The World’s 100 Best Palaces · 2026
The Best Palaces in the Middle East
6 of the 100 palaces in The World’s 100 Best Palaces 2026 are in the Middle East, in 4 countries. The highest placed is Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at number 13 in the world. Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey (number 19) and Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, Turkey (number 24) follow.
Istanbul
Topkapı Palace is a complex of pavilions around a series of courtyards on Seraglio Point, with the Harem, the Holy Relics and the Treasury. Dolmabahçe Palace is a 19th-century palace on the Bosphorus shore that keeps its original furnishings.
Cairo, Tehran and Abu Dhabi
Manial Palace in Cairo was built from 1901 for Prince Mohamed Ali on an island in the Nile. Abdeen Palace shows weapons, medals, silverware and presidential gifts. Golestan Palace in Tehran was the residence of the Qajar shahs and stands next to the Grand Bazaar. Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi is a working presidential palace that is partly open to the public.
Palaces
Best by region
- The NordicsFrederiksborg CastleHillerød, DenmarkN° 4
- EuropePeleș CastleSinaia, RomaniaN° 1
- AsiaMehrangarh FortJodhpur, IndiaN° 3
- The Middle EastQasr Al WatanAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesN° 13
- North AmericaChapultepec CastleMexico City, MexicoN° 26
- Latin AmericaCatete PalaceRio de Janeiro, BrazilN° 70