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Istanbul Imperial Pavilions Corporate Trip (Küçüksu, Ihlamur, Aynalıkavak)
İstanbul, Türkiye Starting Point: Coach from Istanbul or the surrounding provinces
Overview
The Istanbul Imperial Pavilions corporate trip is a guided programme through three small palaces that Ottoman sultans used for short stays, rest and receptions: the Küçüksu, Ihlamur and Aynalıkavak pavilions. In the standard plan each pavilion is given its own day and a two-to-three-hour visit; on request the three stops can be combined into a single day. It offers a calmer and more detailed cultural experience than the large palaces.
What is in the programme?
Küçüksu Pavilion: Located in Beykoz, where the Göksu stream meets the Bosphorus. Commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid from Nigoğos Balyan in the 1850s, its richly ornamented façade makes it one of the best-known waterfront buildings on the Bosphorus. Ihlamur Pavilions: Set in the Ihlamur Valley in Beşiktaş, they comprise the Ceremonial Pavilion and the Retinue Pavilion, both built in the reign of Abdülmecid; the Ceremonial Pavilion is where foreign guests were received.
Aynalıkavak Pavilion: On the Golden Horn shore at Hasköy, it is the surviving building of the Tersane Palace, which once spread over a wide area. Extensively restored in the reign of Selim III, the pavilion today houses an exhibition of Turkish musical instruments. At each visit the rooms, gardens and decorative scheme of the pavilion are examined with the guide.
Highlights
- Three pavilions in three different landscapes: the Bosphorus shore, a valley and the Golden Horn
- A close look at the decorative approach of the Westernisation period in small-scale buildings
- The instrument exhibition at Aynalıkavak, linked to Selim III's passion for music
- Pavilion admission fees and guided tours of the interiors and gardens included
Who Is It For?
The programme can be planned for large company teams of 25-250; however, because the pavilions are small buildings, large groups are split into small groups per guide and the visits are staggered across the day. It suits art, design and interior architecture teams, as well as HR units organising culture-themed employee events. The physical effort is low; there are short walks in the gardens.
Planning Notes
- Transport, food and drink, insurance and the Museum Card are not included; transfers between the pavilions must be planned separately.
- In the single-day version, some of the pavilions can only be seen from the outside.
- The Küçüksu visit can be combined with lunch around Göksu, the Ihlamur visit with lunch in Beşiktaş, and the Aynalıkavak visit with lunch on the Golden Horn shore.
- The gardens are most pleasant in spring and autumn; in wet weather the programme focuses on the interiors.
Additional Services
Corporate Fit
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Suitable Team SizeLarge company teams of 25-250
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SegmentStandard
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Extra FeaturesLocal economy, Accessible
Included Services / Excluded Services
- Professional guiding service (in Turkish; other languages optional at extra cost)
- Admission fees for all pavilions (the Museum Card is valid - added if not held)
- Guided tour of the pavilion interiors and gardens
- Corporate event planning
- Tour coordination support
- Programme design tailored to the group
- Transport / transfers (can be provided by the company's own coaches or as an additional service)
- Food and drink (lunches, coffee breaks)
- Museum Card (valid at the pavilions)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, photo prints and so on)
- Insurance (recommended, an additional service)
Tour Gallery
FAQ
All the pavilions (Küçüksu, Ihlamur, Aynalıkavak) are closed to visitors on Mondays. On other days of the week they are open 09:00-18:00, with ticket offices closing at 17:00. They may also be closed on the first day of religious holidays and on New Year's Day. We plan our corporate tours around these hours.
Admission fees differ by pavilion and between Turkish and foreign visitors, and are updated periodically; current fees are confirmed when the programme is planned. The Küçüksu, Ihlamur and Aynalıkavak pavilions belong to the National Palaces Administration; Museum Card validity is confirmed when the programme is planned. Entry is free for children aged 0-6, and discounted tickets apply for students.
Photography without flash is permitted inside the pavilions (flash is restricted to protect the historic artefacts). However, professional shoots (tripod, lighting, equipment, costumes) require prior permission from the Directorate of National Palaces. Photographs can be taken freely in the gardens and outdoor areas.
Yes, it is possible, but it makes for a very intensive programme (an average of 1.5-2 hours per pavilion, plus travel and a meal). The journey between Küçüksu (Beykoz) and Aynalıkavak (Hasköy) takes 45-60 minutes in traffic. Depending on the company's preference, the three pavilions can be planned in one day and seen from the outside only, or two can be visited inside and one seen from the outside. Our recommendation is to spread the visits over three days to explore each one in depth.
Yes, the tour is planned exclusively for companies. The number of guides and transfer vehicles is set according to group size. It can run with a minimum of 25 participants.
Transfers are not included in the standard package. However, return VIP vehicle or coach transfers from the company office to the pavilions can be organised as an additional service. Alternatively, the company can use its own coaches and meet participants in front of the pavilion. There are paid car parks near each pavilion.
Permission is required to use camping chairs or picnic in the garden of the Ihlamur Pavilion. The Küçüksu Pavilion has a recreation area. In general, organised picnics are not common in the pavilion gardens; they are mostly used for walking, resting and photography.
The lower floor of the Aynalıkavak Pavilion is arranged as a Museum of Turkish Musical Instruments, dedicated to Selim III's artistic and musical character. Historic examples of traditional Turkish instruments such as the ney, oud, kanun, tanbur, kemençe, santur and rebab are on display. The collection offers valuable insight into Ottoman court music.
The Istanbul Pavilions (Küçüksu-Ihlamur-Aynalıkavak) programme works best for large company teams of 25-250. Its flow can be adjusted to headcount, departmental structure and the motivational outcome you are aiming for.
This tour sits in the standard segment. Pricing is finalised on the basis of participant numbers, dates, transport, meals, guiding and any extra activities.
Additional features that stand out in this programme: a contribution to the local economy and an accessible programme. Low-carbon transport, low-waste operations and local sourcing can be added where needed.
Share your headcount, date range, destination, budget segment and any particular needs on the tour request form, and we will prepare a price and programme proposal with alternatives for your corporate team.
