Büyükada, which literally translates to “Big Island”, is the biggest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands. It’s the most frequently visited of the islands and probably has the most attractions.
Perhaps the reason the island of Heybeliada is internationally known is the controversy surrounding Halki Seminary (Θεολογική Σχολή Χάλκης), which sits on a hill just above town. It’s the main school of theology for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Heybeliada is the second biggest of the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul. It makes for a nice, relaxing day trip from the bustling and chaotic mainland.
If you plan on traveling around Turkey for a couple weeks, you might want to invest in the Museum Pass Türkiye.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum (Sadberk Hanım Müzesi) is a fantastic private museum in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s housed in a pair of historic mansions in the village of Büyükdere, which is on the European side of the Bosporus in the Sarıyer district.
Beykoz is a pleasant village on the Asian side of the Bosporus in Istanbul, located in the district of the same name. It’s a nice place to spend some time.
Sarıyer is a village on the European side of the Bosporus in Istanbul, Turkey. It lies in the Sarıyer district between Büyükdere and Rumeli Kavağı.
Elmadağ is a small neighborhood in the district of Şişli, Istanbul, Turkey. It sits very near to Taksim Square and the hotel zone of Talimhane. There’s not much to see in Elmadağ unless you’re into architecture.
