The Princes' Islands are composed of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. Some of these islands are known as Adalar (Islands) in general in Turkish and their names are Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada.
The Princes' Islands are composed of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. There are regular passenger ferries and fast passenger ferries (sea bus) to the four of the islands from different piers of the city; from Sirkeci, from Kabatas, and from Bostanci districts. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the islands except the ones belonging to local municipality for public works, so people walk or rent a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage, even a donkey. These are nice little islands where local people have their summer homes or go there for small beaches and for picnicking, or just to wonder around at the weekends.
Some of these islands are known as Adalar (Islands) in general in Turkish and their names are Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada.
The name of the islands come from the Byzantine period, when princes and empresses were exiled there. But during the Ottoman period, especially around 19th century with the use of steamboats, these islands became a popular resorts for Istanbul's rich people, building their wooden houses. Jewish, Greek and Armenian communities were a large part of the inhabitants of the islands. Today, the islands are popular tourist destinations for daily excursions especially during summer months. There are many monasteries and historic buildings on the islands, besides Victorian style old wooden mansions.
There are regular passenger ferries and fast passenger ferries (sea bus) to the four of the islands from different piers of the city; from Sirkeci, from Kabatas, and from Bostanci districts. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the islands except the ones belonging to local municipality for public works, so people walk or rent a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage, even a donkey. These are nice little islands where local people have their summer homes or go there for small beaches and for picnicking, or just to wonder around at the weekends.
BUYUKADA : It is the largest and the most famous of this Islands chain. There are several small hotels where people stay for the weekend. Some of the historical buildings are Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery from 6th century, Ayios Dimitrios Church, Hristos Church and Monastery, and Hamidiye Mosque built by sultan Abdulhamit II
A long route or a short route can be chosen to visit the island when you rent a carriage. Unlike the calm and forested southern part, the northern part of Buyukada is a heavy residential area being close to the pier, therefore most of the private yachts anchor on the southern tip.
Dil promontory is a favorite spot for picnickers, and Yoruk Ali beach is open to the public for swimmers. There are many restaurants, cafeterias and shops situated around the pier.
A trip to the Princes' Islands ("The Islands" or "Adalar" to the Turks) is part of a standard Istanbul itinerary,
Here are some practical tips on visiting the islands:
1) Visit early. Allow at least one day for visiting the islands. Ideally, you should be able to catch the second ferry at about 9 am (first of 9 ferries leaves at 7 am) so that you would have plenty of time for island-hopping. The ferries are docked at the Sirkeci ferry terminal - look for the "Adalar Iskelesi" sign. Be prepared to "squeeze" through a phalanx of visitors especially during summer and spring.
2) Load up your akbil to avoid the inconvenience of queuing up for tickets. One of the good things about traveling around Istanbul is that access to the public transport system is so efficiently facilitated by the akbil. More on this under my Istanbul transporation tips.
3) The beach in Kinaliada, the ferry's first stop, is pebbly, and may be a disappointment for those expecting something better. Still, it does not prevent some visitors from taking a dip.
4) If you plan to walk all the way up to the Hagia Triada Monastery in Heybeliada, watch out for the HUGE dog along Rafah Sehitleri Caddesi, which could REALLY be scary. An alternative is to rent a bike or ride a fayton (horsedrawn carriage). I neither did both, so I did encounter the dog on my way up.
5) When ordering food from one of the many waterfront restaurants in Heybeliada, make sure you ask the price before doing so. A friend got ripped-off in one of these restaurants.
6) Stop by the small shop serving homemade dondurma (ice cream) in front of the ferry terminal in Buyukada. It's a good way to "cool down" after a day's tour of the islands before heading back to Istanbul.
7) Take with you a good sun screen. The sun is scorching hot during summer.