Prince Islands in Istanbul is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Turkey, located in the Asian part of Istanbul, which is the only city in the world located on two different continents, and they can only be reached by ships.
Although Turkey has many tourist attractions, these islands are one of the most popular options for those looking to travel to Turkey.
If you are planning to visit Turkey, the Prince Islands in Istanbul can be one of the best options for you ..
Prince Islands was once the home of exiled princes, but today it is a luxury resort for leisure and recreation, attracting many tourists around the world.
Overview of The Prince Islands
Prince Islands is a group of nine relatively small islands located in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, of which 4 are the most visited:
- Büyükada
- Heybeli ada
- Burgazada
- Kınalıada
These are the only islands that people usually visit. The names of these islands come from the fact that the princes were exiled to these islands during the Ottoman and Byzantine eras, but today they’ve become a luxurious place for entertainment and recreation, and an important tourist attraction center for tourists and Istanbul residents to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Büyükada Island, is the largest island, and it has the largest number of tourists.
Tourist attractions in Prince Islands
If you are traveling to Istanbul and want to spend time in peace, make sure to put the Prince Islands as your priority, because these islands will offer you the beauty of nature with no hustle and bustle of the city, as cars are prohibited in all parts of the islands, and you can only use a bicycle or a carriage, of course, the municipality and the police is an exception to this rule, which is a strong reason for more security on these islands, as well as for less pollution and traffic.
The virgin nature and excellent weather alone can attract tourists to visit these islands, but it does not end there, as there are archaeological and historical landmarks on BuyukAda Island, that will definitely take your attention.
The most famous of these monuments is the Ayurvedic Church, which is located on the top of a hill on the island dating back to the sixth century.
Don’t miss the beautiful view of the sea on these islands. On the other side, when you come down from the hill, you will find an ancient Greek orphanage with a 20,000 square meter wooden building, which is one of the most exciting places on the island.
Additionally, on this island, you can see the church of Eos Nicholas, Gregory’s father, and the Hamidiye Mosque, as well as the remains of an ancient hotel from the nineteenth century.
Not all monuments and monuments are on BuyukAda Island only, as there are many other monuments on these islands, especially Heybeliada island, which attracts tourists with its old and narrow streets.
Accommodation and amenities in Prince Islands
Although you have traveled to the prince islands in the heart of nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there are also great entertainment facilities on these islands, as there are many beautiful hotels in BuyukAda, some of which may be 100 years old, but still has great amenities and luxury.
Ada Plus Hotel is one of the most famous hotels on the island, it shows the splendor of history with its ancient design and architecture, while providing excellent services for travelers.
There is another famous hotel on the big island, usually always full of tourists, and this famous hotel is called Splendid Palace and was built in 1908. With a design similar to the French cities, that amazes every tourist.
If you want to stay in the suites overlooking the sea, you can go to Kınalıada Island, where the suites and summer houses are rented to tourists at a reasonable price.
In addition to enjoying the beautiful nature, you can enjoy sightseeing on the island with a horse-drawn carriage.
Do not forget that some of the famous restaurants in Istanbul are located on these islands and you can enjoy a delicious meal during your trip to the Prince Islands.
How to go to Prince Islands
You can only go to the Prince Islands in Istanbul by sea because there is no airport on these islands.
The islands are not far from Istanbul, but the time spent on the road depends on the type of boat you choose.
You can choose between 3 types of boats:
- Regular passenger boats.
- Speed boats.
- Sea buses.
It takes at least an hour to arrive at these Islands.
The boat can be taken from Kabataş Station, which can be reached by tram line or Istanbul metro line.
On weekends, if the weather is sunny, the boats fill up quickly and you must stand in a long line until it is your turn to board the boat, so it is best to go very early in the morning.
