Istanbul · Sea of Marmara
Princes' Islands, Istanbul: The Complete Travel Guide
Car-free islands of pine forest, Victorian mansions and clear Marmara water, an hour from the city. Everything you need to plan a Princes' Islands day trip from Istanbul.
The Princes’ Islands — known in Turkish as Adalar— are a cluster of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, just off the coast of Istanbul. For centuries a place of exile and summer escape, today they are the city’s most beloved day trip: a car-free world of pine forest, pastel wooden mansions, horse-free lanes and clear swimming water, all reachable by an easy ferry ride.
Whether you’ve searched for the Princes’ Islands, Prince Islands, the Princess Islands or simply the islands near Istanbul, you’re in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect visit — how to get there, which island to choose, what to do once you arrive, where to swim, and how to time your ferry so the day runs smoothly from start to finish.
A car-free escape, one hour from the city
What makes the Princes’ Islands special is what they lack: private cars are banned across the archipelago. You explore on foot, by bicycle, or aboard the quiet electric shuttles that replaced the islands’ famous horse-drawn phaetons. The result is a rare pocket of calm within reach of a city of sixteen million — birdsong instead of traffic, sea air instead of exhaust, and the slow rhythm of an Ottoman summer resort preserved into the present day.
- Islands in total
- 9
- Easy to visit
- 4
- Ferry from Istanbul
- ~1 hr
- Cars allowed
- 0
The archipelago
The Princes' Islands, one by one
Five islands you can visit, each with its own character — from grand, bustling Büyükada to the tiny beach retreat of Sedef. Tap any island for a full guide.
Stop 4Büyükada
~55 min“Big Island” — the largest of the Princes' Islands
Best for first-time visitors who want the full, iconic princes' islands experience.
Explore Büyükada
Stop 3Heybeliada
~45 min“Saddlebag Island” — named for its two-humped shape
Best for travellers wanting forest walks and swimming with fewer crowds.
Explore Heybeliada
Stop 2Burgazada
~40 min“Fortress Island” — from the ancient Greek Antigoni
Best for slow travellers and anyone chasing a laid-back local vibe.
Explore Burgazada
Stop 1Kınalıada
~35 min“Henna Island” — for its reddish, iron-rich soil
Best for a quick beach escape when time is short.
Explore Kınalıada
Stop 5Sedef Island
~65 min“Mother-of-Pearl Island” — a tiny beach retreat
Best for a beach day away from the busier islands.
Explore Sedef IslandPlan your visit
Everything you need, before you sail
From ferry schedules to swimming spots, these guides answer the questions travellers ask most about the Princes' Islands.
How to get there
Ferries, sea buses and private boats from Kabataş, Eminönü, Kadıköy and Bostancı — with journey times and step-by-step directions.
Ferry schedule & tickets
How the Princes’ Islands ferry works: timetables, ticket prices, the Istanbulkart and which boat to board.
Tours & cruises
Compare guided day tours and boat cruises from Istanbul, from budget group trips to private island cruises.
Things to do
The Aya Yorgi climb, cycling car-free lanes, mansion-spotting, swimming and long seafood lunches.
Beaches & swimming
Where to swim across the islands — the best beaches and beach clubs, and when the season runs.
A perfect day trip
An hour-by-hour itinerary that gets the timing right, from the morning ferry out to the sunset ferry home.
Quick answers
Princes' Islands FAQ
How do you get to the Princes' Islands from Istanbul?+
Regular public ferries sail to the Princes' Islands from Kabataş and Eminönü on the European side and from Kadıköy and Bostancı on the Asian side. The fastest crossing, from Bostancı, reaches the first island in about 35 minutes; from Kabataş, Büyükada takes around 55 minutes. You pay with an Istanbulkart, the same card used across the city.
Which Princes' Island is the best to visit?+
Büyükada, the largest island, is the best choice for a first visit — it has the most to see, from Victorian mansions to the Aya Yorgi hilltop church. For pine forests and quieter swimming, choose Heybeliada; for a peaceful local mood, Burgazada; and for the quickest beach trip, Kınalıada, the closest island to the city.
Are the Princes' Islands worth visiting?+
For most travellers, yes. The islands are car-free, wrapped in pine forest and lined with grand wooden mansions, offering a calm counterpoint to Istanbul's intensity. A day trip combines a scenic ferry ride, gentle walking or cycling, sea views and fresh seafood. The main downside is summer weekend crowds, easily avoided by visiting on a weekday or in spring and autumn.
Can you swim on the Princes' Islands?+
Yes. The islands have some of the clearest bathing water near Istanbul, with beach clubs and public swimming spots on Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada and tiny Sedef Island. The swimming season runs roughly from June to September.
How many Princes' Islands are there?+
There are nine islands in the archipelago, but only four are readily visited by public ferry — Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada — plus the small beach island of Sedef. The others are largely uninhabited or off-limits.
Ready to plan your island day?
Start with the one thing every visit depends on — getting the ferry right. Our step-by-step guide has you covered.
How to get to the islands