Half a day on Büyükada: ferries, walks and bikes

Büyükada is the largest of İstanbul's Princes' Islands, at about 5.4 km². Private motor vehicles are not allowed, so the island is explored on foot, by bike or by electric vehicle. This guide covers the ferry trip and a half-day walk from the pier.

Getting there by ferry

Şehir Hatları, the city ferry company, runs the main services. Its winter timetable is valid from 7 September 2026 to 27 June 2027. On the European side, the Kabataş–Adalar line starts at Kabataş, with some sailings from Eminönü. It calls at Kadıköy, Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada before Büyükada. Some sailings continue to Bostancı. The winter timetable shows about 1 hour 45 minutes from Kabataş to Büyükada.

From the Asian side, Şehir Hatları also runs boats from Bostancı and Maltepe. A separate line links the islands with Kadıköy and Beşiktaş. Sailings are less frequent in winter than in summer, so note the last boat back before you leave the pier.

Around the pier

Ferries dock at the Büyükada pier building, designed by the architect Mihran Azaryan in the early 20th century. A short walk uphill leads to the square with the clock tower. Cafés, shops and bike rental places line the streets around it. The Hamidiye Mosque, built for Sultan Abdülhamid II, is a few streets inland.

Mansions and the climb to Aya Yorgi

Çankaya Caddesi is lined with 19th-century wooden mansions. The Con Paşa Köşkü is one of them. After his deportation from the Soviet Union in 1929, Leon Trotsky lived on the island until 1933. Most mansions are private homes, so they are seen from the street.

The church and monastery of Aya Yorgi stand on Yücetepe, the island's highest hill at about 200 m. The first building on the summit dates from the 6th century. The road up is steep and long, with a rocky stretch near the top. On the northern hill, İsa Tepesi, stands the large wooden former Greek Orphanage from 1898. It is closed to visitors.

Getting around the island

Before you go, check the current timetable on the Şehir Hatları website (sehirhatlari.istanbul). The summer and winter timetables differ, and the last boat back from Büyükada leaves in the evening.