How to get to the Princes’ Islands: ferry or private yacht, and what to see

There are two ways to get to the Princes’ Islands from Istanbul: the public ferry or a private yacht. The ferry is cheap and runs on a timetable, but on warm weekends it can be packed, and you see the islands from a shared deck. A yacht costs more, but it’s booked for your group only, and the day goes the way you want: a swim in summer, a quiet cove, and a walk ashore if we agree on it when you book. Below is what you’ll find on the islands, how to get there and how to choose.

What are the Princes’ Islands?

The Princes’ Islands — Adalar in Turkish, simply “the Islands” — sit in the Sea of Marmara, southeast of Istanbul’s historic center. It’s another side of the city: green, quiet, with no cars and no traffic. Expect old wooden mansions in leafy gardens, pine woods, monasteries on hilltops and small restaurants by the water. Locals come here to get away from the city, especially in summer.

When people talk about visiting the islands, they usually mean the four with regular ferry service: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada. You don’t need to see all of them. One or two islands make a comfortable day.

What to see on each island

Büyükada

The largest island and the busiest. Streets of wooden mansions start right from the pier, many of them built as summer houses for Istanbul families. The island is easy to explore on foot or by bike. On top of one of the hills stands the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. George (Aya Yorgi). The walk up is steep, but the view over the sea and the neighboring islands is worth it. Cafés and fish restaurants line the waterfront, and there are beaches along the coast.

Heybeliada

The second-largest island, green and calmer than Büyükada. It has plenty of pine forest and footpaths. On a hilltop you’ll see the building of the Greek Orthodox theological school known as the Halki Seminary. Heybeliada suits people who just want to walk under the pines and sit by the water.

Burgazada

A small, quiet island of homes and gardens. It’s where you’ll find the house museum of Sait Faik Abasıyanık, a Turkish author who wrote a great deal about island life and local fishermen. Fewer visitors come here than to the two big islands, and that’s its charm.

Kınalıada

The island closest to the city. It has less greenery than its neighbors, with open hillsides and a short waterfront. From the water you get a clear view of its hills and the houses along the shore.

Getting there by ferry

Ferries to the islands leave from both sides of the city. On the European side, they go from Kabataş and Eminönü; on the Asian side, from Bostancı, among others. Both public ferries and private passenger boats make the trip.

A ferry usually calls at the islands one after another: Kınalıada first, then Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada. So Büyükada is the longest ride. Timetables change with the season, so check the operator’s website before you go.

From Eminönü, the simplest boat trip to the islands is the ferry itself. The pros are clear: it’s cheap and there’s nothing to book. The cons: on summer weekends there are lines for the boat both ways, the deck is shared, and the timetable decides when you leave and when you come back. For a wider comparison, read our guide to choosing between the Bosphorus ferry, a group tour and a private yacht.

Getting there by private yacht

On a yacht, there’s no timetable to follow. For a day like this, we have the Princes’ Islands Yacht Cruise: eight hours on a private yacht, from the city’s waterfront across the Sea of Marmara to the islands and back. The price is for the whole tour, not per person.

What’s different on a yacht:

• Just your group on board. No lines at the gangway and no strangers on deck.
• The islands from the water. Depending on the program, you’ll pass Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada. The exact route depends on the boarding point and conditions on the water.
• Swimming. From June to August you can swim off the islands — it’s the most popular spot for a swim. Swimming is possible with the captain’s approval and only where it’s allowed.
• Going ashore. If it’s part of the plan, you can walk around an island or have lunch at a restaurant. Going ashore, meals and mooring fees are confirmed separately, when you book.
• Food on board. Lunch and catering can be added. You can bring your own food and drinks: on some yachts it’s free, on others there’s a small service fee.

We usually leave from one of our main boarding points: Bebek, Arnavutköy, Karaköy or the Golden Horn. Another boarding point is possible on request: free if it’s nearby; if the yacht has to travel to a boarding point farther away, that time is charged at the yacht’s hourly rate. We’ll send the exact boarding spot on WhatsApp once your booking is confirmed.

Ferry or private yacht: the short version

The ferry suits a couple on a budget who don’t mind weekend crowds. A yacht makes sense for a group, for a slow day by the water, or when you’re showing the islands to guests: the tour price is split among everyone on board.

When to go

The busiest months run roughly from April–May to September–October. In summer the islands feel almost like a resort: you can swim, go ashore, walk around and stop at a restaurant. The swimming season is June to August. Summer is when the islands trip is booked most, but our Princes’ Islands Yacht Cruise runs in winter too. There’s no swimming in winter, but you can still go ashore and walk around the islands; we agree going ashore with you when you book.

Spring and fall are quieter, and walking the mansion-lined streets is more pleasant than in the summer heat. We sail all year round, and every yacht has a heated saloon, so there’s always somewhere warm on a cool day. For more on the seasons, see our guide to the best time for a Bosphorus cruise.

The captain always makes the call. If there’s a storm or it isn’t safe to go out, we’ll move your cruise to another convenient date free of charge.

Short on time?

A full day at the islands doesn’t suit every schedule. If you only have a few hours, look at our Classic Bosphorus Cruise: the palaces, waterside mansions and bridges of the Bosphorus from the water. For a morning, there’s the Turkish Breakfast Cruise. You can see every yacht with photos, classes and prices on our yachts page.