Near Istanbul, there are nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, with four of them being the most visited; these four islands named Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada are the only islands that people see. They travel for fun. The name of the islands comes from where princes were exiled to these islands during the Ottoman and even Byzantine times. Still, today, it has become a luxury place for recreation and relaxation, attracting many tourists’ attention. Among the islands, Buyuk Ada Island, also known as Prince Island, has the highest number of tourists, and of course, it is also the most significant island. These islands are one of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul.
A concise summary of all 9 Adalar (Princes’ Islands) in Istanbul
- Büyükada
- Heybeliada
- Burgazada
- Kınalıada
- Sedef Island
- Yassıada
- Sivriada
- Kaşık Island
- Tavşan Island
Büyükada
The Marmara Sea is home to nine Princes’ Islands, the largest of which is Büyükada, located not far from Istanbul. Tourists may get about on foot, via bike (many shops rent bikes out by the hour), or in electric cars with batteries that run like taxicabs and provide “round-the-island” excursions, just like they would on any other island where motorized automobiles are prohibited.
The Church of St. George, also known as Aya Yorgi, is located on Buyuk Ada Island, part of the Adalar neighborhood in Istanbul. It is one of the city’s most well-known landmarks. You might also go to the Yuchitepe restaurant, which has been around since 1978; kufte is one of the mouthwatering meals served at this restaurant.
This island has four hotels for travelers to stay. The villas are very green and relaxing. The central part of the island is near the pier, and coffee houses, restaurants, and shops are located around this pier. In the south of the island, there is a forest area that you can visit by boat. There is also a ruined hotel from the 19th century on this island.
In Buyuk Ada, you can see a wooden building with an area of 20,000 square meters, and other attractions of Buyuk Ada Island include Hamidiyeh Mosque, Ayia Yorgi Church, Monastery and Church of Aius Nicholas the Great. In addition, you can see Leon Trotsky’s former house and a hotel called Splendid, which has silver domes and red feathers on this island. You can also visit Osmani Street in Buyuk Ada.
Heybeliada
After Buyuk Ada, you can visit Heybeliada Island, one of Istanbul’s 9 islands, where British Ambassador Edward Barton is buried.
Heybeliada Island is served by service vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, police, etc. The only way to this island is by passenger ships. It has a population of about a thousand people, and you can easily explore it by renting a bicycle or a stroller.
You can visit the large Turkish Navy School building upon arrival on the island. You can also see two historical monuments: the grave of Edward Burton, the British ambassador, and the Orthodox Church of Kamariotissa, the last church of the Byzantine era and remains from the 11th century. Jadet Naval Academy is also located on this island. In addition, there are beautiful old wooden houses on this island that are worth seeing.
Burgazada
Burgazada is the birthplace of one of modern Turkish literature’s greatest poets and writers. Although it is far from Istanbul, passenger ships can easily reach it.
The third island of the Prince Islands, in terms of area, is enough to visit in one day. In the 2003 fire accident, this island lost a large part of about 4 km of its trees and buildings. Today, the Greek and Turkish minorities live on this island. The oldest sanatorium in Turkey, Burgazada Sanatorium, is on this island. It is related to 1928. This island is recommended for walking, cycling, and nature tourism.
Kınalıada
Kınalıada Island is famous for its Armenian population. It is the closest island to Istanbul and the fourth largest island in this city. The island has many beaches and summer houses for rent, and people who intend to stay can choose this island.
Ayazma Beach is the most famous beach on this island and is suitable for sunbathing. Kinaliada Island is more coastal than the rest of the islands and is the first destination of the barges or sea buses that go from the city’s shores to the islands of Istanbul. You will experience a food, drinks, and music festival on Ada Channel Island. The restaurants on this island, which are located along the coast, are very famous, and most travelers try the seafood in this area.
Sedef Island
Sedef Island is a little island in the middle of the archipelago, yet it’s home to 108 people. The accessible part is mostly a beachside community. Owner Ehsuvar Menemenciolu, who bought the island in 1956 and was instrumental in enforcing a stringent construction rule to safeguard the island’s natural and environmental resources, is responsible for most of the planting of the pine woods that cover the island today. He has put a stop to the construction of any buildings higher than two stories.
The Greek name for the island is Terebinthus, meaning “terebinth,” which may have played a key role in its history. Following his exile to the island and subsequent ten-year imprisonment, Patriarch Ignatius of Constantinople was re-elected in 867.
Yassıada
Yassıada Island, which has an area of 0.05 square kilometers, is located in the Edalar district of Istanbul, Turkey. The Byzantines used this island as an exile for prisoners and a place for prominent people during the Crusades.
Visitors can see four prison cells underground. In addition, in 860, Patriarch Ignatius built a church in exile and the monastery of Plata, which Byzantine Emperor Theophilus constructed also.
Sivriada
During Byzantine rule, the clergy chose Sivriada Island for worship because it was a remote area suitable for relaxing worship. At the same time, Byzantine emperors used this island to imprison and detain prominent people such as Plato.
Sivriada, meaning useless island, is one of the main parts of the Prince Islands in the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. This small island is located near Istanbul, and in ancient times, it was considered a place of worship for Byzantine priests.
There is not much for tourists to visit on this island. However, they can visit the monastery to learn about Byzantine and Roman history and culture.
One of the critical events that happened on this island was (the massacre of dogs). In 1911, the governor of Istanbul ordered the massacre of the city’s stray dogs, during which 80,000 stray dogs were exiled to this island, and all of them perished due to starvation or drowning.
Immediately after this event, a strong earthquake occurred, which the local Turkish people analyzed as a punishment for the massacre of dogs. After that, this island is known as “Hayırsızada”. It means miserable and useless. This incident is why this island was called an unfortunate island.
Kaşık Island
Kaşık Island means “Spoon Island” because its land is shaped like a spoon. It is one of the islands of Istanbul, privately owned by a Greek family named Danon.
Visitors cannot spend time here unless they get permission from the owner or visit with a tour under the supervision of a tourist company. Be sure to register early, as the tour of this island fills up quickly. To get to this island, you have to board a ship, and after arriving, the sandy beach and the green space there will be eye-catching for you.
Tavşan Island
The Tavşan Adas Island is the smallest of the Princes’ Islands, covering just 0.004 km2 (0.0015 sq mi). People often call it Rabbit Island because it is home to countless species of rabbits.
This small island is not a good tourist destination, but if you come here with a tour group, they will take you to some ancient churches built in the 17th century.
Istanbul people often visit this island to experience its spirituality and beautiful peace. In addition, photogenic photographers will find numerous locations on Tavşan Island to capture stunning images of nature.
Accommodation, comfort and entertainment facilities of Prince Islands
Despite being deep and remote from the city, the Prince Islands provide comfort and enjoyment. Some of the hotels on Buyuk Ada Island are 100 years old, yet they still have superb facilities. Ada Plus Hotel is one of the islands’ most renowned hotels, displaying the splendour of history with its historic architecture and offering good services. Splendid Palace, another popular hotel in Buick Ada, was constructed in 1908 and has an architecture comparable to that of a French city. Kinali Ada Island rents suites and summer cottages to visitors at a reasonable price. On these islands, you may enjoy nature, sightseeing in the city by boat, and sunbathing. On this island, you’ll find some of Istanbul’s best restaurants serving real Turkish food.
Access and travel to Prince Islands
Going to the Prince Islands in Istanbul is only possible by sea because there is no airport on the island. The islands are not far from Istanbul, but the arrival time also depends on the type of boat you use. On this route, regular passenger boats and all speedboats are available. Of course, sea buses are always available, but they are usually a bit more crowded and move a little slowly. Travelling to these islands should take at least an hour and a half.
