Dolmabahce Palace

I went to the Dolmabahce Palace today. It was (one of) the residence of the Sultans. Very opulent. Very badly organized. They don't let you walk around on your own, they make you join a tour. Then there's 50 people, those at the back can't hear what's being said (not that the info given is very detailed), and if you're at the front and want to take your time seeing the different rooms, impatient people push past. Annoying.

Opposite the palace is the Besiktas football stadium. There was a match today. As I left the palace, people were pouring towards the stadium. This evening on my way back to the hotel after dinner, I had to make a detour to avoid very happy Besiktas fans celebrating in the main shopping street near Taksim Square.