Turkey Tour] Prince’s Island: Istanbul’s Most Charming Outlying Islands
Most travelers to Istanbul choose the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia’s Cathedral or the Grand Bazaar as their top attractions. But it turns out that just an hour’s boat ride away from the city of Istanbul lies a charming group of islands called the Princes’ Islands, a favorite weekend getaway for Istanbulites! Let us show you the Princes’ Islands today, and explore this secret destination that combines history, nature and slow living!
Origin of Princes’ Islands
The Princes’ Islands (Adalar, meaning “islands” in Turkish) are a small group of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, four of which are open to the public. This seemingly quiet group of islands has an unexpectedly dark history. During the Byzantine period in the Middle Ages, in order to avoid power struggles, the royal family exiled princes who might threaten the throne to these islands, and many of them were blinded or executed on the islands. Later, during the Ottoman Empire, this tradition was continued by banishing political prisoners and unpopular members of the royal family to the island, hence the name “Princes’ Island”.
Later the island became a summer resort for wealthy merchants and ethnic minorities (Greeks, Armenians and Jews), who built many magnificent wooden Victorian villas on the island, which have slowly become a tourist attraction for the people of Istanbul today.
▼The Prince’s Island is a comfortable place to rest and vacation (Photo courtesy of tooistanbul) 
Getting to the Princes’ Islands from Istanbul
Access to the Prince’s Islands from Istanbul is temporarily only possible by ferry, and there are currently three main departure terminals:
- Kabataş: closest to Taksim Square, which can be reached by cable car or on foot.
- Eminönü: near Galata Bridge and the New Mosque.
- Bostancı: located in the Asian area, suitable for travelers living on the Asian side of the city
There are three ferry companies serving the area: Şehir Hatları is a municipal ferry, which is cheaper but less frequent; IDO is a private fast ferry, which is more expensive but faster; and Marmaray serves mainly the Asian area and can be used in conjunction with the metro.
The slow boat to Prince’s Island takes about 1.5 hours, while the fast boat takes only 45 minutes, and the price of the ticket varies depending on the boat company, usually around 15-35 liras. During peak season, you should arrive at the pier about 30 minutes early to queue up for the ferry. In addition, some ferry trips may be canceled during the winter season, so be sure to check the schedule before you go.
▼Reservations for Prince’s Islands▼
Island Transportation
There are no private cars on Prince’s Island, so residents mainly use electric cars or golf carts to get around. There are also buses to all parts of the island, which can be paid for with the Istanbul Card, making it very convenient. In addition, we must introduce you to the most special form of transportation on the Prince’s Island: the horse-drawn carriage! Even the local police officers patrol on horseback, so it’s very stylish! If you want to experience horseback riding or a carriage ride, this is the place to do it.
Horse-drawn carts are a common means of transportation on the Prince’s Island (Photo courtesy of the Tokoyami Times) 
Five Must-See Islands and Attractions in the Prince Islands
1. Büyükada (also known as the Big Island) – the largest and most bustling of the main islands
- Aya Yorgi Church: Located at the highest point of the island, it’s a steep climb, but the 360-degree view of the sea is well worth it. The wish-labels here are said to be particularly magical!
- Victoria Wooden Villas: Stroll through the Dil Burnu and Nizam neighborhoods to see the gorgeous late 19th century architecture.
- Luna Park: the site of a former amusement park is now a great place for picnics and sunsets!
- Prussian Princes Museum: Learn about the lives of the exiled Ottoman princes.
▼The island is full of European and Greek flavors (Source: istanbul.goturkiye) 
2. Heybeliada – a nature lover’s paradise
- Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: an important religious center of the Byzantine period.
- Naval Officers’ School: a landmark building built during the Ottoman Empire.
- Değirmenburnu Park: an excellent picnic and swimming spot Hiking route around the island: about 2-3 hours for the entire walk
▼The island of Hai Belyada, though relatively small, retains both European and Greek architecture (Source: istanbul.goturkiye) 
3. Burgazada – the island of artists
- Museum at the home of the famous writer Sait Faik: a must-visit for lovers of Turkish literature.
- Kalpazankaya Restaurant: a stunning cliff-side restaurant specializing in fresh seafood.
- Hidden coves: ideal for swimming and sunbathing
▼ Many of the restaurants and houses here are close to the sea, and the food is very fresh! (Photo courtesy of istanbul.goturkiye) 
4. Kınalıada – The Minority Choice
- Tranquility for the least tourists
- Quality beach clubs
- A perfect day to escape the hustle and bustle of the city
▼This island is the most relaxing and tranquil of the four (Source: istanbul tourist information) 
Three Must-Do Activities on Prince’s Island
Prince’s Island Activities – 1. Hiking / Cycling Around the Island
Each island has a clearly marked walking route, along which you can enjoy the sea view and historical buildings. If you don’t want to go around the island on your own two feet, I highly recommend renting a bicycle for a day for only 30 lira, which is very cheap.
▼The Prince’s Island is a small island, so renting a bicycle is a popular option for most people (Photo courtesy of sportsoho) 
Prince’s Island Must-Do Activities – 2. Swimming
The crystal clear water of Princes’ Island attracts many Istanbulites to swim here during the summer months. However, most of the beaches are privately owned and you have to pay to swim, but umbrellas and rinsing equipment are included, which I personally think is well worth it. At Yörükali Plajı on the Big Island, locals will jump off the rocks into the sea to push the limits.
▼There are many beautiful beaches on Prince’s Island, perfect for swimming in summer 
Prince’s Island Must Do – 3. Traditional Turkish Seafood Tasting
Surrounded by sea, the Princes’ Islands are rich in seafood, and the restaurants offer fresh seafood every day – I’ve tried it and it’s really fresh and cheap, so I recommend it! You can first choose the seafood you want to eat in the restaurant, and then discuss with the store about the cooking method, usually pan-fried, deep-fried, baked is the main. In addition, it is also recommended to taste the frozen small dishes, all of which are special Turkish appetizers, you can taste the traditional flavor.
Most of the seafood on ▼Prince’s Island is very fresh, and I highly recommend that you try it! 
Tips for Visiting the Prince’s Islands
Best Season to Visit
The best months to visit Prince’s Island are April-October, with July-August being the hottest months but very good for swimming.
Recommended Length of Stay
If you don’t plan to island hop, you can visit the big island in one day, but I recommend you to stay for one night to experience the beauty of the small islands, and you can also visit the 4 small islands.
Accommodation
There are many boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts on Prince’s Island, mainly on the Big Island, so if you are going in summer, you need to book in advance.
Spending
Spending here is slightly higher than in Istanbul, especially in the restaurants on the beach near the pier. If you want to eat more cheaply, I recommend going to restaurants farther away from the pier, but next to the beach, where the prices are more affordable.
▼Reservations for Prince’s Island▼
