Princes' Islands Guide: A Day on Büyükada, Istanbul's Car-Free Island
The first thing you notice when you step off the ferry at Büyükada is what you can't hear. No horns, no engines, no traffic — just bicycles, footsteps and the quiet hum of the odd electric vehicle. After a few days in central Istanbul, it's a slightly startling change. Büyükada is the largest of the nine Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, and it's the one most visitors mean when they say they're "going to the islands". Here's how to get there, how to get around now that the old horse carriages are gone, and how to spend the day.
Getting There
Ferries to the Princes' Islands leave from Kabataş on the European side and Bostancı on the Asian side. Check the current timetable before you go rather than trusting an old screenshot. The crossing itself is part of the day: get a tea, find a spot at the rail, and don't be surprised when gulls follow the boat hoping someone has brought bread. If the time on deck turns out to be your favourite part, our Bosphorus cruise day tour makes a whole day of it, sailing between Europe and Asia past Dolmabahçe Palace.
Getting Around: Feet, Bikes and Electric Vehicles — Not Horse Carriages
Private motor vehicles are banned on the islands, which is the whole point. On Büyükada you get around on foot, by bicycle, or in eco-friendly electric vehicles.
If you've read an older guide promising a ride in a horse-drawn fayton (phaeton), that's out of date: the horse carriages have been phased out and aren't running any more. Electric vehicles now do the job they used to, and they're the easiest way to see the far side of the island without walking the whole thing.
You can also rent a bicycle on the island, which is great along the seafront. Just know that the hills are real — the pine-covered interior is a climb, not a cruise.
What to Actually See
- The seafront promenade and its mansions. Büyükada's Belle Époque-era wooden mansions line the waterfront. This is the walk to do even if you do nothing else.
- The pine forests. The island's hills are covered in pine, with walking and cycling trails running through them — it's where the island gets properly quiet.
- The Splendid Palace Hotel, one of the island's best-known historic buildings, which our electric vehicle tour passes.
- The clock tower at the heart of the island — a handy meeting point if your group splits up for free time.
- A waterfront lunch. Fresh seafood or local specialities by the water is the classic way to break up the day.
The islands' name is a nod to their history: they were once home to exiled princes and Byzantine emperors, which is a more dramatic backstory than the sleepy, flower-lined streets would suggest. If it's that Byzantine side of the city's story that draws you, our Byzantine and Ottoman heritage tour of Istanbul spends four nights on its basilicas and palaces.
How Long to Spend
A half day covers the ferry, a walk along the seafront and lunch. A full day adds a loop of the island by electric vehicle, time in the pine forest and an unhurried afternoon — and honestly, Büyükada is better at the slower pace. Summer is peak season, when the sea breeze makes the heat far easier than in the city, so expect company. It's also a good day for families: with no cars around, kids get a freedom to wander that central Istanbul doesn't offer.
Agency Insider Tip: Walk away from the pier. The streets right by the ferry landing are where everyone clusters; head along the promenade or uphill for a few minutes and the island gets noticeably quieter.
Doing It With a Tour
Büyükada is easy enough to do independently, but a tour takes care of the ferry, the island transport and lunch in one go. Our Princes' Islands day tour from Istanbul includes hotel pickup, the ferry cruise, an electric vehicle tour of Büyükada and a seafood lunch, from $69 per person.
If you're planning a week in the city, the island is Day 4 of our 7-day Istanbul tour package: the ferry to Büyükada, an electric-car tour through the pine forests and past the Belle Époque mansions, a seaside lunch and free time for shopping before heading back. Our 7-day Istanbul itinerary explains why it sits right after two busy city days, and our Bursa day trip guide covers the other out-of-town day in that week.
