The Princes' Islands, located near Istanbul, are one of the local attractions. It was there that the most ancient architectural monuments and customs were preserved. If you're looking for a way to escape industrialization, this corner of the globe is a must-visit. In the meantime, we offer a virtual walk. So…
Princes' Islands: location
These nine islands, called Kiziladalar, represent an entire archipelago located in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul. They all have different areas - from 0.004 to 5.4 square kilometers, and some of them are so small that the very fact of their existence seems strange.
The largest of them is Prinkipos, and the smallest is Tavshanadasy. In those days when the Byzantine Empire existed, all persons close to the ruling elite and disliked by it were sent to these lands into exile. In the 19th century, wealthy Jews, Armenians and Greeks who lived in Constantinople began to vacation there. The islands are inhabited mainly by Turks, however, there are also Jewish and Greek communities.
The Princes' Islands, Istanbul and the whole of Turkey in general are not fans of road transport; everyone here tries to walk as often as possible. However, this is most noticeable on the islands; it is here that you can mentally go back in time several centuries ago. Cars are prohibited in this corner of Turkey; horse-drawn vehicles and bicycles are acceptable.
If such a trip does not scare you, you can enjoy the silence, panoramic views, aromas of flowers and greenery, and also visit the famous beaches of the Marmara Sea. Local residents also prefer to relax on these islands, but they rarely succeed due to the large influx of tourists all year round.
Features of the islands
Densely populated is Büyükada, the island where Leon Trotsky once lived after his expulsion from the Soviet Union. The revolution brought many white emigrants here (in particular, Dmitry Golitsyn lived on the island until the end of his days). At the beginning of the 20th century, more than 200 gold bars were found here. Scientists suggest that they could belong to relatives of Alexander the Great.
The Turks associate the Prince's Islands with the celebrities who live there. In general, more than 10 thousand people live on the archipelago; ferries run between the four largest islands. Kashikadası Island is generally private property and is closed to tourists.
How to get there by ferry?
How to get to Princes' Islands from Istanbul? The easiest way to do this is by ferry. The trip will take no more than an hour and a half, and during this time you will be able to admire the entire archipelago and the Sea of Marmara. To travel, you will first need to use tram No. 38 - it is the one that will take you to the Kabatash ferry crossing.
You can take a ferry from the Asian part of Istanbul, where crossings are located in the Bostanci and Kartal neighborhoods, and you can get to them by bus or taxi. Most of the crossings are serviced by municipal enterprises; there are very few private operators here, which is explained by the policy of the Istanbul leadership, which considers it a priority to first give work to government agencies.
In winter, the ferry makes few trips; their number approximately doubles only during the tourist season. The cost of a one-way ticket is approximately 5-6 liras, the interval between trips is approximately two hours. The ferry can accommodate up to 1,500 people, so it is best to try to get the most comfortable seat possible.
Alternative message option
So, your goal is the Princes' Islands. How to get to them without resorting to ferry services? A similar question is asked by those who cannot stand large numbers of people and love active recreation. There is an alternative option - sea taxi. It is much more comfortable, but it will also cost more compared to the ferry.
By taxi you can get to the islands in about an hour, and it will cost about 400 liras for a one-way trip. You can rent such transport near the Galata Bridge; this is where a large number of private cab drivers work, who will be happy to give you a ride.
What to watch and where to go?
The Princes' Islands (Istanbul) are literally saturated with oriental culture; here everyone can feel this atmosphere and be transported back in time several centuries ago. Tourists will have vivid impressions after visiting the largest island - Buyokada. It was here that heirs to the throne, ladies of the court and elderly monks were previously exiled.
The local convent, built by the Byzantine Empress Irene, subsequently played a fatal role for her: she was exiled to the island after the revolution. You should definitely visit it, as well as the neighborhoods intended for walking - Nizam Mahalle and Maden Mahalle. You should also definitely visit the amusement park, located between two hills and villages.
One of the key features of the archipelago is tolerance and peaceful attitude towards each other. Representatives of 11 religions live here, including Catholics, Orthodox, Muslims, etc. Numerous sources of water will allow everyone to drink plenty in hot weather and even swim if necessary.
Beaches of the archipelago
The beaches of the Princes' Islands - Nakibey, Princes, Kumsal, Yeruk Ali - are very popular among the local population. A sandy bottom, changing cabins, sun loungers and numerous cafes - all this creates excellent conditions for relaxation. It should be remembered that all local residents wear one-piece swimsuits; this is required by their religious customs, so it is important to respond adequately to this fact.
The most popular beaches are located on the island of Buyokada; all others are more modest in size and scattered throughout the archipelago. There are also paid zones among them. Entrance costs approximately 10 Turkish lira, children are allowed in for free. You will enjoy your holiday on the shores of the Marmara Sea so much that you will not want to leave home.
Where to stay?
If you decide to relax for several days, you need to take care of accommodation, and it is best to do this in advance. The Princes' Islands, whose hotels are booked on average 2-3 months in advance, are in constant demand among both tourists and local residents. The cost of living here varies, everything will depend on the size of the room, as well as the category of hotel and apartment.
The most popular hotels are Ascot Hotel Buyukada Istanbul, Ada Palas Butik Otel and Buyukada Comfort Hotel; they are distinguished by relatively low prices and high service.
On average, a decent room on the archipelago can be found for 4-5 thousand rubles per day. Local tourism organizations try to keep the service at a high level, so you can count on cordiality and hospitality. Tour operators quite often offer “last minute tours” to their clients, so you can try to seize the moment and relax in this piece of paradise at bargain prices.
Conclusion
The Princes' Islands are waiting for everyone who wants to enjoy a wonderful holiday, take a walk around the local attractions and temporarily forget about the noise of big cities. On the way you can get acquainted with Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, which at one time occupied one of the leading positions in the region.
There are guides on the islands who will be happy to take you to the most interesting places in the archipelago. It is best to attend excursions in groups, this will help save a considerable amount. Immigrants from Russia often vacation on the islands, so finding a suitable company will not be difficult.
We spent one of the warm May days on the Princes' Islands near Istanbul. On the third day of our stay in Istanbul, we planned a trip somewhere outside the city. We chose from two options:
- Princes' Islands (Adalary), which are about an hour and a half ferry ride from the city
- Thermal springs in Yalova
Princes' Islands or Adalar
So, Prince's Islands which are often called Adalarami(“Adalar” means “island”) is a group of 9 islands that are located in the Sea of Marmara at a distance of 18-35 km from Istanbul. Previously, there were 10 of these islands, but one of them went under water during the earthquake, now only 9 islands remain.
Four of these islands are inhabited and open to the public, these are the islands:
- and the largest Adalar - Buyukada
One Island Kashikadasy is private property, the other four islands are uninhabited. In total, about 10 thousand people live on Adalary.
The Princes' Islands received this name from the fact that during the Byzantine Empire, people from the noble class who were disliked by the rulers were sent into exile here. Later, when the islands were captured by the Turks in 1453, they were also used for exile. In the 19th century, rich Turks began to build dachas and country houses on Adalary. Now this is a favorite vacation spot for Istanbul residents. Some come here for the weekend, some live all summer.
Sometimes the Princes' Islands are also called Kizil Adalari, i.e. red islands, due to the color of the soil on them.
Princes' Islands Istanbul: how to get there
You can get to the Princes' Islands by ferry from the Asian part of the city from the piers:
- Bostanci
- Kadikoy
- Kartal
Or from the piers from the European part of Istanbul:
- Eminönü
- Kabatash
Transportation is carried out by several companies; currently ferries operate to the Princes' Islands of the following companies:
- Şehir Hatları
- Dentur (operate only in the warm season)
The schedule changes frequently; in the photo, the ferry schedule to the Princes' Islands from Dentur:
I advise you to check the ferry schedule on the following websites:
Cost of ferry Şehir Hatları to Adalari
Ferry cost from Dentur
- 10 liras one way, Istanbul cards NOT valid
How to get to the Princes' Islands from Sultanahmet?
You need to get to one of the piers and take the ferry there. At the moment (summer 2019), the most convenient way is to use the Eminonu pier, from which Şehir Hatları ferries depart. This pier is located next to the Eminönü tram T1 stop nearby.
How we visited the Princes' Islands
We were guided by the schedule of the Dentur company, which I photographed the day before the trip, when we sailed to Kabatas before visiting the fortress. The first ferry leaves at 9:30, but we thought it was very early and decided to take the ferry at 10:30. I thought for a long time about which island to sail to, which ones are best to see: I read that the island of Heybeliada is very good, but for some reason the most popular is Buyukada. We decided to visit the most popular island for the first time.
We got to the Kabatash pier by tram (I wrote about public transport in Istanbuy in), there, at the tram stop, we put money on an Istanbul card to pay for travel to the islands and ran to the ferry. Near the Dentur ticket office there was a sign that tickets cost 10 liras. I asked if it was possible to pay with an Istanbul card, and they told me that it was not possible. Oh, why did we put so much money on the card then? After all, the next day we had to leave Istanbul and we wouldn’t have spent that much money anyway. At the same time, as I already wrote, the balance from the Istanbul card is not refundable.
Then we decided to go to the neighboring pier (if you look at the sea, the Dentur pier is to the left of the tram stop, and we walked, or rather ran, to catch the ferry, to the right, to another pier). This is the pier of the municipal ferry to the Princes' Islands and here you could pay for the Istanbul fare with a card. Traveling along it costs 5.2 liras.
We went into the waiting room and were horrified by the number of people!
Everyone wants to go to the Princes' Islands! 🙂 We realized that going to the Princes' Islands on a day off (which was Saturday) was not a good idea. But there was no turning back 🙂 And I really wanted to go to the sea, outside the city.
We managed to get on the ferry among the first and took seats on the upper open deck.
There were more and more people, and soon there was not only no way to sit down, but also to stand on the deck. There were tourists here (very loud and uncultured Italians of retirement age sat next to us and constantly smoked) and local residents, mostly young people and families with children.
Finally we set sail. The weather was sunny and quite warm, but everything was foggy, so the photos weren’t very clear.
After about 15 minutes, the ferry makes a stop in the Asian part of Istanbul at the Kadikoy pier:
And I don’t understand where this large crowd of people who want to sail fit in :)
Then the ferry sailed along the Sea of Marmara, seagulls accompanied us all the way. In good weather, you can see the entire Asian coast of Istanbul, but we were accompanied by fog, which gave us a not very pleasant surprise, but we didn’t know about this at that moment, but simply enjoyed the sun and sea breeze on the deck of the ship.
Kynalyada Island
About an hour later we landed on the first island - . Some people went ashore, but most planned to swim further. We are sitting, waiting for departure. So 15 minutes passed, and the ferry was not sailing anywhere. A little later, something was announced over the loudspeaker in Turkish and English. But the noise made it very difficult to make out anything. I understood one thing: the ferry cannot sail yet. But why is not clear. Either he ran out of gas or something else.
A few minutes later, another ship from Istanbul sailed up, stood next to ours, and people from the newly arrived ferry began to move onto our ferry. It all seemed very strange to us. I went downstairs to find out what was going on. From the conversations I understood only one thing: until the ferries sail anywhere. And why is not clear. After a walk along the street near the pier, I returned to the deck again. And the sun began to get hotter and hotter. We decided to take a walk around the island, since we had already arrived on it and were waiting for something unknown. But it was scary to go far, in case the ferry suddenly took over and sailed away without us. So we just walked down the street a little and returned to the boat again. And then we learned that the ferry was not sailing because of the fog, that navigation was now completely closed, and it was not known whether we would sail from here at all today. Of course, such information did not make us happy, but we did not panic, like many who had a plane that evening! So take this scenario into account when you sail to the Princes’ Islands, or anywhere on the water in general. After all, I had the idea of sailing to the islands on the last day of my stay in Istanbul!
We went for a walk around Kynalyada Island. Let's go to the right, if you stand with your back to the sea. There is an embankment along the sea, along which palm trees are planted.
Near the pier there is a small beach and a cafe. We wanted to sit and drink beer here, but we still hoped that the ferry would depart soon.
There are beautiful houses here, but so far (the month of May) there are very few people.
We pass the island of Burgazada - a very nice island Buyukada Island
About forty minutes later, having refreshed ourselves with a bun and coffee at the bar, we arrived on the island Buyukada.
We sail to the island of Buyukada It is the largest of all the Princes' Islands and the most popular. The area of the island is about 5.4 square meters. m. Population is about 7,335 people. Leon Trotsky lived on Büyükada for four years. There is a mosque and many churches on the island. The monastery of St. George is located high on the mountain, but we didn’t get into it; there was no time left to explore the island.
Having landed on the island, the first thing we did was find out when the last ferry to Istanbul would be. Nobody really could say anything. According to the schedule, the last ferry was at 20:45, but it was scary to count on it, because in order for it to sail at 20:45 a ferry had to arrive from Istanbul. The next flight was at 18:30. And we arrived on the island at 17:15. We had just over an hour to explore the island.
We walked a little along the piers and looked for the departure schedule for ships of other companies. We didn’t understand anything, all the signs were in Turkish, we just saw a huge line of people wanting to sail away from the island.
We decided to walk a little and return to the ferry at 18:30.
The island greeted us with a large crowd of people in the central square
The central square near the pier is always crowded here 
There are also many restaurants and coffee shops here. Buyukada Island is famous for its delicious fresh fish. We wanted to eat, but we didn't have time for it.
There is also a clock tower right there; usually, if someone gets lost, they default to the clock tower
On every corner they sell the hit of the season - headbands with flowers.
It is worth noting that any transport is prohibited on the Princes' Islands. You can use:
- only carriages with horses (phaeton)
- rent a bike.
- They are about to ban horse-drawn carts and launch electric cars instead...
When we went to Buyukada, we planned that we would take a carriage with horses and ride around the island on it.
- Cost per cart (1 hour round) - 80 liras
- Bicycle rental - 10 liras per hour
You can book an individual excursion “” with a Russian-speaking guide and get to know the island of Buyukada in great detail.
This is the transport on Adalary We didn’t have much time and we decided to walk a little and see at least some of the sights of the Princes’ Islands :) We went to the right along the coast. From the observation point there is a view of the pier, a crowd of people and our boat.
Everything is blooming everywhere. The acacia was already blooming there in May!
And what a smell of pine there is! There is also an observation deck high in the mountains on Büyükada, which offers a magnificent view of the sea and the Princes’ Islands.
The island has several beaches, entrance to which is 40 liras per person.
But, unfortunately, we had to return to the pier. We didn’t want to stay on the island overnight, because we had a plane back to Moscow the next day. Although, if possible, I would live for a couple of days on the Princes' Islands. All conditions for this have been created here. You can rent a house, or you can stay in a hotel.
And we ran to the ferry. We made it on time and a few minutes later our boat set off on its return voyage to Istanbul. Goodbye Princes' Islands! We will definitely come back.
A short video about our trip to the Princes' Islands
And on the way back we watched a magnificent sunset over Istanbul
And admired the Maiden Tower in the rays of sunset
And then we still had enough strength to go down to the subway and go to the shopping center for shopping! But shopping in Istanbul is a different story :)
If you are going to Istanbul and choosing an area and a hotel to stay, I advise you to read these articles.
The Princes' Islands owe their name to a specific function that they performed during the times of first the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire: they were a place of exile for crowned persons and other nobility whose stay at court seemed undesirable to one or another ruler. It is unlikely that the “prisoners” could feel at all unhappy among the surrounding beauty, but the fact remains a fact.
Only in the 19th century did people begin to settle on Adalary voluntarily. Enterprising and far-sighted representatives of the Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities appreciated the opportunity to spend the summer surrounded by picturesque nature away from the bustling Constantinople and chose the Princes' Islands to build their seasonal villas here. The Turks appeared on the archipelago after the end of the First World War, when they purchased a yacht club on the territory of Buyukada for local parliamentarians. By the way, it is the diversity of the national composition that has led to an interesting mix of architectural styles, which experienced travelers will certainly note.
Today, the Princes' Islands are one of the favorite holiday destinations for Istanbul residents in the warm season. On weekends, you may encounter the problem of heavy congestion of water transport and catering establishments along its route. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your trip to the Princes' Islands on a weekday morning.
Island with henna – Kynalyada
Kynalyada is a small area and the closest piece of land to the city, however, not many passengers get off at this stop, because there are much more stones (albeit of different types) here than vegetation pleasing to the eye. If you decide to explore the surrounding area, pay attention to the unique symbiosis of religions. On one and a half square kilometers there are not only various ethnic communities, but also a Muslim mosque built in the middle of the last century, Greek and Armenian churches. In addition, the top of one of the hills is crowned by the monastery of Christ, where almost a thousand years ago Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes ended his days, blinded by his rivals in the struggle for the throne.
Burgazada hill island
The second name - Antigoni - was given to the island of Burgazada (Burgaz) by the founder of the fort, Demetrius Poliorcetes, in honor of his father, one of the commanders of the famous conqueror Alexander the Great. The settlement of the island occurred much later; today the number of permanent residents is one and a half thousand people, and at the peak of the season it increases 10 times. 13 years ago, after a serious fire, a significant part of the forest covering the surface of the island was destroyed. However, the main attractions of Burgaz - the 9th century church of Ayia Yani, the hospital of St. George, the monastery of Christ and the holy spring of Ayios Loanis - remained untouched by the fire and are now available for inspection. If you prefer excursions with a more secular theme, be sure to visit the house-museum of the outstanding Turkish poet and prose writer Sait Faik Abasyyanik, who described the local landscapes and people in poems and stories.
Island with a bag – Heybeliada
Until the second half of the 19th century, only a small fishing settlement in the northern part of the island and three monasteries were located on an area of 2.5 km². The starting point for the new history of Halki can be considered the year 1846, when an isolated piece of land, like the other Princes' Islands, was connected with Constantinople by regular ferry service. Modest huts of sea workers gave way to spacious summer houses of wealthy townspeople (mainly Greeks), and eight hundred inhabitants literally turned into three and a half thousand in just half a century. At different times, many prominent figures of Turkish art, and not only them, found home and inspiration here. Alexey Tolstoy even wrote a story about the life of Russian emigrants who fled from the revolutions, it is called “On the Island of Halki.”
Big Island
Buyukada is the largest in the entire archipelago of the Princes' Islands. This explains the fact that, despite its significant distance from Istanbul compared to its “younger brothers,” it is especially popular among vacationers from different countries.
The unique face of the area is formed not only by luxurious villas surrounded by lush gardens and equipped beaches. The highlight of the island is the unusual proximity of eleven churches: Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian; mosques and synagogues, as well as stunning panoramas of Istanbul, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, which open from observation platforms in the mountains or the terraces of numerous coffee shops and restaurants near the marina.
In the latter, by the way, guests will be able to try the gastronomic pride of the Princes' Islands - freshly caught fish is deliciously prepared here, and the prices, although quite high, are not too different from those in the capital. However, if your travel budget is limited, you can limit yourself to a visit to the local supermarket or take lunch with you, as prudent Turks do. Please note that entrance to the areas intended for picnics is paid, and you will not be allowed to sit comfortably in any place you like - the main part of the island is covered with pine forests, which are under state protection.
Inspecting the local beauties from the window of a tourist bus is fundamentally impossible, since in all Adalar there is a categorical ban on the use of motor vehicles, with exceptions made only for police and fire vehicles. On the other hand, it is this approach that allows you to maintain a special quiet and calm atmosphere, which is treasured by owners of luxury real estate and city dwellers tired of the hustle and bustle.
As a result, visitors have three possible modes of transportation. The most obvious and cost-effective is your own legs. Fortunately, even the Big Island is not so big that walking would require a lot of time or effort. The only difficulty in this case is the terrain: frequent descents and ascents are not an activity for socialites in stiletto heels; remove comfortable (ideally sports) shoes from the depths of your suitcase. The reward will be the opportunity to independently choose the pace of movement that is ideal for all participants in the “expedition” and stop at particularly attractive points for inspection and photography.
Prefer something faster? Tourists will be happy to rent bicycles. There is an hourly rate (about 5 liras), but it is more rational to pay rent for the whole day. And if physical activity is not what you went on vacation for, follow the recommendations of numerous guidebooks and get into a chaise. An open carriage drawn by a pair of horses will take you on a short or long tour (45 minutes for 70 TL and one hour for 80 TL respectively) around the island.
What interesting things does Büyükada offer its guests, besides sacred buildings and examples of colonial architecture? A mandatory element of the program is Rum Yetimhanesi, the largest wooden building in Europe. It is worth warning that the former hotel-casino, later converted into an orphanage, has become quite dilapidated over the past century since its construction and does not look very presentable, but it is still worth a visit.
Russian-speaking tourists traditionally show interest in the house in which the revolutionary Leon Trotsky, expelled from the USSR, lived for four years. Let us note right away that there are no identifying marks on the building itself or on the way to it, so you can only rely on the help of a map or navigator. Access to the territory is closed, since the idea of creating a museum has remained unrealized. The structure itself was not restored after a fire in 1931, when fire destroyed part of the disgraced Marxist's famous personal archive. So you can admire the former splendor of the mansion only from a distance, as far as the high fence and lush vegetation, which does not know the gardener’s hand, allow.
If you find daylight on the Princes' Islands to be insufficient, you don't have to take the last ferry back to the mainland. Many villas have been converted into mini-hotels, which will happily accept guests for one or more nights. But even a short visit to this archipelago will certainly remain a vivid and pleasant memory for you!
How to get there
Proximity to urban infrastructure made it possible to choose vehicles. For those who are used to traveling with maximum comfort, special excursion tours that include transfers are available. However, the cost of such offers cannot be called budget; numerous river taxis are more gentle on your wallet.
There is another option to get to the Princes' Islands - a public ferry, a ticket for which will cost about 5 TL (and for IstanbulKart owners - only 4 TL). There are several carriers, the most capacious ships are from Sehir Hatlari, they depart from the Kabatash pier in the European part of Istanbul, as well as from Kadikoy and Bostancı in the Asian part. The current flight schedule can always be found on the company’s website or directly at the ticket offices at the piers - it changes depending on the season and, accordingly, the number of passengers.
If you plan to get the best seats on the open upper deck, it is better to arrive at Kabatas 20-30 minutes before the indicated time. Don't forget to throw something over your shoulders even on a warm sunny day - at sea, in any weather, a cool wind is possible.
Sailing from the shore, you will see a distant panorama of the capital, blue marble-colored water, a former fort with a lighthouse - the Maiden Tower and, of course, the Princes' Islands themselves.
The ferry only approaches four of the currently existing nine islands, since Sedefadasy is sparsely populated and is of no interest to tourists, Kashikadasy has become private property, and Yassiada, Tavsanadasy and Sivriada are uninhabited.
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There are great days in January - 15-20 degrees Celsius, sunny.
This is not uncommon in Istanbul, of course, but it also happens.
This time the forecast for good weather was stable, and therefore we decided, in the very “center” of winter, to go to the Princes’ Islands, where all the Istanbul nobility (and not only them) went on vacation in the summer in order to find peace, breathe sea air, and spend time in silence and contemplation, away from the bustle of the city.
I must say that we managed to get all this in one fine winter day.
The very awareness that you are on an island already does its job. But islands are different, as they say. For example, or, or... They also seem to be islands, but the infrastructure and civilization on them will not let you feel that you are in isolation (do you know that isole means island in Italian?).
Another thing is the Princes' Islands. What is the difference? I'll try to tell you.
What are the islands and where are they located?
This archipelago - one of the districts of Istanbul (administrative name Adalar) - has nine small islands in the Sea of Marmara, one smaller than the other, the most remote of them is located about 35 km from the central part of the city.
Of the nine islands, four are inhabited and receive guests - Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada, one - Sedefadasi - half inaccessible to visit, two - Kaşıkadası and Yassyada ( Yassıada) are private properties, and two more - Sivriada and Tavşanadası - are completely uninhabited. 
About a thousand years ago there were ten islands in the archipelago, but one of them went under water after a major earthquake. The island was called Vordonisi and was located closest to present-day Istanbul. They say that at this place, at a depth of five to six meters, the ruins of the ancient monastery of Photios still lie. Now the dangerous place for sailors is marked by a lighthouse.
Why are they called that?
The Princes' Islands (how romantic it sounds!) during the Byzantine Empire were the location of a large number of monasteries (they were even called Papaz Aladari - islands of priests), some of which turned into imperial residences in the summer, and some became the last refuge for exiled noble disgraced persons - princes , priests, even emperors, hence the name Princes.
There is one more thing - Kizil Adalari, which means red islands - the color of their soil is predominantly red due to the high content of ferrous substances in it.
The island received this name already during the Ottoman Empire.
Some time after Constantinople entered its possession, the Greek Patriarchate received the rights to use the archipelago. From then until the mid-19th century, the main population of the islands consisted mainly of non-Muslim communities - Greeks, Armenians, and Jews lived here.
Since 1846, when a ferry service was launched between Istanbul and the archipelago, Turks also began to willingly settle on the islands or buy houses here for their summer holidays.
Walk
I suggest you take a walk from the center of Istanbul to Buyukada - the largest of the islands, since this is where we spent a great day, and make small stops along the way.
Departure
You can only go to the islands, as you might guess, by water.
From Istanbul there is an excellent ferry connection with the populated islands; you can leave both from the European part from the Kabatash pier, and from the Asian part from the Kadikoy and Bostanci piers.
Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
The ferry to the Princes' Islands departs from Kabatas pier almost every hour. Kabatas is the final station of tram number 38 coming from Sultanahmet. The cost of the trip is 3 Turkish lira, and the pleasures are a lot! Travel time to the last and largest island of Buyukada is about 1.5 hours with visits to a number of islands.
During your trip, a stop in the Asian part of Istanbul is mandatory. Ahead are the famous Maiden Tower and views of the Asian part of Istanbul.
Vapurs from the Asian part of Istanbul to the European part are constantly rushing past.
In the Asian part of Istanbul there is a cargo port where you can always meet sea giants from around the world.
Some vapors organize distillations.
The first attraction on the Asian side is the luxurious Haydarpasa Station building.
The station was built in 1906-1908 as the starting point of the Istanbul-Baghdad railway, and serves the Asian suburbs of Istanbul and the entire eastern part of Turkey up to the borders with Armenia, Iran and Syria.
On November 28, 2010, a fire broke out at Haydarpasa Station. Presumably the fire broke out while repair work was being carried out on the roof of the station building.
The stop at Kadykoy is the last one before the islands. Still, it’s damn nice to land at Kabatash (the beginning of the journey), when you can get the best seats.
On your marks! Attention! March! The Asian part of Istanbul also wants to go to the islands! But what about - it’s well past 30 outside today!!!
Istanbul students sit right on the floor, constantly talking and eating homemade food.
Competitions are held in the bay of Asian Istanbul. There is a yacht club nearby.
The Princes' Islands or Kızıl Adalar - "red islands", or simply Adalar - are a group of nine islands near Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara - Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınaliada, Sedefadası, Yassyada, Sivriada, Kaşıkadası and Tavşanadası.
The first island where the ferry stops is Kynalyada.
Our path runs to the last and largest of the islands - Buyukada.
Istanbul seagulls are an indispensable attribute not only of sea travel. Seagulls also feel at ease on the roofs of Constantinople itself.
Istanbul is incredibly huge. It stretches on both sides of the Bosphorus and there is no end to it.
There are a lot of people on the ferry. Most go to Buyukada. Peddlers of tea and food constantly scurry between tourists, shouting loudly and offering products.
Guarding the island.
The next stop is the island of Heybeliada with a maritime school.
Buyukada is the largest island among the 4 Princes' Islands, where the ferry docks. The island has an area of 5.36 km² and a population of 7,335 people.
In the Byzantine era, the island was a place of exile for noble people. There were also monasteries here. At the beginning of the 20th century, villas were built on Büyükada by the Sultan and his entourage. On the island there are mosques, Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian churches, and a synagogue. In 1930, a treasure belonging to the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II, was found on Büyükada. After being expelled from the USSR in February 1929, Leon Trotsky lived in Büyükada for four years.
The most central place on the island is the clock right in front of the pier. As they say, you can’t get lost on the island - we all meet under the clock.
The people gradually disperse between the streets of the pier. Street barkers race to offer to visit their establishments. Some give up and hide in the shadows of numerous cafes and restaurants.
There is no car traffic on all the islands, and the only transport is horse and cart. Cars are used only by the police and municipal services.
Walking a little to the left of the clock, you come to Araba Meydanı, all filled with horse-drawn carts. The incredible smell of horse manure hits your nose. The smell is incredible! This is where you can rent a two-wheeler to take a breeze around the island. The official rental price is on the island's municipal website and is 50 Turkish lira for a small tour and 60 Turkish lira for a large tour. Everyone agrees on the cost on the spot independently.
The carts move around the island counterclockwise.
Water is also transported by horse-drawn carts.
During the Byzantine Empire, princes and other persons close to emperors exiled to the islands, and later relatives of the Ottoman sultans were sent there, which gave the islands their current name. Throughout the 19th century, the islands became a popular holiday destination among Istanbul's rich, and even today Victorian-style cottages and houses remain on the largest island in the archipelago.
Some tourists combine business with pleasure by pedaling a bicycle.
We walk (which we never regretted later!), and carts rush by every now and then. One gets the feeling that they want to quickly deliver their customers to the final stop in order to quickly put new ones on the chair. Traveling around the island on foot has many advantages.
Cats live not only in Istanbul itself, but also on the islands.
The rooms of local villas make a pleasant impression.
One of the wild beaches on the way around the island. Here we decided to freshen up - the heat was making itself felt. The water is very warm and quite clean. Jellyfish are often seen.
The higher we rise, the more beautiful and majestic the views of the neighboring islands and Istanbul open up.
At the fork towards Luna Park Square we come to the Greek cemetery.
On the right remains the monastery of St. Nicholas. On the territory of the monastery there is a monument to Russian soldiers who were captured during the Crimean campaign (1853-1856) and kept on the Princes' Islands.
Birlik Square or Luna Park, as the natives call it, is a concentration of carts.
In fact, this is the highest point of the journey. There are several cafes here, in the shade of which you can transfer your strength before the last and most difficult march up the mountain to the monastery of St. George.
Bicycles are a very popular means of transportation around the island. Before climbing to the monastery of St. George, many leave their two-wheelers in the square. And they do the right thing - going up the mountain to the monastery on a bicycle is almost impossible!
Climbing a mountain in 30 degree heat is a very difficult undertaking!!! Apparently, this is why among those who visit the Princes' Islands, there are few who reach the highest point of the islands - the Monastery of St. George.
There is a belief that when climbing the mountain to the monastery, you should unravel the threads. And your sins are forgiven! Many tourists do not neglect this - to the right and left of the path there are multi-colored threads.
It is especially difficult for children to overcome the last meters.
Some approach the top almost on their knees.
But they are rewarded with stunning views of the nearby islands and Istanbul. We are at an altitude of 203 meters above sea level!!!
Many people immediately tie a knot and make wishes - so that they can come back again!
At the top near the monastery there is a viewing platform with telescopes, where for a fee you can zoom in on things that are far away.
When entering the monastery, it is mandatory to dress in clothes.
Although the local priest forbade photography, I took some spy shots of St. George's Monastery.
The buildings of the monastery of St. George on its summit date back to 1751.
Construction of a new stone church with a bell tower was completed in 1909.
Bell tower of the monastery of St. George.
In the background is, according to many, one of the oldest and largest wooden buildings in the world. This is the Greek orphanage. The architectural monument was built in 1898 by the French, and in 1903 it was purchased by a wealthy Istanbul Greek woman, Eleni Zarifi, and presented it to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. A shelter for Christian orphans was set up in the house. The institution was closed in 1964, and to this day the house, confiscated by the authorities, remains empty and crumbling.
In June, the European Court unanimously adopted a resolution to transfer the shelter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. According to Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, after the restoration, a church center for environmental protection and an ecumenical center will be opened at the Greek Orphanage.
Istanbul is incredibly beautiful from a height of 203 meters!!!
There is a small cafe on the territory of the monastery, where those who have reached heaven can relax a little.
Someone talked about monastery wine. However, when we asked the cafe workers about the monastery wine, they offered us ordinary bottled wine (what you can buy in any supermarket). We limited ourselves to Efes. And what a delicious salad at an altitude of 203 meters!!!
One of the nearby islands seems quite small compared to Buyukada.
When you are under the skies, the bustle of the city fades into the background.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement officers were completely tired under the scorching Istanbul sun.
The road back to the pier is much more pleasant and fun.
We wandered into some wilds - we find ourselves here and this is where local carts are made.
I would like to live here. Local villas look amazing!!!
Turkish women pedal with pleasure.
On the way back, the people were very tired. There will be more than enough impressions until your next trip.
Only in children the energizer worked longer than others.
The sunset over the Sea of Marmara is beautiful.
Some couldn't stand it and slept where they were.
Others simply knelt on the floor. They dreamed of the paradise they had just visited.
