Sechan and is reminiscent of French palaces and villas. Among the riches and opulent furnishing found here are paintings made by well known European artists commissioned by Ottoman sultans (such as Boulanger, Ayvazovski and Gerome), Hereke carpets, Baccarat crystal and Bohemian glass chandeliers, including the world’s largest chandelier which hangs in the State Room.