Princes’ Islands

Tours

Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes islands, on this 9-hour excursion from Istanbul. Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view. See the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – by bike (not included) or spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on one of its beaches, before returning to Istanbul. Travel from your hotel by air-conditioned coach to the port with your guide, and board the boat that will take you to the Princes islands. The largest and most interesting of the islands is Büyükada, which is your destination for the day. From the boat, look back on the sights of Istanbul, seeing iconic landmarks such as Topkapi Palace and the pretty Kiz Kulesi (also known as the Maiden’s Tower), which was featured in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough. Dock in Büyükada and Kınali then take a stroll through the streets on your own, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of island life. Return to the boat and listen as your guide talks about the island’s history during the ride. Learn about its time as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, and of its life as a monastic settlement during Turkey’s Byzantine-Christian period. Pass lovely wooden mansions that are stunning examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture, and look out over the sparkling sea. Seagulls are everywhere in Büyükada, and if you’d like to feed them your guide will give you simits (bread with sesame seeds) so you can toss them a treat. Have lunch on the boat in summer or in a restauarant in the winter (if the weather gets too bad) , then spend the rest of your day at leisure on the islands. Later, meet your guide at a pre-arranged time for your boat ride back to Istanbul. Gift and leather shop visit (Optional)The last leg of your journey will be by coach, and you’ll be dropped off at your Istanbul hotel.

Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes' Islands, on this 8-hour excursion departing from Istanbul. Begin your journey with a cruise across the tranquil Sea of Marmara, watching the iconic sights of Istanbul gradually disappear from view. We first pick up the guests from their hotels or specific addresses between 08:00 and 09:15. Then, we meet with the guide at the port and board the boat for Princess Islands tour. After an aproximetly 1 hour pleasant boat journey, we reach our first destination, Heybeliada, (which may sometimes be a different island). Heybeliada is the second-largest among the islands but the greenest. With our guide, we have free time over there. Later, we continue our tour and head to Büyükada. After our guide provides necessary explanations, we take a break for lunch, with the excellent presentation of Turkish dishes. Free time given after lunch, you can explore the islands or savor local flavors.During The Free time, you may have the opportunity to go swimming on the island, but please note that this option is available only during the summer months. After the allotted free time, you will reconvene with the guide at the designated meeting point and return to Istanbul. Finally, upon your return to Istanbul, there will be a stop for shopping. After shopping, we will drop you back at your respective hotels.

Exchange your voucher at the ticket office in Kabatas and get access to the boat. The boat departs from Kabatas ferry station in the morning and returns in the evening. A Marine Officer will welcome you at the departure pier, help you onto the boat, hand you a Bosphorus cruise plan, and explain to you what you will see during the crossing. Set off for the Princes' Islands, which in Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times were used as exile sites and as a monastery region. Today only 4 of the total 9 Princes’ Islands are open to public settlement. Arrive at the most famous and beautiful of these islands called Büyükada, or 'Big Island'. Spend the day exploring the island at your own pace. Take a walk through the center and get used to the silence that reigns on the island. See the Merkez Eczanesi, a pharmacy from 1870, and feel you have stepped back in time. Go to Hamlaci Street 4 and see the ruins of the villa where Trotsky lived in exile between 1929 and 1933, writing his autobiography and 3 volumes on the "History of the Russian Revolution". Alternatively, rent a bike and cycle around the island admiring the magnificent old villas lining the streets. Explore the Greek Orthodox St. George Church on top of the island's tallest hill where you can also admire fantastic views of Istanbul, the Marmara Sea, and the neighboring islands.  Stop over and visit the former Greek Orphanage, Europe’s largest and the world's 2nd largest wooden house. Enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants around the harbor. Go to one of the public beaches (Halk Plaji) or beach clubs for swimming and sunbathing. If you like hiking, you can also walk around the island on foot. When you have finished exploring, take the return ferry to Istanbul at your leisure. The boat departs Büyukada (Big Island) to return to Kabatas ferry station at 3:30 PM.

Cruise across the deep-blue waters of the Marmara Sea on a boat tour departing from Istanbul. Experience two of the nearby Princes's Islands, Büyükada and Kınalıada, with free time to explore each. Enjoy a hotel transfer and a delicious lunch on board. Get picked up from your hotel in Istanbul, then head to the port to board your boat. Set sail into the mesmerizing ocean surrounding the city and navigate to Kınalıada. Take a short walking tour with your guide and learn about the island along the way. Hop back on the boat and eat a lunch to recharge your energy before traveling to your next destination. Make a stop at Büyükada, the largest of the nine islands, and have plenty of free time to discover at your own pace. Relax on the quiet beaches and go for a refreshing swim. Alternatively, rent an electric bike or scooter, as cars aren't allowed on the island. Ride conveniently among the glorious mansions with their characteristic balconies. Finally, get back on the boa for your return trip to Istanbul, then sit back on the ride to your hotel.

Soak in the serene atmosphere of the Princes' Islands on a day trip from Istanbul with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Cruise past Topkapi Palace and Maiden's Tower, then glide across the Marmara Sea to reach the islands of Heybeliada and Buyukada. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Istanbul, and transfer to the port. Hop onboard an old-school boat and set sail in the Sea of Marmara. Make yourself comfortable on the decks, and observe Topkapi Palace and Leander’s Tower. After a 1.5-hour boat trip, disembark at Buyukada, the largest of the Princes' Islands. Take a walk around the charming old buildings, mansions, and villas that are home to local residents. Enjoy a place without any cars on the streets. After a stroll along the coast, hit the sandy bays to swim and unwind, or take a walk to the serene pine forest. Rent an electric car to tour the island for around 25 minutes and delve into the island's history. Savor lunch on the boat while taking in views of the islands from the sea. After lunch, enjoy the tranquil charm of your second stop in Kınalıada, the second largest of the Princes' Islands. In the afternoon, sail back to Istanbul port, with 30 minutes of free time for shopping. Then, be transferred back to your hotel with unforgettable memories.

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Explore Buyukada, the largest of Turkey's Princes' Islands, on this 8-hour excursion departing from Istanbul. Once you arrive at Buyukada, discover the island's pedestrianized streets and charming ambiance in the best way possible. Alternatively, you can choose to spend your time at leisure, perhaps lounging on one of the island's pristine beaches, before returning to the vibrant city of Istanbul. Your adventure begins as you depart from your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, accompanied by your knowledgeable guide. During your boat ride, your guide will share fascinating insights into the history of the island. Learn about its role as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, as well as its history as a monastic settlement during the Byzantine-Christian period in Turkey. As you approach Buyukada, you'll be greeted by the sight of charming wooden mansions that showcase the island's late Ottoman-era architecture. The sparkling sea stretches out before you, and seagulls gracefully soar overhead. If you'd like, your guide can provide you with simits (bread with sesame seeds) to feed the seagulls and enjoy their company. Lunch will be served either on the boat in the summer or at a cozy island restaurant during the winter months. Following your meal, the remainder of your day is yours to enjoy at your own pace on the picturesque islands. Later in the day, you'll reconvene with your guide at a designated time for your boat journey back to Istanbul. Optionally, you can also visit local gift and leather shops to find unique mementos of your unforgettable day. The final leg of your journey will be a comfortable coach ride, ensuring your safe return to your Istanbul hotel, concluding a day filled with captivating experiences and cherished memories.

In our tour, we will be visiting two islands. We first pick up the guests from their hotels or specific addresses between 08:00 and 09:15. Then, we meet with the guide at the port and board the boat for Islands tour. After an aprox 1 hour pleasant boat journey, we reach our first destination, Heybeliada, (which may sometimes be a different island). Heybeliada is the the greenest. With our guide, we have free time over there. Later, we continue our tour and head to Büyükada. After our guide provides necessary explanations, we take a break for lunch, with the excellent presentation of Turkish dishes. During the free time given after lunch, you can explore the islands or savor local flavors. Free time, you may have the opportunity to go swimming on the island, but please note that this option is available only during the summer months. Finally, upon your return to Istanbul, there will be a stop for shopping. After shopping, we will drop you back at your respective hotels.

Meet your tour leader in the historical neighborhood of Balat, in the European side of the city. Choose your bike for the day then board the public boat to Uskudar. From the boat, admire views of the city skyline and take photos of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Maiden Tower, Süleymaniye Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, and more. Arrive in Uskudar, which is on the Asian side of the city. Hop on your bike and pedal to Fenerbahce Park, stopping along the way to take in the sights and listen to your guide share information about the area. Once you’ve worked up a sweat from the bike ride, enjoy a refreshing cup of Turkish tea or coffee at a local cafe and admire the view of Princes’ Islands while you relax. Jump back on your bike and pedal to Kadıköy Pier for a boat ride to Karakoy. Next, cross over the Golden Horn Bay via the Metro Bridge then head back towards the tour’s meeting point in Balat. Tours usually finish around 2 PM, depending on the group’s cycling tempo. Afterwards, spend the day exploring the vibrant streets of Balat at your own leisure, and enjoy some fresh, local cuisine from one of the many street-side food vendors. During the experience all of the metioned monuments are only to be seen from outside.

Your adventure begins when you depart from your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with your knowledgeable guide. Once you arrive at the port, you will board a boat to the Princes’ Islands, with Büyükada as your main destination. As you sail away from Istanbul, take a moment to admire the city’s landmarks, including the magnificent Topkapı Palace and the picturesque Maiden’s Tower, also known as the Maiden’s Tower from the James Bond film “The World is Not Enough.” During your boat tour, your guide will share fascinating information about the island’s history. Learn about its role as a place of exile for exiled statesmen and royals, as well as its history as a monastic settlement during the Byzantine-Christian period in Turkey. As you approach Büyükada, you will be greeted by the sight of the island’s charming wooden mansions, displaying the island’s late Ottoman architecture. The sparkling sea stretches before you, and seagulls glide gracefully overhead. If you wish, your guide can provide you with simit (sesame bread) for you to feed the seagulls and enjoy their company. Lunch will be served on the boat in the summer or at a charming island restaurant in the winter. After your meal, you can spend the rest of your day at your own pace on the picturesque islands. Later in the day, you will reunite with your guide at an appointed time for your return boat trip to Istanbul. Optionally, you can visit the local souvenir and leather shops to find unique mementos of your unforgettable day. The final leg of your journey will be a comfortable bus ride back to your Istanbul hotel, ending a day full of fascinating experiences and precious memories.