Buyukada, Princes Islands Istanbul Travel Guide & Travel Blog, Car Free Ecological Island Near Istanbul
Charming Car Free Ecological Island Buyukada, Princes Islands Istanbul Travel Guide & Travel Blog.
Buyukada Princes Islands is car free and traffic free, and is definitely one of the least polluted places in the world.
A boat trip along the Bosphorus is a wonderful thing to do. But if you want to see Istanbul and its historical part with Aya Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque and the ruins of the ancient Byzantine Wall as it was seen from the Marmara Sea in ancient times by sailers from abroad, then the best way to do is a trip to the Princes Islands and Buyukada, the biggest and the most interesting of them.
The Princes Islands, or Adalar as called by Turkish citizens, are an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara situated just opposite of Bostanci and Kartal districts of Istanbul.
Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul’s Princes Islands, is a peaceful escape from the city life noise, hustle & bustle. With its great ecology, fresh air, pine forests, charming historic mansions, and stunning views of Marmara Sea, it’s the perfect destination for Istanbul Travelers or locals Istanbullers for a day trip, weekends or holiday days.
The island was traditionally populated by community of Greek people, and initially was called Prinkipos.
During the Byzantine Empire Buyukada served as a place of exile and imprisonments of influential persons until the end of XII century. Among them were emperors, their wives and patriarchs.
From Istanbul, you can get to the Princes Islands from Bostanci, Maltepe, Kartal, Kadikoy, Karakoy, Eminönü, Kabatas or Besiktas using ferry.
You need to find the pier where it’s written Büyükada.
The journey time is about 40 minutes from Istanbul Kadikoy on Asian side and 1.5 hours from European side of Istanbul.
The ferries are quite comfortable, with heated indoor space in winters. There is also accommodation on the top on open deck, best for warm time of the year.
There is little café on the board, where travelers can buy chocolates, chips, simits, sweets, sandwiches, tea, coffee, salep or juices on the way to Prince Islands or back to Istanbul.
The wonderful part of Buyukada is their old times vintage feel, especially because cars are not allowed on the Princes Islands.
Instead, you can rent a bicycle, and also use service of electric cars, taking tourists around the beautiful island of Buyukada.
There are many rental spots just near the ferry terminal. Alternatively, walking through the island’s scenic historical streets is a wonderful way to soak in the atmosphere of the old times and vivid street life.
Main Top Places & Attractions To Visit On Buyukada Prince Islands
1. The main attraction on Buyukada is Old Greek Monastery & Aya Yorgi St. George Church, located up mountain, with marvelous top views over Marmara Sea, Princes Islands & Istanbul.
To get there, the most easy way is to hire bike or use little electricity bus or car.
There is beautiful pine forest starting up the hill just behind the Buyukada shopping and living area. For those, who like long sporty walks, it’s possible to just walk up to hill, enjoying the amazing views and fresh air. On the middle of the way, there is little restaurant with Turkish Kofte and lots of other options available.
In the forest you can meet horses, sometimes walking free and cows.
2. Just on your road uphill to St. George Church, in the middle of the Natural Park, you will see the famous abandoned Prinkipo Greek Orthodox Orphanage, the largest wooden structure in the world.
The road back down the hill is easy and pleasant, and I recommend it to walk instead of going with car.
3. Shopping is next thing to do on Buyukada, there is charming little shops all along the main street.
Family Owned From 19th Century and one of the oldest on the Princes islands Authentic Natural Recipes Soap Shop, souvenirs, accessories, essential oils cosmetics and traditional Turkish clothes shops are some of them. There is also antique apothecary. You will find Supermarkets as Migros, BIM, Sok and Carrefour, also Namli supermarket with amazing fruit department. In addition there are family owned fruit shops called Manavs with the best quality selected fruits.
Bostan Manav is the best fruit shop I recommend on the Princes Islands and Buyukada, especially because owners are so friendly and quality of fruits is excellent.
If you want to buy cakes or ice cream Cafe Mado has one of the most delicious wide choice ice creams, cheesecakes and other cakes on Buyukada.
Bakeries, Baklava shops, Ice Cream shop, Cafes selling Boreks, Pizzas, Lahmacuns.
Street stalls with delicious boiled or grilled corn, chestnuts and fried sweets are sold close to Harbour and Cafe Mado.
You can find best baklava in the little bakery shop, alongside the Cafe.
4. Walking down the harbour, enjoying seagulls and amazing Istanbul view, strolling the old streets, surrounded by tall lush trees, beautiful historical wooden houses, gardens and of course roses.
There is lots of cats on streets of Istanbul, and Princes Islands have even more of them. Cute, beautiful or pretty ….. Cats are everywhere on Buyukada, so please do not forget to ask them for photoshoot in exchange for little gifts.
You can buy food for them in any local supermarket as Namli or Carrefour on the main shopping street. There is also special animal food shop found close to hotel Prinkipos.
Best Buyukada Hotels, Luxury Hotels & Boutique Hotels
If you want to stay in Buyukada for the night, two, or may be for a week there is the several amazing hotels with sea view and boutique hotels on the Princes Islands. Some of them also includes breakfast and there is major discounts in off season time.
Alternatively, there is possible to rent very good apartments on Airbnb.com, usually located uphill on the island.
If you stay on Buyukada more than one day, you can enjoy romantic evening promenades near the pier, and visiting more of local cafes and restaurants, with the night walks especially pleasant in summer times, when day heat will be cooled by sea breeze.
There is many good kebabs, fish and kofte restaurants can be found on the main street. Italian Restaurant is one of the best on the Buyukada. Buyukada Restaurants can be quite pricey. For cheaper alternative visit Konak restaurant.
Sweet Tooth Recommendation: The best evening dessert is Firin Sutlac (very delicious, fat, sweet rice pudding). You can buy it in Konak, any other restaurant or in Namli, Sok, 101 or Bim supermarkets.
Best Breakfast Recommendation on Princes Islands :
