Last updated on December 28, 2023.

Going to the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul feels like a special occasion. They’re technically still within the city limits, but when you step off the ferry you immediately feel like you’re in a different world. With daily ferry service to four of the nine islands to choose from, each island has something different to offer on a memorable day trip.

 

History

Why are they called the Princes’ Islands? During the Byzantine Empire, many Byzantine princes and deposed emperors and empresses were exiled to the islands. Some Ottoman sultans continued the tradition.

Nowadays, you’ll find many beautiful wooden Ottoman homes, some restored and some run down, and quiet forests to walk through. You should be able to find beaches as well.

 

Ferries

Ferry service to the four biggest islands, Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada, leaves from Kabataş and Kadıköy with the Istanbul City Ferry lines (İstanbul Şehir Hatları). Be prepared for a long journey. It takes about 50 minutes from Kabataş to Kınalıada, the first island, and 100 minutes to Büyükada, the last island.

City Ferry lines also have less frequent service from Beşiktaş. If you’re on the Asian side, there are a few ferries from Bostancı that are a bit shorter.

Another choice are the direct fast ferries operating to Heybeliada and Büyükada. They leave from Beşiktaş, Kabataş, and Eminönü with Dentur Avrasya and Mavi Marmara.

You’ll be able to use your Istanbulkart to board the ferries. There’s no public service to most of the other smaller islands. All ferry terminals for departure are current as of October 2023.

Ferry terminal on Heybeliada

If you’re lucky, you might get some entertainment during the long ferry ride. There have been some comical salesmen along for some of the journeys. They sell simple kitchen gadgets and make a fun show out of them for the tourists.

 

When to Go

It’s best to go to the islands as early in the day as possible, and NOT on weekends or holidays. You’ll want to beat the crowds. The ferries get jam packed with both tourists and locals, and it can be difficult to find a seat on the way there. The earlier the better. On the way back, it’s usually not so crowded.

A packed ferry on the way to the Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
A packed ferry

 

Getting Around

Once on the islands, you’ll notice there are no cars allowed. How do you get around? On the smaller islands, Burgazada and Kınalıada, I always walk. On the bigger islands, however, it’s more difficult to get to certain points.

Bikes are a popular and inexpensive way to get around the islands. You can rent them hourly or for the day by leaving an ID with a rental agency. It’s more economical to rent by the day. I always rent a bike on Büyükada and Heybeliada.

 

Faytons (No Longer Available)

Faytons (phaetons) are horse-drawn carriages that can take you from point-to-point on each island or on an “island tour”, all for set prices. They used to be a very popular way for tourists to get around on the islands. Thankfully, faytons were replaced with electric carriages in early 2020 due to numerous cases of mistreatment of the horses. The horses were often look underfed and not very well cared for.

Fayton on Büyükada, Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
Fayton

Another problem with faytons was that some drivers would try to rip you off by telling you parts of the island were “closed” and that the “grand tour” was the only service available. Sometimes the fees got very expensive and queues could be very long during peak seasons. Also, the horses often crapped all over the streets which made the islands smell less than appealing. In any case, the electric carriages are a welcome replacement for the faytons.

 

Food

Eating on each island is usually a little more expensive than eating on the mainland, but there are some great fish restaurants to be found.

 

The Islands

Here’s a short description of each island:

Kınalıada is the smallest island and usually the first stop from points on the European side or Kadıköy. There’s a small beach next to the pier.

Kınalıada, Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
Kınalıada

Burgazada, the third largest island, has the unfortunate position as the second stop on the ferry, which also makes it the least visited. On a positive note, it’s the most peaceful. Because of this, it happens to be my favorite.

Burgazada, Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
Burgazada

Heybeliada is the second biggest island and third stop, home to the Halki Seminary.

Heybeliada, Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
Heybeliada

Büyükada is the last stop and biggest island. It’s the most visited of all the islands with the most attractions. It can get very crowded in summer, especially on weekends. It’s also the home of the popular Greek Orthodox Church of St. George (Aya Yorgi).

Büyükada, Princes' Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
Büyükada

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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