Ishak Pasha Palace stands on a mountain terrace about five kilometres from Doğubayazıt, at the far eastern edge of Türkiye, with Mount Ararat across the plain. It is an 18th-century Ottoman palace of golden stone, with two courtyards, a mosque, a harem, reception halls and underfloor heating. It was built by a family of Kurdish governors, who brought Ottoman, Persian, Armenian and Georgian influences together in a single building.
Of all the sights in eastern Türkiye, this is the one that most surprises people who aren't expecting it. With the late-afternoon light on the façade and Ararat on the horizon, it is also one of the most photogenic.
A little history
Çolak Abdi Pasha began the palace around 1685, and his grandson Ishak Pasha completed it in 1784, a century later. By then the family governed the Bayazıt region on behalf of the sultan with almost complete autonomy. They controlled the caravan route between Persia and Anatolia, and the palace was at once a residence, the seat of government, a barracks and lodgings for the caravans. The family, who were of Kurdish origin, lost their power in the 19th century, when Istanbul took back direct control of the eastern provinces.
In 1917 Russian troops carried the palace's gold-plated doors off to Russia; according to the usual account, they are now in the Hermitage in St Petersburg. The palace was left abandoned and has since been restored, with a modern roof that now shelters the inner courtyards. It is on UNESCO's Tentative List for World Heritage status.
What to see at Ishak Pasha Palace
The gateway and the first courtyard
A monumental gateway, its stone carved in the style of the Seljuk caravanserais, opens onto the first courtyard, where the caravans and the guard were lodged. This is where the gold-plated doors once hung.
The second courtyard, the mosque and the tomb
A second gateway leads into the courtyard of government, with the mosque, whose dome and minaret are finely carved, and the family tomb, a small two-storey mausoleum decorated with reliefs.
The harem and the halls
The most sheltered part of the palace holds the harem, whose rooms open onto a central hall, as well as the baths, the kitchens with their great chimneys and the heating system of ducts running under the floors, a rarity in a palace of that period. Carved flowers, animals and geometric patterns cover the doorways, windows and fireplaces.
The terrace and the views
From the terraces you look out over the Doğubayazıt plain, the old castle of Bayazıt on the crag opposite, with an Ottoman mosque and Urartian reliefs, and Ararat, which only shows itself when the sky is clear.
Tips for your visit
Allow an hour and a half. The route involves stairs and narrow passages, so it is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Come in the afternoon for the golden façade, and in the morning for Ararat without clouds.
- Always bring a warm layer: the palace stands at around 2,000 metres, and the wind is cold even in summer.
- The café with a terrace next to the car park has the best view of the palace.
- It works well with children: courtyards, staircases and the story of the stolen gold doors.
Tickets and prices
Entry costs €5 under the official 2027 tariff published at the time of writing (2026), and I confirm the price when I prepare each trip. On my tours the ticket is either included or the guide takes care of it.
Where it is and how to get there
The palace lies about five kilometres south-east of Doğubayazıt, up a mountain road: ten minutes by car or taxi. Doğubayazıt itself is about two and a half hours by road from Van and from Kars. The nearest airports are Iğdır, about an hour away, and Ağrı, about an hour and a half.
How I include it in my tours
On my routes through eastern Türkiye it is the afternoon visit on the day we arrive in Doğubayazıt, and it is also the first visit of my Mount Ararat climb. For the town itself, the meteor crater and the Diyadin hot springs, read Doğubayazıt and Mount Ararat; for the rest of the route, see Ani and Akdamar Island.
If you'd like to see Ararat up close, tell me about it through the tailor-made trip form.