Once a place for the exiled princes and empresses, it is now a getaway for those tired of the hustle and bustle of the city! Princes' Islands, in Byzantine times, were a punishment place for royal families. Hence, it's called Princes' Island.
Consisting of 9 islands in the Sea of Marmara, Princes' Islands have become very popular and have been one of the best destinations to break away from the city's rush.
Prince’s Island consists of four large islands, which are the most popular ones: Büyükada (Big Island), Heybeliada (Saddlebag Island), Burgazada (Fortress Island), and Kınalıada (Henna Island). If you are wondering which one you should visit, you should add all of them to your Istanbul travel itinerary!
Boat Trip to the Princes’ Islands: Hop on!
Get ready for the best journey that you will experience on your way to paradise! With your Istanbul Tourist Pass, take your boat trip on the bluest waters of the Bosphorus! Enjoy your Turkish tea during the voyage, feed seagulls with freshly baked Simit, a crunchy circular bread covered with sesame, and take the best photos of your life! For another mesmerising boat trip, you can also have a look at the Bosphorus dinner cruise!
However, a boat trip doesn't take much time; it's better to get on the very first boat of the day and make the most of the islands. So many historical and natural wonders await you on the islands; each has unique structures, historical houses, museums, and natural beauties.
If you are an adventurer and looking to explore a cool place, you will be satisfied. You will be content if you want to learn from history by experiencing the museums or historical places such as museums and architecture wonders of houses. If you wish to retreat in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, swim and soak up some sun, watch the sunset, ride a bike around the island. You will feel lucky to have this boat trip and have a refreshing trip to the islands!
Büyükada (Big Island): The Largest One of the Princes' Islands
How about doing the most popular activity: taking a boat trip with your Istanbul Tourist Pass? It's very favorable to take a boat trip to Princes' Island on the weekends. As a metropolis, Istanbul's city life can sometimes be challenging and tiring. Fortunately, it has the best getaways nearby where urbanites can get enough fresh air, a serene atmosphere, and be one with the beautiful nature of the islands. Büyükada (Big Island), a top-rated touristic attraction, is the largest of the Princes' Islands! When your boat comes aboard, you will immediately feel the warm ambiance of Büyükada. At first sight, you will come across bakeries famous for their local cookies and the ice cream shops where you can taste Büyükada's renowned ice creams! It's a classic to have a bike to wander around Büyükada, so it's highly recommended to rent one of the cute and colorful bikes with a basket. Let the soft breeze of the isle wave your hair when you are on your bike! The postcard-like streets and picturesque pavilions take you to the dreamy place during your tour around the island.
Remember to visit Adalar Müzesi (Museum of the Princes' Islands) on Büyükada. It is the best place to learn more details about the Princes' Islands. You can even watch the animation of these marvelous islands in the museum!
Aya Yorgi Church (Greek Orthodox Church St. George) is one of the two pilgrimage points of Christians in Turkey. A must-see place located at the very top of the island is YüceTepe. If you like hiking, you definitely should take the road to this culturally significant monument. If you are not a huge fan of hiking, remember that it is worth it because it takes only 10-15 minutes to go up there. Furthermore, at the top, a breathtaking scenery welcomes you along with a local coffeehouse where you can taste Turkish tea and coffee.
The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, also known as Prinkipo Palace or Büyükada Greek Orphanage, is another best place to visit on this island. It's considered one of the most prominent wooden buildings in Europe and the second-largest in the world!
Heybeliada: The Greenest Island of the Princes’ Islands
Heybeliada (Saddlebag Island) is famous for its pine forests; therefore, its nature which embraces all shades of green, is the first thing in sight. Let’s make a bucket list in Heybeliada for a fun trip! Having a tour of the island on an electric automobile is one of the popular things to do on this island! As in Büyükada, you will find beautiful pavilions with amazing architecture while wandering around. The beautiful beaches and clean turquoise waters of Heybeliada offer you to enjoy your summer and soak up some vitamin D! You can also do some activities such as sailing and rowing for a fun day.
When you step on Heybeliada, the Naval High School, which is one of the symbols of this island, stands in front of you and welcomes you. If you like historical buildings, you can visit it. The War Academy and the Sanatorium are essential components of Heybeliada, as well.
Heybeliada also hosts many historic churches and monasteries. Hagios Georgios tou Kremnou, which is Hagia Yorgi Monastery, is one of the famous monasteries in Heybeliada. "Tou Kremnou" comes to the meaning "on the verge off a cliff." Between the greenest pine trees and on the verge of the cliff, this monastery presents its visitors an incredible scenery to take their breath away.
Burgazada: the Most Peaceful of the Princes' Islands
Burgazada is another destination for those who like to spend a calmer, quieter, and more peaceful day! It's the best place to escape from the rush, crowds, and noise of Istanbul; being the third largest one of the Princes' Islands, Burgazada is inhabited by very low number of people which is why it is so peaceful to spend a day there. Burgazada bears history traces and demonstrates a characteristic that has hosted different cultures, nations, and ethnicities. Mosque and synagogues, Greek churches tell the visitors about the past! If you are into making your day peaceful, Burgazada is the most serene island amont the rest! It's so much fun getting lost in the narrow streets of Burgazada; hiking up on the island will be the most favorable thing to do because the panoramic view of the Princes' Islands will paint your eyes with the best colors!
Kınalıada (Henna Island): The Closest Island to Istanbul
Kınalıada (Henna Island), which gets its name from its red soil, is the smallest of the Princes' Island! It's known that Kınalıada has hosted mostly Armenians in the past, so you can find traces of Armenian culture. Kınalıada is a place where you can socialize with the locals. You can also swim in the serene waters of its bays and enjoy a peaceful day!
If you're staying in the historic Balat neighborhood of Istanbul and looking for a fun day trip, a Princes' Islands boat trip is a great option. From Balat, visitors can take a short taxi or bus ride to Kabatas, where they can catch a ferry to the islands. The Princes Islands ferry schedule offers frequent departures throughout the day, and the Princess Island ferry ticket price is affordable. Visitors can also take the Island Princess cruise ship from Istanbul, which offers a convenient itinerary for exploring the islands. The Princess Island ferry timings vary depending on the season, so visitors should check the schedule in advance to plan their trip. Once on the islands, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including biking, swimming, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The Princess Island tour price varies depending on the activities and services included, but visitors can easily explore the islands on their own as well. Some popular attractions on the islands include the historic Ottoman mansions and scenic waterfronts. The Kabatas Princes Islands ferry schedule offers easy access to the islands from Istanbul, and visitors can easily plan a Princess Island day trip from Istanbul. In summary, a Princes' Islands boat trip from Balat or Istanbul is a great way to explore these scenic islands and escape the city for a day. Visitors can take a ferry or cruise ship, enjoy activities like biking and swimming, and explore the islands' charming towns and historic landmarks.
No reservation is required. All you need is your Istanbul Tourist Pass to board the boat and sail away!