The Princes' Islands

Off the Asian shore of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara, the Princes' Islands (Adalar in Turkish, also called Kızıl Adalar, the "red islands") form an archipelago of nine islands, four large and five small. They are closed to private cars: people get around on foot, by bike or by electric bus. In the 19th century they became the summer retreat of Istanbul's wealthy families, and their villas and mansions from that period still stand, alongside monasteries and churches. The islands were long home to several of the country's minorities; today they draw residents from all over Türkiye as well as foreign visitors.

Most people visit on a day trip from Istanbul. You can also spend a night or two, to see them in the evening once the day-trip ferries have gone.

The ferry ride

Ferries leave from Kabataş pier, on the European shore. They call at Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada before reaching Büyükada, the largest island, in about 1 h 30. The adult fare was 137.48 Turkish lira in 2026, about €2.50. Ferries also serve the islands from the Asian shore.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is 46 km from Kabataş, about an hour's drive without traffic; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is 42 km away, about 45 minutes. Istanbul Airport is a few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop.

Büyükada

Büyükada, "the big island", is the most visited. Its brightly coloured 19th-century villas and mansions line the streets leading up from the pier. You can tour the island by electric bus, which serves as a taxi, or by bike, along pine-lined paths that pass old monasteries.

On Büyükada's seafront, the Akdağ mansion tells the island's story in a single building. Built around 1885 by the architect Periklis Fotiadis, it passed in 1908 to Mustafa Zeki Pasha, chief of the Ottoman artillery. Listed as a first-degree historic monument in 1989, it was damaged by the 1999 İzmit earthquake and then destroyed by fire. The Akdağ family rebuilt it from 2016, at the heart of an estate that has become a hotel.

Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kınalıada

The other three large islands are quieter. Each has its beaches: sand, rocky coves or wooden and concrete platforms built over the water, with private and public beach clubs. The calmest spots, and the clearest water, are away from the piers, on the sides and backs of the islands; Burgazada and Kınalıada have some of the nicest. A small island, Sedef, is reached by boat from Büyükada for its beach clubs.

Where to stay

Sabaro has selected one hotel on the islands: Princes' Palace Resort, on Büyükada's seafront. The estate combines the Akdağ mansion with 70 rooms and suites, a private sandy beach with a lagoon, an infinity pool, a spa and a private jetty for boat trips. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, an association of independent luxury hotels.

To combine island and city, you can stay first on the historic peninsula or on the Bosphorus, then end your stay on Büyükada, in peace.

What the foreign ministries say

None of the European foreign ministries followed by Sabaro advises against the Princes' Islands, which are part of Istanbul. Several call for heightened vigilance throughout the country, especially in crowded places. The Safety table on this page gives the advice for your country.

When to come

For swimming, June to September: the Sea of Marmara off Istanbul reaches 21 °C in June, 24 °C in July and August and stays at 23 °C in September. Daytime highs are then 27 to 30 °C. In spring and October the islands are better for walking and cycling, with 17 to 22 °C in April and May and 21 °C in October.