A one day island tour in Istanbul, a one day island tour guide

There are no cars or traffic on these islands and you only see pine trees and old wooden houses. In the past, these islands were exiled by Byzantine and Ottoman princes, and this historical background has made them more attractive. If you also want to spend a day away from the crowd and walk in the heart of nature after booking a tour and travel to Istanbul, island tour is one of the best choices for you. In the following, we have prepared a complete guide of this fascinating experience for you.

The best islands in Istanbul for a one-day program

There are 9 islands in Prince Istanbul Islands; But among them, four islands are more famous and usually visited by Istanbul tour travelers. In the following, we introduce these four popular islands.

Buick Ada

Buyukada means big island and it is considered the most famous and largest island among the Prince Islands. This island has a special atmosphere with cobbled streets, old wooden houses with Ottoman architecture and a beautiful view of the sea. One of the most important attractions of the island is the Orthodox church of Ayia Yorgi, which is located on top of a hill. To reach it, you need to walk or ride a bike for about 30 minutes, but the view from the top of the hill to the island and the Marmara Sea is truly spectacular. If you decide to return to Iran after visiting Buyukada, it is better to book a ticket from Istanbul to Tehran in advance so that you don’t have to worry about the flight capacity being full.

• Sights of Büyük Ada: Clock Square and surrounding historic buildings, historic churches such as Panaya and San Pacifico, and the island’s old orphanage

Hibli Ada Island

Hibli Ada is the second largest island in Istanbul and has a green nature and a peaceful atmosphere. The quiet streets of this island are filled with pine trees and old villas, and many consider it the most peaceful island of Princes. In the southern part of the island, there is a quiet bay of Chamlimati, which is a great place for a picnic, relaxing and enjoying the silence of nature. In Hibli Ada, you can experience hiking in the forest paths, cycling or touring with electric cars. If you travel in the hot season, swimming in the rocky beaches and fishing are also popular activities on this island.

Sights of Hibli Ada: Halki Monastery and Orthodox Theological School, Kamariotissa Byzantine Church, Hamidiyeh Mosque

Burgas Ada Island

Burgas Ada is the third largest island in Istanbul. Narrow streets, colorful old houses and the calm atmosphere of the island have made many people fall in love here. The famous Turkish writer Saeed Faiq Abbasyanik lived on this island for many years and today his house has been turned into a museum. The sunset of this island is very famous; Many travelers sit in the beach cafes or on the heights of the island in the evenings to watch the beautiful sunset.

Sightseeing places in Burgaz Ada: Aya Yani historical church, Hamidiyeh mosque and Kalpazan Kaya beach resort

Kinali Ada Island

Kinali Ada is the smallest and closest inhabited island of Istanbul to the coast, which makes you reach it in less than 30 minutes by boat. The name of this island means henna island; Because the soil of its hills has a red color due to the presence of old copper and iron mines. Unlike the three bigger islands of Istanbul, which have dense forests, Kinali Ada is mostly made up of rocky hills and its atmosphere seems a little more modern and secluded. One of the best things to do on the island is to cycle around the island and try fresh seafood at the waterfront restaurants.

Sights of Kinali Ada: The historical Monastery of Tjali, watching the white and old mansions

How to go to the islands of Istanbul?

To go to the islands of Istanbul, you need to use passenger ships, because there are no land vehicles in these islands. In Istanbul, there are three main piers to go to the islands. Kabatash Wharf is located in the European part and near Taksim Square. Aminonu Wharf is near the Sultanahmet area and the Grand Bazaar, and Kadikow Wharf is located in the Asian part of Istanbul. You can go to Prince Islands from one of these piers depending on where you are staying.

• Travel time: Travel time varies depending on the pier you board and the island you are going to. For example, the journey from Kabatash to Buyuk Ada may take about 2 hours.
• Timing of ships: The ships usually start early in the morning and continue until the evening. The exact departure time is displayed on the boards of each pier. Usually, the last ferries from Büyükada return to Istanbul between 19:00 and 20:30.

Suggested one-day itinerary for island hopping in Istanbul

If you plan to spend a whole day in the islands of Istanbul, it is better to have a general plan in advance. Below is a suggested itinerary for a day trip to Buyukada Island.

• Morning: Around 8-9 in the morning, depart from the hotel to Kabataş pier and go to the islands with one of the ships. You usually arrive at Buyukada around 10:30. After disembarking, you can rent a bicycle near the pier. If you are accompanied by elderly people or children, you can also rent small electric cars. Ride a bike around the pier and the center of the village to get to know the atmosphere of the island.
• Noon: At around 11 o’clock, move towards the forest areas and Aya Yorgi hill by bike. The route around the island is about 10 kilometers and passes through quiet streets, old mansions and scenic beaches. He reached the foot of the hill around noon; Lock the bike and walk uphill for about 15-20 minutes to reach the historical church of Aya Yorgi. At the top of the hill, you will see a very beautiful view of the island and the Sea of ​​Marmara. After resting and taking photos, go back down at around 14:00 and go to one of the beach restaurants on the island for lunch.
• Evening: After lunch, return the bike and spend the rest of the day walking around the center of the island. Around Saat square there are small souvenir shops, handicrafts and old ice cream shops. It is suggested to try the traditional Turkish ice cream from the famous ice cream shops of the island. Until sunset, you can sit in one of the beach cafes near the pier, drink tea or Turkish coffee and enjoy the tranquility of the seaside. Finally, board the ship at 6 pm and return to Istanbul.

final word

If you are planning to travel to Istanbul, I suggest you set aside a whole day to visit the islands of this city. An island tour in Istanbul is an opportunity to see a different face of this busy city; Where there is no traffic and congestion. Each of Prince’s islands has its own beauty; From Buyuk Ada, which is the largest island of Prince, to Hibli Ada, Burgas Ada and Kinali Ada, you can choose one island depending on your taste or if you have more time, see several islands in one day or several different days.