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PRINCES' ISLANDS

The Princes' Islands are a chain of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara;

  1. Büyükada, meaning "Large Island" in Turkish. "Prinkipo", Prince in Greek with an area 5.46 km2 (2.11 sq mi).
  2. Heybeliada, "Saddlebag Island" in Turkish. "Halki" in Greek with an area of 2.4 km2 (0.93 sq mi).
  3. Burgazada, "Rocky Island" in Turkish. "Antigoni" in Greek, the name of a mythological figure with an area of 1.5 km2 (0.58 sq mi).
  4. Kınalıada, meaning "Henna Island". "Proti" in Greek, meaning "First", being the closest island to Istanbul with an area of 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi).
  5. Sedef Adası, meaning "Mother-of-Pearl Island".  "Antirovithos" in Greek with an area of 0.157 km2 (0.061 sq mi).
  6. Yassıada, meaning "Flat Island". Plati in Greek with an area of 0.05 km2 (0.019 sq mi).
  7. Sivriada, meaning "Sharp Island".  Oxeia in Greek with an area of 0.05 km2 (0.019 sq mi).
  8. Kaşık Island, meaning "Spoon Island". Pita in Greek with an area of 0.006 km2 (0.0023 sq mi).
  9. Tavşanadası, meaning "Rabbit Island". Neandros in Greek, the name of a mythological figure with an area of 0.004 km2 (0.0015 sq mi).

Only first fours; Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada are inhabited.
During the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, princes and other royalty who were seen as challengers to the throne were exiled there giving the islands their present name. Until 19th century islands were almost empty but during the nineteenth century, the islands became popular resorts for Istanbul's wealthy, and Victorian-era cottages and houses are still preserved on the largest of the Princes' Islands. Demographic structure of islands was more Armenians, Jewish and especially Greeks until 1950’s but today few amount of Armenians and couple of hundreds Greeks living in islands.

Most famous PALACEs in islands Ayia Yorgi Church and Monastery dating back to the sixth century, in Aya Yorgi Hill in Buyukada and the Ayios Dimitrios Church
During the summer months the Princes’ Islands are popular destinations for day trips from Istanbul. Motorized vehicles – except service vehicles – are forbidden, so visitors explore the island by foot, bicycle, in horse-drawn carriages.

There are many 19th century wooden houses mainly in European style as well as Turkish style with incredibly peaceful ambiance.

Only way to reach to the islands from city is by the sea. They are just a short ferry ride from both the Asian (at Bostancı and also Kartal) and European sides (from Kabataş) of Istanbul. Most ferries call in turn at the four largest of the nine islands: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and finally Büyükada. Ferry services are provided by Istanbul Seabuses (İDO), a firm operated by the municipality of Istanbul. In spring and autumn the islands are quiet and pleasant, although the sea can be rough in spring, autumn and winter.

Book the tour for PRINCES' ISLANDS

 
 
ok BASILICA CISTERN ok DOLMABAHCE PALACE ok SPICE BAZAAR
ok BLUE MOSQUE ok EMINONU SQUARE ok SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
ok BOSPHORUS ok GALATA TOWER ok PRINCES ISLAND
ok CAMLICA HILL ok GRAND BAAZAR ok TOPKAPI PALACE
ok CHORA MUSEUM ok HAGIA SOPHIA ok WOODEN SUMMER HOUSES
ok ANADOLU KAVAGI ok BEYLERBEYI PALACE ok LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA
ok PAMMAKARISTOS CHURCH ok POYRAZKOY ok RUMELI FORTRESS
ok HIPODROME ok GOLDEN HORN and PIERRE LOTI HILL ok ORTAKOY
ok MAIDEN TOWER ok TAKSIM SQUARE & ISTIKLAL STREET  
 
 
 
PRINCES' ISLANDS
PRINCES' ISLANDS
PRINCES' ISLANDS
 
daily istanbul tours
Historical Treasuries
Hippodrome
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Topkapı Palace
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
 
Highlights of Istanbul
Highlights of Istanbul
Cruise tour with private boat in Golden Horn and Bosporus
Drive along the Golden Horn to Pierre Loti Hill
Short cable car experience
Dolmabahçe Palace
Drive over the Bosporus Bridge
Step to the Asian part, the highest point in the city with full view of Istanbul
 
Cruise in Bosporus
Cruise in Bosphorus
Cruise in Bosphorus, passing under two Bosporus Bridges
See both sides of the city (Asia and Europe) from the sea
Come alongside of the Asian side of the city
Have a small break in a nice suburb of Asian side called Kanlica
 
Bosporus and Black Sea Cruise
Cruise in the Bosphorus and the Black Sea coast
Drive from the old city to the pier of Kabatas to start the cruise
Stop in Ortakoy to visit the district and feel its cosmopolitan ambience
Cross to the Asian side of the city to visit the summer palace called "Beylerbeyi"
The fortress of Europe
Anadolu Kavagi
 
Prince’s Islands Tour
Princes' Islands Tour
Sail from the city to the Sea of Marmara
Visit to Kinali and Heybeli Islands
Have a stop in Buyukada (Great Island)
Have lunch on the boat and swimming break in the secret bay of the island
 
 
 
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