Princes' Islands Tour from Istanbul

A day on the Princes' Islands

An hour across the Sea of Marmara from the city, the nine Princes' Islands feel like another world. There are no cars, only bicycles, electric carts and the sound of the sea; the streets are lined with 19th-century wooden mansions, gardens and churches, and pine woods run down to small beaches. In Byzantine times the islands were a place of exile for princes and empresses. Today they are where Istanbul goes to slow down.

On this full-day tour our boat takes you to three of the islands, Kınalıada, Heybeliada and Büyükada, with a guide who tells their history along the way. An open buffet lunch is served on board, and the longest stop is on Büyükada, the largest island, where you are free to explore. Want to visit with only your group? Ask us about a private yacht to the islands.

Princes' Islands tour highlights

• Three islands in one dayKınalıada, Heybeliada and Büyükada.
• Buffet lunch on boardGrilled chicken, Turkish mezes and salads as you sail.
• Free time on BüyükadaMansions, the Aya Yorgi monastery hill and the seafront.
• No carsQuiet streets, bicycles and pine forests.
• Guide on boardThe Byzantine and Ottoman history of the islands.
• Hotel pickupIncluded from central hotels.

Which islands will you visit?

1. Kınalıada
   The smallest of the three, named after the reddish colour of its earth. It has a long Armenian heritage, summer houses and the Hristos Monastery on its hill.
2. Heybeliada
   The middle island, once known as Chalki for its copper mines. Look out for the historic Naval Academy and the Greek Orthodox seminary on the hill.
3. Büyükada
   The largest and most popular island, with grand wooden mansions, the hilltop monastery of Aya Yorgi, churches and the Hamidiye Mosque. This is the longest stop of the day.

What is included in the princes' islands tour

Good to know before you go

• Wear comfortable shoes: the best way to see Büyükada is on foot or by bicycle.
• Children up to 4 years join for free; children from 5 to 8 years get 30% off.
• The tour runs all year; in summer bring sunscreen and swimwear if you want to use your free time at a beach.
• The cruise runs on a fixed schedule, so please arrive on time; the boat cannot wait for late guests.

What our guests say about our cruises

Booking, payment and cancellation

1. BookingReserve here, on WhatsApp or by email. No prepayment.
2. ConfirmationWe confirm your seats and meeting time, usually within the hour.
3. On the dayPay in cash in euro, US dollar or Turkish lira.
4. 24+ hours beforeCancel or change your date free of charge.
5. Under 24 hoursLate cancellations and no-shows cannot be refunded.

If a cruise is cancelled because of bad weather or an official warning, you choose a new date or cancel at no cost. These terms are for shared cruises; private yachts have their own private tour terms.

Princes' Islands tour FAQ