The Princes' Islands are, an archipelago consisting of nine various sized islands
in the Marmara Sea just a few miles away from Asian Istanbul. It is less than
an hour by boat (ferry) from the city center. Since driving is forbidden in the
islands, they offer peace, a resort atmosphere and quiet natural environment.
Walks or tours with horse carriages through the streets between beautiful wooden
houses, restaurants and cafes scattered mostly along the seaside, and beaches
allowing people to swim are among the simple joys you can find there. Throughout
the summer and especially on weekends, private boats, and yachts anchor in the
beautiful coves surrounding every island. Woods and parks cover the hills on
the islands and residences line the northern shores that face the Asian side
of Istanbul.
All nine islands together form a municipality, the mayor's office being in
Bykada, the largest island of all. Bykada, Heybeli, Burgaz,
K覺nal覺 and recently Sedef have permanent residents. Their combined
population is about 20.000, however this number increases more than 120,000
during summers, especially after the school year ends and summer houses are
inhabited.
During the Byzantine period, the islands were collectively a religious center
with many monasteries while some of there were used as imperial summer residences.
The name "Princes' Islands" is derived from the fact that princes
were sent there in exile. Those were the ones regarded as threatening the throne.
One of most famous exiles is the Empress Eirene, mother of Emperor Constantin
VI who reigned during the late 8th century. During the Ottoman period land usage
and property rights were given to the Patriarchate. The islands were attractive
in the past to non-Moslem groups. The settlement of a steady Turkish population
on the islands came about as late as the end of the 19th century.
Princes' Islands Tip
The islands lay as a brilliant necklace on the Marmara Sea near Istanbul are
considered one of the most important excursion sites. After a short and pleasant
ferry voyage you will arrive at the islands and feel the relaxed way of life.
You'll be fascinated with the well-arranged gardens of the pavilions and array
of trees and flowers such as acacia, redbud, oleander, tulip, jasmine, honeysuckle
and carnation. If you wish to spend a weekend at one of the beautiful hotels
on the Princes' Islands, do not forget to make reservation beforehand as they
are very popular and tend to be full in the summertime. If you catch a ferry
instead of sea bus, don't forget to throw a piece of Simit out over the
water and watch the gulls immediately grasp it before falling down the sea.
Each restaurant and cafe scattered around the islands exhibits a different view. Don't' miss mimosa season. It is again a very different and offers magnificent
view.
You can reach Bykada, Heybeli, K覺nal覺 or Burgaz by steamships or sea-busses
taking off from Kabata, Sirkeci, Kad覺k繹y and Bostanc覺. Also motors from Bostanc覺.
Ferries between Yalova and Istanbul leave from Kabata, near the Dolmabah蔒
Palace (about 3 times a day). Those ferries only stop at Burgaz, Heybeliada
and Bykada..
Frequent ferries (about 10 times a day) to Istanbul are available from all
the above islands. The ferry dock is at Sirkeci next to Emin繹njust across
from the Sirkeci Railway Station and is marked with word Adalar (Islands).
Those ferries also stop at Kad覺k繹y (the old port again marked as Adalar).
Very frequent ferries do inter-island journeys as well and are generally free
of charge.
The Seabus (Istanbul Deniz Otobsleri) is run by Municipality of Metropolitan
Istanbul. It is a catamaran with very frequent services to Istanbul and Yalova.
Four of the Princes' Islands, Burgaz, Bykada, Heybeli and K覺nal覺 are connected
by very frequent services from Kabata and less frequent from Sirkeci and Kad覺k繹y.
Sea bus services are less frequent from autumn till spring.
