Princes' Islands Istanbul: Ferry Guide, Things to Do & Tips

The History of the Princes' Islands

The Princes' Islands take their name from their use during the Byzantine period as a place of exile for members of the imperial family — princes, deposed emperors, and inconvenient relatives who needed to be removed from the capital without being executed. Several monasteries were built on the islands to house these exiles, some of which still stand today. During the Ottoman period, the islands became home to Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities who were permitted to maintain their presence there, and the grand Victorian and Edwardian mansions that line the streets of Büyükada were built by wealthy members of these communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Leon Trotsky lived in exile on Büyükada from 1929 to 1933, writing his biography of Lenin in one of the island's wooden mansions while the Soviet secret police plotted his assassination.

The Four Main Islands

The Princes' Islands archipelago consists of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, of which four are open to visitors and regularly served by ferry. Each has a distinct character:

• Büyükada — The largest island and the most visited, with grand Victorian mansions, pine forests, two hilltop monasteries, excellent fish restaurants along the waterfront, and the most extensive network of roads for cycling and walking. This is the island most visitors mean when they refer to the Princes' Islands.
• Heybeliada — The second largest island, quieter and more local in character than Büyükada, with a beautiful hilltop Greek Orthodox theological school — the Halki Seminary — closed since 1971 but still standing as one of the most evocative buildings in the islands.
• Burgazada — A smaller, even quieter island with a strong sense of community and a loyal following among Istanbul residents seeking a genuinely unhurried atmosphere. The writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık, one of Turkey's most beloved short story writers, lived here for much of his life.
• Kınalıada — The closest island to Istanbul and historically associated with the Armenian community. Smaller and less scenic than the others but convenient for a short visit.

Getting Around the Islands

The complete absence of motor vehicles is the defining characteristic of the Princes' Islands and the source of much of their charm. On Büyükada and Heybeliada, you get around on foot, by bicycle or in the municipality's small electric vehicles — the horse-drawn phaetons were retired in 2020. Electric vehicles and shuttles run from near the ferry pier around the island, including up towards the hilltop areas with their pine forests and monastery views. Bicycles can be rented from numerous shops near the ferry dock for a very reasonable hourly or daily rate. On the smaller islands, everything is accessible on foot. The combination of traffic-free roads, clean air, and sea views makes cycling on Büyükada one of the genuinely great simple pleasures available to any Istanbul visitor.

What to Do on Büyükada

Büyükada rewards both the active visitor and those who simply want to sit, eat, and watch the world go by. The main activities and attractions include:

• Cycling around the island perimeter road — approximately 12 kilometres — with continuous sea views and several good spots to stop for a swim
• Hiking up to the Monastery of Aya Yorgi on the southern hilltop, where a small Greek Orthodox chapel offers panoramic views over the Sea of Marmara and the distant Istanbul skyline
• Exploring the streets of the town on foot, admiring the extraordinary collection of 19th-century wooden mansions in various states of grandeur and decay
• Eating fresh fish at one of the waterfront restaurants near the ferry dock — the mezes and the grilled sea bass are particularly good
• Swimming from the rocky shores or the small beaches on the northern side of the island
• Simply sitting at a waterfront café with a glass of tea and watching the ferries pass

Getting to the Princes' Islands from Istanbul

Regular ferries to the Princes' Islands depart from Kabataş on the European shore and from Bostancı on the Asian shore. The journey from Kabataş to Büyükada takes approximately 90 minutes on a standard ferry, stopping at the other islands along the way. High-speed sea buses — deniz otobüsü — offer a faster crossing of approximately 60 minutes from Kabataş. Ferries run throughout the day from early morning to late evening, with more frequent services at weekends in summer. The ferry journey itself is part of the pleasure — the views of the Bosphorus, the historic peninsula, and the Sea of Marmara from the deck are outstanding, and the tea served on board by the ferry staff is a quintessential Istanbul experience.

Getting to the Ferry Terminal from Istanbul Airport

To reach the Princes' Islands from Istanbul Airport (IST), the most comfortable option is a private transfer directly to the Kabataş ferry terminal on the European waterfront, approximately 40 to 50 minutes by private transfer depending on traffic. A private airport transfer with Airports Transfer Turkey will take you from the arrivals hall directly to Kabataş — or to your hotel first if you prefer to drop your luggage before heading to the islands — with a fixed price, flight tracking, and a professional meet-and-greet service. If you are arriving at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side, you have the additional option of taking a ferry from Bostancı, which is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from the airport by private transfer and offers a direct connection to the islands without crossing to the European side. Book your Istanbul airport transfer before you travel for a smooth and stress-free start to your island day trip.

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