Some historians criticise the fact that Dolmabahçe Palace was built with money borrowed from the west. However, the Ottomans wanted to show their power by having this palace built.

The palace has housed six sultans and the Ottoman Caliph Abdülmecid Efendi from 1856 until 1924 when the caliphate was abolished. Between 1927 and 1949, it was used as the Presidential office. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish revolution, also used this palace between 1927-1938 and took his last breath here on November 10, 1938.
Today the Palace is still used for official purposes and has been open to visitors as a museum?palace since 1984.

On the upper floor of the palace, there is the Haremi Hümayun and the Sultans' room. This area is now reserved for the Painting and Sculpture Museum. Around the palace, there are the Girls Agha apartments, the palace mill, the Hamlacilar ward, and the wood warehouses. Another interesting feature of the palace is the numerous monumental doors. Don’t miss the ones opening onto the street and in the direction of the clock tower.

The interior of Dolmabahçe Palace is just as striking as it's outside. The reception hall has a 4.5-ton chandelier which was given by Queen Victoria of England. The rooms where historical events take place have  different names.

The room where the ambassadors were received is known as the Red Room, and the room to the right of it is known as the Somaki Hall. Other rooms include the Private Room, the Supply Room, the Mirrored Room, the Painting room, the Clothes Room, and the Stone Room.

There is also a cafe in the garden where you can take a break whilst gazing out to the sea.