This car-free Turkish island has grand 19th-century Ottoman mansions and pine forests. Visitors explore by bike or horse-drawn carriages along winding coastal paths.
Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, sits in the Sea of Marmara with forests of pine trees and wooden mansions built in the 1800s. Cars are not allowed here—people get around by bicycle or small electric vehicles, making it a calm getaway just an hour by ferry from Istanbul. Walk up to the Hagios Georgios Koudonas monastery to see views of the sea and city, visit the Museum of the Princes’ Islands to learn about local history, or bike past houses where famous exiles like Leon Trotsky once lived. The island includes Greek Orthodox churches, Ottoman-era buildings, and seafood restaurants along the shore, reflecting its history as a retreat for Istanbul’s Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities.
How to Reach Büyükada
Public ferries from Şehir Hatları and private companies such as Mavi Marmara run between Büyükada and Istanbul’s European and Asian sides. Trips from Kabataş, Eminönü, Kadıköy, or Bostancı take 40 to 60 minutes. Ferries before noon are less crowded, particularly during summer. When you arrive at Adalar Port, you’ll find bike rental shops and cafes around the square. Check ferry schedules ahead of time, as fewer boats run after sunset.
Biking and Electric Transport on the Island
Rent a bicycle close to the ferry terminal to explore roads shaded by villas with jasmine gardens. A full loop around the island takes about two hours, taking you past beaches such as Yörükali and Kumsal, though many charge a small fee for entry. Electric taxis can take you on guided trips to places like the Splendid Palace Hotel, an Art Nouveau building from 1911 that once hosted Edward VIII. For a steeper route, pedal inland to Luna Park, where trails lead up Yücetepe Hill.
Hagios Georgios Koudonas Monastery
This Greek Orthodox monastery on Yücetepe Hill dates back to the 10th century. From Luna Park, a 20-minute uphill walk brings you to a chapel and a viewing terrace overlooking Istanbul. On April 23, people gather here for St. George’s Day, walking silently without shoes before sharing wine and grilled sausages at the monastery’s café. Start your hike early to avoid the midday sun and groups of visitors.
Historic Buildings and Streets
Stroll down Çankaya Caddesi to see grand Victorian-style mansions from when wealthy Istanbul families spent summers here. Near the port, the red Hamidiye Mosque stands a short walk from the Kamariotissa Church on Heybeliada, which was built during Byzantine times. Look for the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, a massive wooden structure completed in 1898 as a luxury hotel. Though now closed and slowly crumbling, it remains the biggest wooden building in Europe.
Museum of the Princes’ Islands
This museum near Aya Nikola Bay opened in 2010 and uses photos, maps, and recorded stories to explain the islands’ past. Displays cover topics like early monasteries, the arrival of artists in the 1900s, and changes in local life. All information is written in Turkish and English, and a short film highlights important events. After visiting, walk to the 16th-century St. Nicholas Monastery, tucked into a pine forest nearby.
Leon Trotsky’s Former Home
The yellow house where Leon Trotsky stayed after leaving the USSR in 1929 is located near Nizam Mahallesi. Now owned by a private family and showing signs of age, the building has no signs or markers. You can’t go inside, but it’s a quiet place to think about the years Trotsky spent here writing The History of the Russian Revolution.
Where to Eat and Drink
Restaurants like Yücetepe and Prinkipo Meyhanese near the port specialize in grilled sea bass, octopus salad, and other meze dishes. For a quick meal, try a balık ekmek (fish sandwich) from a stall by the water. Büyükada Pastanesi, a bakery open since 1937, is known for its cherry jam and almond-filled cookies. Finish your day at a tea garden with a glass of apple tea and a bowl of sunflower seeds, watching horse-drawn carriages pass by.
Best Times to Visit and Tips
Weekends in summer get very busy, so plan your trip for a weekday or visit in spring or fall. Mornings are best for biking before families arrive. If beaches are full, try walking forest paths on the island’s south side or visiting quieter spots like the Hızır İlyas Hill viewpoint. Bring a water bottle and hat—many coastal paths have little shade. After sunset, when most day-trippers have left, the gaslit streets near the port become quiet and relaxed.
