The meadow between the rivers of Göksu and Küçüksu was one of the imperial gardens of Ottoman sultans and in time Göksu and the surrounding area became a popular excursion place for the inhabitants of İstanbul. 

Evliyâ Çelebi -the famous Turkish traveler of the 17th century- said of Göksu: “This river is like the water of eternity” and described it as a quiet place where people ride in rowboats and along whose banks are rose gardens, small pavilions and water mills belonging to the state. Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640) re-landscaped this area all the way to Kandilli where thick cypress were found and named it “Silver Cypress”. 

The first structure in the imperial garden appeared during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754). His Grand Vizier Divitdâr Mehmed Emin Pasha had a wooden hunting kiosk built here (1751-1752) for the Sultan who often used this area for hunting and shooting practice. During the reign of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) this wooden two-floored imperial lodge by the seaside underwent extensive renovation and a fountain was commissioned by the Sultan and dedicated to his mother Mihrişah Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) in 1806. This old lodge was also used by Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839). During the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861) it was demolished and the new Küçüksu Pavilion was built in 1856-1857. During the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876) more ornate façade decoration was added.

Küçüksu Pavilion was opened as a museum-palace in 1983.

With a ground area of 15 x 27 meters, the stone pavilion has loadbearing walls and consists of two main storeys and a basement. While the basement comprises the cellar, kitchen and servant’s quarters, the other floors are designed as four rooms, one at each corner, opening into a central gallery, which is typical of the traditional Turkish house. The pavilion was used mostly for recreational purposes and hunting. 

The seaward façade is ornamented with relief decoration, an ornamental pool and fountain against the wall, and a staircase, all featuring Western motifs.The Küçüksu Pavilion is like a museum of art, with ceilings decorated with plaster relief and painted designs, a whole collection of fireplaces made of colored Italian marble, elegant parquet floors with different patterns in each room, European-style furniture, carpets and paintings.

• Museum Card is valid in the palaces, kiosks, pavillions,museums, historical factories affiliated to the Presidency of National Palaces with the exceptions below:
  • Museum Card is not valid in Topkapı Palace Harem and Hagia Irene sections, Dolmabahçe Selamlık section, Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum, Küçüksu Pavillion Picnic area.
  • Discounted Selamlık ticket service is offered for the local Museum Card holders who want to visit the Selamlık section of Dolmabahçe Palace.
• Discounted Selamlık ticket service is offered for the local Museum Card holders who want to visit the Selamlık section of Dolmabahçe Palace.
  • Topkapı Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 day from the date of purchase.
  • Dolmabahçe Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 month from the date of purchase. This period is valid for use in different places. The same place can be visited once only in that month.
• Palaces, Kiosks, Pavillions, Museums and Historical Factories are free for domestic- foreign visitors aged 0-6.
• Discounted ticket service is offered for the students between the ages of 07-25 who present their student ID card.
  • Topkapı Palace is free for TR and TRNC citizens under the age of 18. Discounted ticket service is offered at Topkapı Palace for TR and TRNC citizens between 18-25 years. (25 Included)
  • Foreign students pay twice the price of the discounted ticket.
  • Foreign students aged 12-25 are requested to present their International Student Identity Card (ISIC: International Student Identity Card) concretely.
• National Palaces Glass and Crystal Museum is free for domestic-foreign visitors under the age of 12.
• 20% Discount is applied to the tour companies that bring 20 or more visitors to the palaces, kiosks, pavillions,museums, historical factories affiliated to the Presidency of National Palaces.
• Thematic Tours are held with 3 or more full fare ticket.