This pleasant archipelago south of Istanbul, where Ottoman princes spent exile in the past, is a popular place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are many natural and historical attractions on the islands, and even just taking the ferry across the sea is a great experience.

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The Prince's Islands are made up of nine islands. If you decide to visit just one of them, it can be a great day trip from Istanbul. Should you be tempted to explore more islands, stay right on the islands and immerse yourself in the local leisurely pace of life.

A prison for princes who want the throne

Since the days of the Byzantine Empire, the Prince's Islands have been used as a natural prison for princes and empresses in disgrace. This tradition carried over into the Ottoman Empire, when princes who might aspire to the life of the heir to the throne were placed here. You can explore this infamous history of the Princes' Islands by exploring the many historical sites in the archipelago.

In the past, most of the inhabitants of the Princes Islands were Greek, but today the population of the archipelago is Turkish. The population of the Princes' Islands varies considerably by season, with many of Istanbul's wealthy residents having holiday homes here.

Four large and five small islands

The Princes' Islands consist of nine islands. Any one of them would certainly be worth a visit, but four of the islands are more well-known and popular destinations for most tourists.

Büyükada (Big Island) - On the largest of the Princes' Islands, you'll find Adalar Müzesi (the Museum of the Princes' Islands), the Greek Orthodox Church of Hagia Yorgi, a Greek orphanage, and a hilltop lookout and church. For transportation around the island, it is ideal to use one of the many colourful bicycles that the locals in the harbour offer for hire.

Heybeliada (Saddlebag Island) - The island with the funny nickname is a popular island especially for summer visits. Beautiful beaches, dense pine forests and crystal clear water await you here. Of interest among the sights are the local National Maritime School and several Orthodox churches.

Burgazada (Fortress Island) - Burgazada is said to be the most romantic and also the most peaceful of the Princes' Islands. Here you can see beautiful Greek and Jewish houses. There are local monasteries and churches to explore, and there is also a mosque. But the best thing the island has to offer is peace and nature.

Kınalıada (Henna Island) - This little island will catch your eye on arrival, when you will notice the main peak of the island with its monastery. But visitors are most attracted to the famous Ayazma beach. You can hike up through the hills on foot or take a small boat ride here.

If you would like to visit the other Princes' Islands, you will need to arrange private transport to most of them, as the ferry does not run regularly. In high season, you can still take a ferry to Sedefadasi (Pearl Island).

Entrance to the Principe Islands

There is no entrance fee to the Princes Islands, just a ferry ticket and you're good to go. The Prince's Islands are a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer. During the winter months, it can be a little more difficult to get here and most of the services on the islands don't work. On the other hand, you'll be virtually on your own here.

Accommodation in the Principe Islands

The Princes Islands are a popular day trip from Istanbul, but for a thorough exploration of several islands, it's ideal to stay on-site. You'll find a larger range of accommodation on Büyükada, while the other islands have only a few hotels and tend to be frequently booked. It is almost impossible to find hostel accommodation on the islands. You can choose from the following accommodation categories:

• budget hostels (up to 1 21 eur per night/2 people)
• more expensive hotels with breakfast and sea views (up to 205 eur per night/2 people)

Transport to the Principe Islands

Getting to the Principe Islands from Istanbul is very easy. There are regular services to all the larger islands from Kabataş port in the European part of Istanbul. You can choose from your options:

• Sehir Hatlari Ferries - At least eight ferries a day in high season (mid-June to mid-September) run between Kabataş Port and the Princes' Islands. There are frequent schedule changes, best to check the company's website for current times . In addition to Kabataş port, you can also board the ship at Eminonu and Kadikoy ports.
• Direct ferry Dentur Avrasya - Direct ferries offer a slightly faster service to the Princes Islands without stops. They depart from Kabataş port and run a minimum of six boats a day. More information about the schedule can be found on the company's website.

There are no cars on the islands (except for ambulances and technical cars), so it's ideal to use your own feet or a rented bicycle for transportation around the island. Horse-drawn carriages operate instead of taxis.

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