Princes' Islands

The Princes' Islands (Adalar) are an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, off the Asian shore of İstanbul. Together they form the city's Adalar district. Four of them are large and inhabited: Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada. Private motor vehicles are not allowed. People walk, cycle or use electric vehicles. Horse-drawn carriages were withdrawn in 2020.

Büyükada is the largest island, at about 5.4 km². The Aya Yorgi church and monastery stand on Yücetepe, its highest hill at about 200 m. The first building there dates from the 6th century. Streets such as Çankaya Caddesi are lined with 19th-century wooden mansions. On Heybeliada, the Halki Seminary, founded in 1844 and closed since 1971, stands on a hilltop. The buildings of the Naval School overlook the pier.

Şehir Hatları ferries leave from Kabataş, Eminönü, Kadıköy, Bostancı and Maltepe. From Kabataş, the trip to Büyükada takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Many streets are steep, so wear comfortable shoes.