The Turkish Prince Islands, also known as the Adalar (“islands” in Turkish) are a very popular destination near Istanbul. And precisely for this reason, they have a great tourist appeal among Turks, especially among Istanbulites themselves, but not only. In this post, we give you the basic information so you know what they are, where they are, and if it’s worth visiting them during your trip.
Turkish Prince Islands: Location
The Turkish Prince Islands are a small archipelago located about 20 km from the northern coast of the Sea of Marmara, that is, south of Istanbul. Precisely because of their proximity (and their beauty, of course) they represent one of the favorite excursions for the city’s citizens. There are nine islands in total, although only five of them are actually inhabited, with the two most famous being Buyukada and Heybeliada. Also worth mentioning are Kinaliada and Burgazada.
Attractions of the Prince Islands
One of the great attractions of the Turkish Prince Islands is their wild character: as we mentioned, four of them remain uninhabited; and in the other five, the level of human impact is surprisingly low, as the use of motor vehicles is prohibited, forcing people who move around here to use phaetons (horse carriages) or bicycles. That’s why they were the perfect place of exile and retreat for such varied characters as Leon Trotsky or the Byzantine empress Irene.
While the above is a striking fact in the 21st century, it is only the consequence of the natural interest of the islands. Among their attractions are the small virgin beaches, where it is possible to enjoy a swim, although in many cases they are paid. Green is an omnipresent color, largely due to the pine forests that dot the terrain, crossed by paths that many hikers use daily to practice this highly appreciated activity here.
In addition to the natural charms of the Prince Islands, some of them have authentic monuments and historical buildings, which we list below:
- Buyukada Island: Church and Monastery of St. George (located on a hill more than 200 meters above sea level with panoramic views), Prince Islands Museum
- Heybeliada Island: Hagia Triada Monastery (late 19th century), Inonu Museum (second president of Turkey, after Ataturk, who used to vacation here)
How to Travel to the Prince Islands
Given their small size, the Prince Islands not only lack cars but also air infrastructure, so the only way to travel to them is by ferry. Most of them are regular, with departures and arrivals every day, at various frequencies. There are usually three companies that organize these trips, with an average of 8 trips each, with the last departure time between 19:00 and 21:30, generally. In any case, it is advisable to check the schedules beforehand and get well informed to avoid risking being left without a return passage, which would mean spending the night on land until the next day.
The piers from which ferries depart to the Prince Islands are Eminonu, Besiktas, Karakoy and Kadikoy.
Prince Islands, in our Tours?
Despite their interest, the Prince Islands are not usually part of the tourist circuits in Turkey, as other destinations that are even more interesting are usually prioritized. However, at Exclusive Turkey we have a team of travel agents who work in a personalized way with each client: although we have a very wide range of pre-designed circuits, each client’s travel program is different and can be modified to adapt to all kinds of tastes.
Therefore, if you plan to spend several days in Istanbul with a free day in your schedule, you can contact us to discuss the possibility of organizing an excursion to the Princes’ Islands of Turkey.
