Khedive Palace

Peace and Serenity at Khedive Palace

We know that Istanbul is packed with historical sights, and we also know that the Ottoman Empire left countless opulent palaces and summer residences for us to experience in the present day. Most of these are located centrally within the city, which makes them easy to visit, but also quite noisy due to the passing traffic. If you want to experience true peace and serenity, whilst taking a walk back into history, then Khedive Palace is the spot for you.

Also known as Khedive Villa, the place is located in the Cubuklu area of the city. This is a little further out than the main parts, e.g. Taksim and Sultanahmet, but it shows you a more residential part of Istanbul, which really completes your time. Remember, Istanbul isn’t just a touristic city, it is the home of millions of people, and seeing the more residential areas will show you the authentic way of life. Despite that, Cubuklu isn’t that far away, located in the Beykoz area, so you don’t need to worry about extensive travel!

Khedive Palace was completed in 1907, so it isn’t one of the oldest palaces in the city, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful.

The History And Design of Khedive Palace

The designer of Khedive Palace is unknown, however we do know that it was originally built as the summer residence of the Egyptian Khedive Abbas Hilmi Pasha, who used the palace yearly until around the 1930s. The palace was then sold to the city council.

Unfortunately Khedive Palace was left abandoned until 1984, when it was restored and the outside of the palace made into a restaurant, sitting amongst the beautiful landscaped gardens. You will see that the building has classical Ottoman characteristics, in neo-Renaissance style, as well as a beautiful metal gate at the entrance, decorated with the coat of arms from the Khedive. Be sure to check out the huge fountain, as another point of interest.

Khedive Palace is situated on a hill, so it has some fantastic views over the area and out towards the water. Spanning three storeys, the building has a high tower and the fountain we just mentioned actually spans all the way to the palace’s roof. You can visit the flat roof of the palace’s tower and take in the stunning view over the Bosphorus. This is a must do!

Inside the palace you will find several different hallways and rooms which encircle the main hall, with a beautifully opulent fireplace. Upstairs, alongside the huge bedrooms, there is a terrace, and you can reach it via an elevator, which is another top spot for checking out those Bosphorus views.

Outside the palace, be sure to visit the gardens, which are truly magnificent. There is a beautiful rose garden, which dates back to around 1909, and countless different flowers, which fill the air with a sweet scent. Put simply, you can imagine royalty and people of high social standing sitting there in the summer months – why not pretend you’re one of them!

Visiting Khedive Palace

Khedive Palace is open every day from 9am until 12am. You can reach the palace quite easily from most parts of the city, however you will need to change buses once or twice along the way. The palace is located on the Asian side of the city, so the easiest way is to head over to Kadikoy via the Marmaray or ferry if you’re on the European side, and then from the waterfront bus station, take the 15F bus to Kanlica. The palace is easily signposted from there and just a few minutes’ walk. You will need your Istanbul Card to use the Marmaray, ferries, and the buses, so make sure that your card is charged up beforehand, to avoid delays.

Be sure to enjoy a few hours in Kadikoy whilst you’re over on the Asian side, as this is a more laid back experience, compared to the busy European side. The shopping in Kadikoy is fantastic, and a little cheaper, with great nightlife too. You could also walk along the waterfront towards Uskudar and enjoy a glass of cay at one of the Bosphorus cafes, sitting on the famous cushions as the sunsets over the iconic Maiden’s Tower. The sun set from here is an experience not to be missed and when you combine it with a few hours in opulence at Khedive Palace, you’re getting a truly cultural and naturally beautiful day out.