A day trip to the Princes' Islands from Sultanahmet

Meet the islands

Four of the nine islands in this group are inhabited year-round and served by regular ferries: Kınalıada, closest to the city; small, quiet Burgazada; wooded Heybeliada; and Büyükada, the largest. They take their English name from the Byzantine princes and nobles who were exiled here after losing out in palace politics.

In the 19th century the islands became the summer retreat of Istanbul's Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim families, and that multicultural past still shows in their timber mansions, churches, mosques and synagogues. Private motor vehicles are not used; people get around on foot, by bicycle and in the municipality's electric vehicles. The horse-drawn carriages that were once the islands' symbol were withdrawn in 2020.

From the hotel to the pier, and from the pier to the islands

On the European side, the main departure point for island ferries is Kabataş, the last stop on the T1 tram line, which you can board at Sultanahmet. Depending on the season there may also be departures and private motorboats from Eminönü, and on the Asian side Bostancı is the main pier. The Istanbulkart works on municipal ferries; see our Istanbulkart guide.

Leaving Kabataş, the ferry passes Maiden's Tower and the grand Haydarpaşa Station on the Asian shore before turning south and calling at Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and finally Büyükada. The trip to Büyükada takes roughly one to one and a half hours, depending on the service. For more on ferry lines, see our ferry guide.

• Summer weekend ferries are packed. Go on a weekday and catch an early boat if you can.
• Late-afternoon return ferries fill up too; aiming for the one before the rush beats standing all the way home.
• Check current timetables on the official website before you go; services thin out on the winter schedule.

Which island should you choose?

• Büyükada: the natural choice for a first visit, with grand mansions, a long waterfront and the path up to the Church of St George on Yücetepe hill. Lively, but crowded at weekends.
• Heybeliada: pine forests, quiet coves and a more local feel. On the hilltop stands the Halki Seminary, unable to train students since 1971. Ideal for walkers.
• Burgazada: small and peaceful; the house of writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık is open as a museum in his name.
• Kınalıada: the closest and least wooded island, good for a short seaside break.

A sample day on Büyükada

1. Morning: walk from the hotel to the Sultanahmet stop, ride the T1 to Kabataş and board an early ferry. Head for the open deck and watch the old city skyline recede as the Asian shore slides past.
2. Arrival: start at the clock tower on the pier square and wander the streets lined with mansions. Many of these timber houses with gardens date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. Mid-morning: head inland by bicycle or electric vehicle. Test the brakes when you rent a bike; some slopes are steep.
4. Late morning: walk the path up to the Church of St George on Yücetepe. The climb is short but steep, and the view takes in the whole Sea of Marmara. Around the saint's feast day in late April it gets extremely crowded.
5. Lunch: eat at a simple restaurant on the waterfront or in the market lanes serving fish, meatballs or home-style dishes. The island's famous ice cream and a simit are part of the ritual.
6. Afternoon: in summer you can swim at one of the public beaches around the island or rest in the shade by the shore. Get to the return ferry early.

Alternative day: a quiet walk on Heybeliada

1. Turn right from the pier and follow the waterfront past the old naval school buildings and mansions.
2. Take the road through the pine forest down to the cove of Çam Limanı, one of the island's calmest corners.
3. On the way back, climb toward the hilltop for an outside view of the Halki Seminary, then descend to the pier. With breaks, this easily fills half a day.
4. If you have time left, hop on a ferry to Büyükada for a short crossing and end your day there.

Tips for families and for avoiding crowds

• Bicycles with child seats and smaller frames are available; ask whether helmets are provided.
• The islands have little shade and plenty of hills. In summer a hat, water and sunscreen are essential, and a baby carrier is more practical than a stroller for small children.
• Lighting fires or smoking in the pine woods is extremely dangerous because of fire risk; follow the rules carefully in summer.
• May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months for weather and crowds. See how an island day fits into a longer stay in our five-day itinerary, and find more family ideas in our family guide to Istanbul.