The Princes’ Islands in Istanbul are a popular day trip to escape from the city. Each island has something different to offer.
The Church of St. George (Aya Yorgi in Turkish) is a peaceful place at the top of the highest hill on the island of Büyükada, in the Princes’ Islands of Istanbul. It’s not typically a priority for tourists, but it’s a unique place to visit.
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 Bosphorus in the Sarıyer district.
Beykoz is a pleasant village on the Asian side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, located in the district of the same name. It’s a nice place to spend some time.
Garipçe is a small, isolated fishing village on the shores of the Bosphorus. It makes for a great day trip for those who want to get away from the chaos of Istanbul.
Sarıyer is a village on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It lies in the Sarıyer district between Büyükdere and Rumeli Kavağı.