Is Princes' Islands worth it?
Worth it if…Lives up to the hype · +26Car-free island day trip of wooden mansions, pine hills and sea views, reached by public ferry
Worth it, with conditions. 4.5 on Google and widely loved for the calm, but reviewers note touristy pier areas, paid beaches and tiring hills.
Hype30How famous and hyped it is
Reality56Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.5 ★ Google · 5,516 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
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The ideal slow day once you've done the old-city sights; reviewers love the calm.
Why Reality is 56
Lives up to its fame3/54.5 on Google and widely loved for the calm, but reviewers note touristy pier areas, paid beaches and tiring hills.
Value for money4/5A cheap public ferry and free island; costs only rise if you use beach clubs or taxis.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5Nothing else in Istanbul offers a car-free island village with Ottoman-era mansions.
Easy to do2/5Long ferry rides, crowded weekend boats, steep hills and reduced winter sailings.
What people loved
Car-free calm, pine air and sea views: a real break from the cityBeautiful old wooden mansions and quiet streets to wander or cycleThe ferry ride itself is cheap and scenicAya Yorgi, a sixth-century church and monastery on the 203 m summit, has a small café at the topWhat wore them down
Long ferry ride (1.5–1h45 each way from the European side) eats most of a dayVery hilly; casual cyclists struggle and the Aya Yorgi climb is steepMost beaches charge entry; swimming for free is limited to the port beachTouristy around the pier, with packed ferries on summer weekendsKnow before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No booking for public ferries; tap Istanbulkart. Arrive 20–30 min early on weekends.
Getting thereFerry from Eminönü about 1 h 30 min, Kabataş/Beşiktaş about 1 h 45 min, Kadıköy 1 h 15 min, Bostancı 30–40 min (Şehir Hatları, Turyol, Dentur)Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
CostIsland is free; Şehir Hatları ferries take Istanbulkart at the Princes' Islands fare (no transfer discount on this line)Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
On the islandNo private cars; walk, rent a bike, or use battery-powered IETT electric vehicles (Istanbulkart) and AdaTaksi. Horse carriages ended in 2020Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
BeachesMost beaches are paid private clubs (one reviewer was charged 400 ₺ per person to swim); a free beach sits near the portSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Aya YorgiSteep walk (no cycling) from Birlik Square up to the Aya Yorgi church on the 203 m summit, the island's high pointSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time neededFull day (sample itinerary 09:00–18:00 including ferries)Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
CrowdsWeekend ferries peak 09:00–11:00 outbound and 17:00–19:00 back; services cut in winter and can be cancelled in strong lodos windsSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
In their words
“There are no cars, which makes it even more enjoyable to walk or rent a bike.”
“Unfortunately, most beaches require payment because they’re private and part of restaurants, beach clubs, or resorts.”
“Very hilly, so get ready to do some serious walking! The folks that rented bikes didn’t look very happy.”
“It gets a bit touristy but honestly it's popular for a reason.”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
How long is the ferry to Büyükada?
About 1 h 30 min from Eminönü, 1 h 45 min from Kabataş, 1 h 15 min from Kadıköy and 30–40 min from Bostancı.
Can you use Istanbulkart on the Princes' Islands ferry?
Yes. Şehir Hatları accepts Istanbulkart at the islands fare; private Turyol and Dentur boats take cash, card or Istanbulkart.
Are there horse carriages on Büyükada?
No. They were phased out in 2020; electric vehicles, bikes and walking replaced them.
Can you swim on Büyükada for free?
Mostly no—beaches are private clubs charging entry; the beach near the port is free.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Büyükada day-trip guide (feribotseferleri.com.tr)
- Princes' Islands (Wikipedia)
- Google Maps listing: Büyükada