Escape Istanbul
A Day on the Princes' Islands
No cars, pine forests, faded mansions — an hour from the city and a century away.
Why do it?
The Adalar are Istanbul's pressure valve: ferries, swimming coves, forested hills, and streets where the loudest sound is a bicycle bell. Nothing else this close resets you this hard.
The Smileys Take
Don't try to see all four islands — pick one and slow down. Büyükada is the grandest, Heybeliada the greenest, Burgazada the quietest. And note: the famous horse carriages were retired in 2020; it's electric shuttles, bikes, and your own feet now.
Getting there
- Ferries from Kabataş (European side) or Bostancı (Asian side) — Bostancı is faster and less crowded
- Order of stops: Kınalıada → Burgazada → Heybeliada → Büyükada
- Check the last ferry back before you settle into a long lunch
Good to know
- Bring cash — many island vendors and small restaurants don't take cards
- On Büyükada, walk or take the electric shuttle to the base of the Aya Yorgi hill, then climb — visitors tie a string along the path as a wish
- Kınalıada works as a half-day trip if a full day is too much
Need the practical details?
Ferries & the İstanbulkart →
Explore nearby
Do it with people
The Smileys community does things like this every week — organized events, spontaneous hangouts, and visitors looking for company.
Find your people
Tips from Smileys
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