Princes’ Islands (Adalar)

The Idyllic Beauty of The Princes’ Islands

Visiting Istanbul is a fast paced affair. You’re always on the go, always listening to traffic, always dodging people, and always trying to get somewhere. It’s a place that is quite exhausting, although quite magical at the same time. The thing is, in the middle of all that rushing around, you might hanker after something a little more sedate, something idyllic, serene even. Why not head over to the Princes’ Islands?

The Princes’ Islands are a lesser known part of Istanbul, but they couldn’t be further away from hustle and bustle if they tried. Some of these islands are so small and undeveloped that they don’t allow cars on them, and that means quiet, natural, serene, and literally peaceful.

You can just hear the silence now!

About The Princes’ Islands

The Princes’ Islands are nine islands which sit off the coast of Istanbul, on the Asian side, surrounded by the Sea of Marmara. You can easily reach these islands for a day trip via a ferry from either Besiktas, Kadikoy, Kabatas and Bostanci, to name just a few ports which have regular trips over to these islands. If you’re considering simply jumping on the ferry and exploring, and the coming back in the evening, simply check the time of the last ferry and be sure to get the up to date seasonal times, as they return a little earlier during the winter months. You can however also book a guided tour if you prefer.

We mentioned the lack of traffic, and that is because cars and any kind of motor vehicles are not allowed on the Princes’ Islands, apart from ones which belong to the local council for repairs. That means you have to either rent a bike and cycle, walk, or you can jump on in a horse-drawn carriage for the touristic ride which will have the romantic side of you coming out in no time!

The Princes’ Islands feel as far away from Istanbul as you can get, but they’re really not that far at all, at just over 17.5km away from the shoreline. Many locals own summer houses here and venture over for vacations, or rent somewhere and head over at the weekends.

Out of the nine islands, there are only five which are inhabited and the others have no settlements on them at all. The inhabited ones are Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, and Sedefada. Sedefada is only slightly inhabited and therefore much less popular. Kasik Adasi is a private island and general visitors are not permitted to head there, and Tavsan Adasi, Sivriada, and Yassiada are uninhabited.

The islands were all named during the Byzantine era, and many members of royalty were placed in exile on these islands. As the Ottomans arrived and into the 19th century, the islands became leisure hotspots. There are many different stunning beaches, walking trails, and natural things to do on these islands, as well as 19th century wooden mansions, built in Victorian style, and monasteries to explore.

Buyukada – The Largest of the Princes’ Islands

We can’t talk about every one of the islands in terms of everything there is to see and do, but we can talk about the latest and most popular island, and therefore give you an overview of the Princes’ Islands in general.

Buyukada is around 5.4 square kilometres in area, and a general population of around 7500 people all year around. In the summer however, this increases dramatically, either from those staying for a few days, or just visiting for a few hours. Buyukada is home to several historical spots, including Ayios Dimitrios Church, Aya Yorgi Church, dating back to the 6th century, and Hamidiye Mosque, which was ordered to be constructed by Sultan Abdulhamit II.

Getting around the island request a bike or a horse drawn carriage, or of course you could walk! The southern part of the island is full of forests and is quite chilled out and calm, however the north is where you’ll find the most development, including private boats from those wealthy visitors with summer houses.

In the west, there are several public beaches, which are wonderful for swimming during the summer months, although not advisable during winter! Kumsal Beach and Princess Beach are two of the most popular, and there are several shops, cafes and restaurants around this area too. If you want to learn more about the islands in general, you’ll find a small museum around this part of the island too.

There are a few small guest houses and hotels on Buyukada, however these are quite high in price and if you drop in expecting a room to be free, you might be disappointed! For that reason, book well ahead of time, or make sure you know what time the last ferry departs.

A Break From The Hustle and Bustle

Overall, a day on one of the Princes’ Islands is a great tide and something that everyone should try and do once. Ferries still head over to the islands during the winter months, although obviously there are less things to do than in the summer. This is a very outdoorsy place, and most activities depend upon the weather, such as walking, swimming, and generally enjoying the natural setting.

As a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city vibe however, this is the perfect way to unwind and let your ears adjust back to peace and quiet!