A Solo Day in Istanbul | How to Find Calm at Dolmabahçe Palace & the Bosphorus

Spend a solo day in Istanbul exploring Dolmabahçe Palace before the crowds, taking peaceful Bosphorus ferry rides, wandering quiet gardens, and discovering hidden moments in Turkey’s most dynamic city. I start the morning along the waterfront in Üsküdar, watching fishermen line the Bosphorus as cats gather nearby, before crossing the water by ferry toward the European side. Arriving early at Dolmabahçe Palace made all the difference as I got to experience empty gardens, silent galleries, and a rare chance to experience one of Istanbul’s most iconic palaces in near solitude. From the National Palaces Museum of Painting to the Harem and finally the Selamlık, exploring the palace in reverse allowed me to experience it in a quieter and more personal way. After spending hours inside the palace grounds, I continued through Beşiktaş, Maçka Park, and nearby streets, enjoying a slower pace of the city. I ended the day back at the Bosphorus, taking the ferry to the Asian after spending lovely solo day in Istanbul. If you’d like to see more from my perspective as an American living in Turkey, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and giving this video a thumbs up. Until next time, thanks! ~ Oh So Pom ~ Instagram: @ohsopom Like the music featured in this video? Check out Epidemic Sound using my referral link below and get a free trial: https://share.epidemicsound.com/8gfyny Featured songs: Franz Gordon / Kyoto Waltz / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Helmut Schenker / Lights of Destination / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Allan Ellis / The Longest Rest / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Megan Wofford / Holding on to Hope / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com S.A. Karl / Equus / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Trevor Kowalski / Late Nights in Harmony / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Alice Spence / Life of Finn / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Sada Trio / Mini Samai / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Franz Gordon / Dreamy Waltz / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Wanderer’s Trove / Midsummer Waltz / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com #istanbul #dolmabahçe #travelturkey