Escape to Prince Islands: Daily Tour & Lunch
Experience the enchanting Princes' Islands of Istanbul with a day full of adventure, sun-soaked waters, and breathtaking vistas. Choose from four stunning islands, each offering unique charm, and enjoy the sun and sea. Join us for an unforgettable getaway filled with swimming and relaxation.
Swim and relax getaway!
Embark on an enjoyable island escape starting from the charming Arnavutköy.
Our daily tour sets sail from the picturesque Arnavutköy, heading towards the most captivating cove of the Princes' Islands for an ideal swimming experience. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of these lush landscapes, where you can enjoy thrilling moments of swimming and sunbathing.
Duration: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM or 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Highlights:
- Discover Islands: Choose from four stunning islands, each offering unique charm, and enjoy the sun and sea. Discover the beauty of a perfect cove on the Princes' Islands, perfect for a refreshing swim and surrounded by lush greenery.
- Swimming & Relaxation: Enjoy breathtaking views as we navigate towards one of these four islands, with the day's route determined by our captain based on boat coordination, passenger safety, and weather conditions.
- Lunch Break: During our excursion, we'll anchor near a suitable restaurant for a delightful lunch break. Please note, that additional mooring fees apply if you choose to explore recommended restaurants or attractions on the islands.
Join us for a day of swimming and exploration as we escape to the serene beauty of the Princes' Islands. Experience a delightful day filled with enjoyment and relaxation, where you can unwind and immerse yourself in the natural beauty.
Arnavutköy
Arnavutköy is a neighborhood known for its stunning views of the Istanbul Bosphorus, particularly famous for its historic wooden houses. Our boat tour will commence in this vibrant Arnavutköy atmosphere and return here. As you enjoy the magnificent view of the Bosphorus, you can prepare yourself for the sea, sun, and a delightful swimming break. This unique boat tour offers you an enjoyable escape and unforgettable memories.
Büyükada
Büyükada (\"Big Island\") is the largest of the Princes' Islands at 5.4 square kilometres, with two pine-forested hills — Yücetepe (203 metres) and İsa Tepesi (164 metres) — that take up most of the interior. The 19th-century wooden Aya Yorgi monastery sits on Yücetepe with a chapel and pilgrimage path that climbs from the harbour. The village on the north shore holds the Beaux-Arts ferry terminal, the seafront square, and a clock tower, with the largest concentration of late-Ottoman wooden mansions on the islands. Motor vehicles are banned — transport is by phaeton (horse-cart), bicycle, or electric shuttle. Büyükada is 10 minutes from Heybeliada by sail and 80 minutes by ferry from Kabataş. Season runs April through October.
Heybeliada
Heybeliada is the second-largest of the Princes' Islands, named for its saddle-shaped twin hills (heybe = saddlebag) — both covered in stone pine forest planted in the late 1800s. The northwest hill holds the 19th-century Deniz Lisesi (Turkish Naval High School), still operating from the same red-roofed complex on the headland. The southwest hill holds the Halki Theological School, the historical seminary of the Greek Orthodox Church, closed by the Turkish state since 1971. The village sits on the north shore around the ferry pier, with a horse-and-carriage tradition (phaeton) and a seafront promenade of fish restaurants. Heybeliada is 5 minutes from Burgazada and 10 minutes from Büyükada. Season runs April through October.
Burgazada
Burgazada is the third-smallest of the Princes' Islands and the only one that comes to a sharp single hilltop — the 165-metre Bayraktepe at the centre, covered in stone pine forest planted in the 19th century to combat soil erosion. The Turkish writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık lived on Burgazada and his house, now a museum, sits in the village near the ferry pier. The single seafront promenade runs from the port past a row of Greek-era summer houses to the public beach at Madam'ın Plajı. Visiting yachts anchor in the harbour or moor at the ferry-quay extension. Burgazada is 5 minutes from Heybeliada and 15 minutes from Kınalıada. Season runs April through October.
Kınalıada
Kınalıada is the smallest and closest of the nine Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, a 30-minute ferry ride from Istanbul's European shore. The island takes its name from the reddish copper-rich soil (kınalı = henna-coloured) visible in cliff cuts above the village. Unlike its larger sister islands, Kınalıada has fewer pine forests and a more open, scrubland landscape — Byzantine emperors used the island specifically for exiled princes, the historical origin of the archipelago's name. The single village sits on the southwest shore, with a small ferry port, a tree-lined square, and a row of seafront fish restaurants. Kınalıada is 15 minutes from Burgazada by sail. Season runs April through October.
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