The Princes’ Islands are composed of nine small islands just some 90 minutes off Istanbul, if you decide to go by ferry. Enjoy the exhilarating feeling of the wind playing with your hair, the sight of blue waters, as well as the prospect of spending the day at the beach.
This group of islands (just 20 kilometers off of Istanbul) is located in the Sea of Marmara, southeast of Istanbul. The four big islands are Buyukuda (Big Island), Burgazada, Heybeliada and Kinaliada. The five others include Tavsan, Sedef, Yassiada, Sivriada and Kasik. These are mainly uninhabited or are rarely part of the route taken by tourists who visit the Princes’ Islands.
And no, there isn’t a romantic explanation about their name. These were called the Princes’ Island because if Byzantine emperors wanted to get rid of pesky princes or empresses, they would just send these out to the islands where they were executed, exiled or blinded. The islands were also the site of some of the monasteries during the Byzantine times, probably because they were quite remote and hard to reach (before the advent of fast boats and ferries). That is why the islands were formerly called Kesis Adalari or Islands of the Monks.
This picture changed when the wealthy locals found out that these islands can be relaxing places indeed. During the Ottoman times, the city’s elite built their summer homes here. Pretty Victorian houses lined the islands’ narrow streets and became the jump off point of the tourism industry in this area. So now, you will find resorts and hotels in the side of Turkey.
What will immediately strike you as you explore the islands is the quiet ambience – only the clip-clop of horses’ feet break into the silence. A motor vehicle is a rare sight – in fact, private citizens are not allowed to have them on the island. The primary means of transportation would be the fayton (horse-drawn carriages), the bicycle or your own two feet.
There are around six to ten ferries plying the route to the Princes’ Islands and these usually leave from the Kabatas Ferry Dock or the Eminonu Ferry Dock. Before you leave, it would be helpful to know the itinerary and schedule of the ferries regarding what times they will stop at the different islands. You need to know this because you won’t be able to find shuttle boats that ply the route from one island to another. You will have to wait for the IDO ferries or hop on a private ferry. Also, do try to get to the dock at least 30 or 45 minutes prior to departure. This is especially true for the last or second to the last ferry going back to Istanbul. You may find yourself without a ticket as this is the time when the ferries will be quite crowded.
Another piece of advice – if you’re on a budget, it would be best to bring your food with you, as these do not come cheap in the islands.
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