About an hour by ferry from the centre of Istanbul lies a small archipelago where the pace of life changes completely. The Princes' Islands (Adalar in Turkish) are nine islands in the Sea of Marmara with no private cars: you get around on foot, by bicycle or in the small electric vehicles that replaced the old horse-drawn carriages. For the people of Istanbul they are the classic summer escape; for visitors they are one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from the city.
Büyükada: the main island
Büyükada ("Big Island") is the largest and most visited island of the group. From the ferry pier, its main street, lined with elegant 19th-century wooden mansions, leads towards the hill of Aya Yorgi. At the top, the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St George, whose origins go back to Byzantine times, looks out over the Sea of Marmara and the distant skyline of Istanbul.
These are the things I would not miss on Büyükada:
- Hire a bicycle and ride the full loop around the island (about 9 km). The route takes you past pine woods, historic mansions and small hidden beaches.
- Climb the hill of Aya Yorgi for the best views of the whole archipelago. The final stretch is steep, but every step is worth it.
- Have a fish lunch at one of the restaurants around the harbour, with the sea right in front of you.
- Visit the Museum of the Princes' Islands (Adalar Müzesi) to discover the multicultural history of the archipelago, where Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Turkish communities have all left their mark.
On the island's other hill stands the huge, derelict Greek Orphanage, said to be the largest wooden building in Europe. It is closed to the public, but even from outside it is an extraordinary sight.
Heybeliada: the quiet alternative
Heybeliada is the second-largest island and far calmer than Büyükada: the one to choose if you would rather avoid the crowds. Its landmark is the Theological School of Halki, a 19th-century Greek Orthodox seminary perched on the island's highest hill and surrounded by pine forest. Closed since 1971, the school has been restored and its reopening was still being discussed at the time of writing (2026), so check before you go whether its grounds are open to visitors.
Heybeliada's beaches are easier to reach and less busy than Büyükada's, ideal for a refreshing swim in summer.
How to get to the Princes' Islands
City ferries leave from Kabataş on the European side and Kadıköy on the Asian side, with further sailings from Beşiktaş and Bostancı. The crossing to Büyükada takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on where you board and how many islands the ferry calls at on the way; the faster sea buses take around 45 minutes. On the city ferries you simply tap your Istanbulkart, the same card you use for the tram and the metro.
In high season (April to October) ferries run every 30–60 minutes at the time of writing (2026). In winter the timetable thins out, but the islands have a special charm in the rain or the fog, with hardly any visitors around.
Practical tips
- Avoid summer weekends if you want peace and quiet: the islands fill up with day-trippers from the city.
- Bring sun cream and water. There is little shade on the walks and cycle routes.
- In summer the last ferry back leaves at around 21:00–22:00; always check the timetable on the day.
- For a more local feel, visit Burgazada or Kınalıada, the smaller islands, where far fewer visitors get off the ferry.
- The crossing itself, with the Istanbul skyline slowly receding behind you, is half the pleasure of the trip, so try to find a seat outside on deck.
If you would like to fit the islands into a longer stay in Istanbul, tell me your dates and I will build them into your itinerary.