Beylerbeyi Palace & Camlica Hill Half-Day Morning Tour in Istanbul

The Beylerbeyi Palace and Camlica Hill half-day morning tour: the key facts

This is a half-day group tour on the Asian side of Istanbul. After hotel pick-up, you cross the Bosphorus Bridge from Europe to Asia, visit the rooms and gardens of Beylerbeyi Palace with a licensed guide, then go up Camlica Hill for a wide view over the city, the bridges and the water. The tour starts at 08:30 and ends at about 12:00 with a drop-off at your hotel.

It suits travellers who have seen the Old City and want a quieter palace with fewer crowds, and anyone who wants a morning tour with the afternoon free. The guiding is in English. The price is from $52 per person.

What do we see at Beylerbeyi Palace?

Beylerbeyi Palace stands on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus and was used as a summer residence by the Ottoman sultans. It is smaller than Dolmabahce, which makes the visit feel more personal. Inside, your guide points out the hand-painted ceilings, the Bohemian crystal and the furnishings, and outside you walk through the gardens by the water. The entrance fee is included in the price. Ask your guide where photos are allowed before you take pictures inside.

What is Camlica Hill like?

Camlica Hill is one of the highest points in Istanbul, on the Asian side. From the top you see the Bosphorus bridges, the minarets of the historic peninsula, the European shore and the neighbourhoods running down to the water, all in one view. The stop is a viewpoint rather than a guided visit, so it is a good moment for photos. On a clear morning the view is sharper; on hazy days it is softer. Bring a light jacket in cooler months, as it can be windy on the hill.

Which days does it run, and is the palace ever closed?

The page does not state the operating days. Beylerbeyi Palace is normally closed on Mondays, like Istanbul's other national palaces, and can also close on the first days of religious holidays. If your free morning falls on a Monday, choose another date or ask us what we offer instead. Opening hours have changed over the years, so we confirm the palace visit for your exact date when you book. For other half-day ideas on any day, see our half-day tours.

Where do you pick us up?

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included. The page does not say which districts are covered, so tell us your hotel when booking and we confirm the pick-up point and time, especially if you stay outside the centre. The 08:30 start means the morning traffic over the bridge is part of the trip; the drive itself gives you a first look at the Bosphorus. Our page on Istanbul tours with hotel pickup lists other options.

Are meals included, and what should we bring?

No food or drinks are included, so have breakfast before 08:30 and bring water. You are back at your hotel around midday, in time for lunch in your own area. Wear comfortable shoes for the palace floors and the garden paths. There is no mosque visit on the main route, but if you choose to step into the large mosque on Camlica Hill during the stop, cover shoulders and knees, women should cover their hair, and shoes come off inside. A small amount of cash is useful for personal purchases.

How does this tour compare with our other Bosphorus tours?

This tour is about the Asian shore by road. If you would rather be on the water, the morning Bosphorus cruise with a Spice Bazaar stop costs from $40 per person and passes Beylerbeyi from the boat. If you want both, the full-day Bosphorus cruise and two continents tour from $88 per person combines the Spice Bazaar, a cruise, lunch, Beylerbeyi Palace and Camlica Hill in one day. For an evening on the water, see the Bosphorus dinner cruise from $57 per person.

Can we combine it with another tour on the same day?

Yes. Because you are back around 12:00, you can add an afternoon activity. The Istanbul Old City afternoon small-group tour from $150 per person and the Bosphorus lunch cruise are options to look at, as long as their start times fit after your drop-off. For a full overview of what to do on the water and on both shores, read things to do on the Bosphorus and our Istanbul destination guide.

How do we book this tour?

Pick your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or write to us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. The form shows start times from 08:00 to 14:00, but this tour has a fixed 08:30 start. The FAQ on the page also compares prices in euros, while the price shown is $52 per person, so check the final price in your booking confirmation. We confirm the date, the palace opening and the pick-up time in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).