Princes' Islands Day Trip — DIY Itinerary & Ferry Guide

The Princes' Islands (Adalar in Turkish) are an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, lying 12–20 kilometers southeast of central Istanbul. Only four are regularly inhabited and open to visitors: Büyükada (the largest and most popular), Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada. The islands have been a retreat from urban life since Byzantine times, when exiled princes and deposed emperors were banished here — hence the name. Today, the islands are famous for being completely car-free. Transportation is by electric vehicles, bicycles, and the iconic horse-drawn carriages (fayton). Victorian-era wooden mansions, pine-forested hills, and turquoise waters create an atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustling streets of Istanbul, yet the ferry ride takes just 75–90 minutes. The islands are home to about 10,000 permanent residents, but in summer the population swells to over 100,000 as Istanbulites escape the city heat.

There are two ways to reach the Princes' Islands from Istanbul. The public ferry operated by Şehir Hatları departs from Kabataş terminal (easily reached by T1 tram to Kabataş stop) and takes about 90 minutes to Büyükada, stopping at each island along the way. Ferries run approximately every 1–2 hours; the first departure is around 06:30 and the last return ferry from Büyükada is around 21:00 (check seasonal schedules). The ferry ticket costs approximately €3 each way using an Istanbulkart. Alternatively, TURSAB-licensed MerrySails offers a guided full-day Princes' Islands tour starting from €35 per person, which includes boat transport, a guided tour of Büyükada, lunch, and free time for exploration — eliminating the need to navigate schedules and logistics independently. The guided tour departs from Eminönü at 09:00 and returns around 18:00. IDO also operates faster sea bus services from Bostancı on the Asian side (20 minutes to Büyükada) for those staying on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Büyükada (meaning 'Big Island') is where most visitors head on a Princes' Islands day trip. With an area of 5.4 km², it is large enough for a full day of exploration. The main attractions include: Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery at the island's highest point (203 meters) — the climb rewards you with panoramic views of the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul's skyline in the distance. The historic Splendid Palace Hotel (1908), one of the largest wooden buildings in Europe, is an architectural landmark. The Clock Tower Square (Saat Kulesi Meydanı) serves as the island's social hub, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. The island's beaches — Yörükali Plajı on the west coast and Halk Plajı near the town center — offer clean swimming in summer (June–September). Bicycle rental is the best way to explore the island (approximately €5–10 for a full day). The 9-kilometer coastal road circles the entire island, passing through pine forests, past grand wooden mansions, and along quiet coves.

While Büyükada gets the most visitors, the smaller islands have their own unique charm. Heybeliada ('Saddlebag Island') is the second largest and home to the historic Halki Seminary — the Greek Orthodox theological school closed since 1971 but still architecturally significant. Its beaches are less crowded than Büyükada's, and the waterfront restaurants serve excellent fresh fish. Burgazada is the quietest of the four main islands — perfect for those seeking true tranquility. The island's small museum dedicated to Turkish author Sait Faik Abasıyanık is worth a visit. The single main street has a few charming cafes and a beautiful Greek Orthodox church. Kınalıada ('Henna Island') is the closest island to Istanbul and the most residential. It is popular with local swimmers in summer and has a relaxed, authentic atmosphere with fewer tourist facilities than Büyükada. Each island can be explored in 2–3 hours, making it possible to visit two islands in a single day trip if you take early ferries.

The ideal time for a Princes' Islands day trip is late spring (May–June) or early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are pleasant (20–28°C), swimming is comfortable, and crowds are manageable. July and August are the busiest months — ferries can be packed, especially on weekends, and Büyükada's main streets feel crowded. If visiting in summer, take the earliest ferry to beat the crowds and consider visiting Heybeliada or Burgazada instead. Winter visits (November–March) are quiet and atmospheric — most tourist facilities are closed, but the islands' natural beauty and historic architecture are stunning without crowds. Practical tips: bring cash as some smaller establishments do not accept cards. Wear comfortable walking shoes — Büyükada's hills are steeper than they look. Bring sunscreen and a hat for summer visits. Buy your Istanbulkart before arriving at the ferry terminal to avoid long ticket queues. The last return ferry times are strict — miss it and you will need an expensive private boat back.

Many MerrySails guests combine a Princes' Islands day trip with a Bosphorus cruise for the ultimate Istanbul maritime experience. A popular itinerary: Day 1 — Bosphorus sunset cruise (€20, evening), Day 2 — Princes' Islands full-day tour (€35), Day 3 — Bosphorus dinner cruise (€65, evening). This combination covers Istanbul's two most famous waterways and lets you experience the city from the water in daylight, sunset, and nighttime. The Princes' Islands tour departs from Eminönü, the same area where Bosphorus cruises depart, making logistics simple. For a more exclusive experience, a private yacht can be chartered for a full-day Princes' Islands excursion — the yacht sails from the Bosphorus through the Sea of Marmara to the islands, combining both experiences in one trip. Contact MerrySails via WhatsApp (+90 537 040 68 22) for custom yacht-to-islands packages.

Food on Büyükada divides neatly into two categories: the places tourists find first, and the places worth finding. After twenty-plus years bringing visitors to this part of Istanbul s water world, the MerrySails team has eaten at most of them. The harbour front is charming but priced for captive audiences. A mezes-and-fish lunch at the quayside restaurants is perfectly enjoyable and the people-watching is excellent — but you are paying a premium on an island. The quality is serviceable rather than remarkable. Walk ten minutes inland and the calculus shifts. The residential streets behind the clock tower hide a handful of old-school lokanta-style restaurants where the daily menu is written on a chalkboard and the price of a full lunch with cay will surprise you pleasantly. For a light bite, the Ada Pastanesi on the main shopping street has been baking simit and börek for decades. Their gözleme, stuffed with fresh spinach and white cheese, is the ideal mid-morning fuel before a bicycle circuit. Drinks-wise, stick to Turkish tea and ayran during the midday heat. The island s elevation and the sea breeze can make the temperature feel deceptively gentle, but dehydration catches walkers and cyclists off guard. Several small market stalls sell cold water and fresh pomegranate juice near the bicycle rental stands. Finish with a dondurma from the street vendor near the ferry terminal — the theatrical presentation is part of the price, and it is the perfect counterpoint to a day spent somewhere genuinely unhurried.

The most common regret we hear from departing guests is wishing they had done more on the water. Istanbul s entire geography is defined by the sea — the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara — and the Princes Islands sit in that southern arc like a natural extension of the aquatic experience. Our recommendation for travellers with a single free day: take the morning public ferry to Büyükada, rent a bicycle or hire a horse-drawn fayton (the islands are car-free), explore the pine-forested interior and the terrace café views toward the Asian shore, then catch the late-afternoon ferry back to Kabatas or Eminönü. From either terminal you are within a fifteen-minute taxi ride of the MerrySails departure point, putting you aboard a sunset cruise with the light at precisely the right angle. The Bosphorus facing east at dusk, with Asia glowing on one side and Europe in silhouette on the other, is the visual payoff for a day you will be describing to people for years. Practically, the ferry timetable is the hinge point. The last fast ferry from Büyükada departs around 20:30 in summer. The conventional ferry is slower but more atmospheric. Build in buffer time — island days have a way of extending themselves, and missing the sunset departure is a genuine frustration. MerrySails can advise on timing when you book your cruise. Our team has coordinated hundreds of combined island-and-Bosphorus days for guests and knows exactly where the schedule friction points are.