eylerbeyi Sarayı, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) northeast of Üsküdar (map), is a "small" Istanbul summer palace overlooking the Bosphorus from its Asian shore. It makes a delightful Bosphorus visit, perhaps along with the even smaller but similarly-ornate Küçüksu Kasrı, but not on Monay or Thursday, when both palaces are closed.
You can see both via Dentur Avrasya's Hop On - Hop Off Bosphorus cruise.
Built on orders of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876), Beylerbeyi is a delightful, if ornate, imperial residence with a fountain in the main salon, the usual sumptuous chambers, Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Sèvres and Chinese vases, and pleasant gardens.
The palace was often used as a guest house for visiting royalty. Empress Eugénie of France, Shah Nasruddin of Persia, Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia and other worthies enjoyed its comforts.