The Princes’ Islands: a princely refuge
You won’t have to go far to find a romantic spot and escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. A short boat trip will take you to the Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, 20 km off the coast of Istanbul, a real oasis of beauty and tranquility where you can relax. The Princes’ Islands, “Adalar” in Turkish, are a group of 9 islets. Once the places where Byzantine princes were exiled, these islands are a popular destination for wealthy Turks and tourists seeking peace and quiet. Only 4 of the islands are inhabited. You can take a pleasant walk, taste delicious dishes and admire the sunset. Motor vehicles are prohibited, except for emergency services.
Full-Day Princes Island Tour with Lunch
Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes islands, on this 9-hour excursion from Istanbul. Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view.
You can explore the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – by bike (not included) or spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on one of its beaches, before returning to Istanbul.
Travel from your hotel by air-conditioned coach to the port with your guide, and board the boat that will take you to the Princes islands. The largest and most interesting of the islands is Büyükada, which is your destination for the day.
From the boat you can look back on the sights of Istanbul, seeing iconic landmarks such as Topkapi Palace and the pretty Kiz Kulesi (also known as the Maiden’s Tower), which was featured in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough.
Dock in Büyükada and then take a stroll through the streets with your guide, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere of island life. Your guide will tell you about the island’s history during the ride, and about its time as a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty, and of its life as a monastic settlement during Turkey’s Byzantine-Christian period.
Pass lovely wooden mansions that are stunning examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture, and look out over the sparkling sea. Seagulls are everywhere in Büyükada, and if you’d like to feed them your guide will give you simits (bread with sesame seeds) so you can toss them a treat.
Have lunch on the boat, then spend the rest of your day at leisure on the island. Later, meet your guide at a pre-arranged time for your boat ride back to Istanbul. The last leg of your journey will be by coach, and you’ll be dropped off at your Istanbul hotel.
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About this experience
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
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Duration 8.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Transfer service just from European side and from city center hotels. Hotels must be located in the following areas: Sultanahmet, Laleli, Topkapı, Aksaray, Taksim, Sirkeci and Şişli.
If you like this experience, discover the other itineraries designed for you
Includes
– Hotel pick-up and drop off only from the European side and city center
– Transportation by air-conditioned non-smoking tour coach
– Professional tour guide
– Entrance fees
– Lunch
Important information
What to bring
– Passport or ID card
Know before you go
– Transfer service is offered to the European Side below Area; Taksim-Şişli-S.Ahmet-Aksaray-Beyazıt- Sirkeci-Beyoğlu
– On this island tour, most of the time is spent on the boat
– This is a sea and island sightseeing tour
– Please make a reservation with this information in mind