Streets for walking and cycling, old wooden mansions and the view from the top of Büyükada. What to expect and how to enjoy it.
If the crowds of Istanbul tire you, the Princes' Islands are the perfect break. A small archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, with four main inhabited islands, the largest being Büyükada. Cars are not allowed: you walk, cycle or ride small electric vehicles.
Getting there
The trip starts on the ferry, part of the fun: the city slowly falls behind you and you pass small islands before reaching the Büyükada pier. On our tour we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the pier.
What to do on Büyükada
- An electric-car tour of the quiet streets and old wooden mansions.
- The climb to Aya Yorgi hill, with its old church and sea views all around.
- Seafood on the waterfront.
- A stroll through the little market by the pier, with Turkish ice cream.
Who is it for?
Families love it, because without cars the island is safe for children; so do couples, photographers and nature lovers. The best months are spring to early autumn, with a calm sea and flowers on the walls.
