The last day in Istanbul was spent on Dolmabahçe Palace and Galata Kulesi.

We first went to Dolmabahçe Palace, the newer palace that has been the residence of the Ottoman Empire from 1857-1887, and from 1909-1922. It is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, still on the European side. The construction was ordered by the former sultan Abdülmecid I, as he felt that Topkapi Sarayi was lacking in both style, facilities, and comfort, and wanted a more modern, westernized palace. Dolmabahçe Palace was then built, in baroque style.