Things to Do in Büyükada: Mansions, Aya Yorgi, Bays and a Day-Trip Plan
Büyükada is the largest of the Princes' Islands and one of Istanbul's favourite day trips. As the ferry docks, the city's noise falls away: there are no private cars, just bikes and electric vehicles, wooden mansions in leafy gardens and pine woods. In one day you can circle the island, climb to the Aya Yorgi monastery and eat by the sea.
The pier and the town
You arrive at a late 19th-century pier building and a square with a clock tower, surrounded by fish restaurants, ice-cream shops and cafés. Bike rental shops are close by. A few minutes' walk takes you from the shopping streets to the avenues lined with mansions.
Mansions and island streets
Büyükada's real treasure is its wooden mansions. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wealthy Istanbul families, diplomats and artists built summer homes here. Walk along Çankaya and Nizam avenues and you will pass many of them, some lovingly restored, others fading gracefully under creepers.
One famous resident was Leon Trotsky, who lived on Büyükada from 1929 to 1933 after being exiled from the Soviet Union; the ruins of the house he stayed in still stand. The grand Splendid Palace Hotel is another landmark of the island's architecture.
The climb to Aya Yorgi
On Yücetepe, Büyükada's highest point at about 202 metres, stands the Monastery of St George (Aya Yorgi). From Luna Park Square, a steep path of about one kilometre leads to the top, past trees tied with coloured threads left by people making wishes. Tradition says you should climb in silence without looking back. From the top, the Sea of Marmara, the other islands and the Istanbul shore spread out below. The busiest days are 23 April and 24 September.
Around the island, Dil Burnu and the bays
The road around the island winds through pine woods with views down to the sea. Cycle it or use the electric vehicles; walking is lovely but takes time. On the west side, Dil Burnu is a pine-covered headland popular for picnics and swimming. In summer you can swim at bays such as Yörükali.
A day trip to Büyükada
- Take an early ferry and watch Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada go by.
- Have breakfast or coffee by the pier.
- Walk along Çankaya Avenue past the mansions to Luna Park Square.
- Climb to Aya Yorgi and rest with the view.
- In the afternoon, cycle around the island or relax at Dil Burnu.
- Eat fish by the pier before catching the ferry back.
If you have time on the way back, stop at Heybeliada: the hill with the Halki Seminary and its quiet streets are less crowded than Büyükada.
Practical tips
- Getting there: public ferries and sea buses leave from Kabataş, Eminönü and Bostancı. The trip takes from about half an hour to an hour and a half, depending on where you start and the type of boat. Check timetables before you go.
- On the island: there are no private cars. Horse-drawn phaetons were replaced by municipal electric vehicles in 2020. Renting a bike is easy.
- Crowds: summer weekends are very busy on the ferries and the square. Weekdays, spring and autumn are much nicer.
- Bring: comfortable shoes, water and, in summer, sunscreen. The Aya Yorgi path is steep.
FAQ
How do I get to Büyükada?
By public ferry or sea bus from Kabataş, Eminönü or Bostancı. Bostancı is the quickest crossing.
What is there to do in Büyükada?
Walk the streets of wooden mansions, climb to Aya Yorgi, cycle around the island, picnic at Dil Burnu and eat fish by the pier.
Are there horse carriages on Büyükada?
No. Phaetons were removed in 2020 and replaced by municipal electric vehicles. Walking and cycling are the most common ways to get around.
Can you see Büyükada in a day?
Yes. Take an early ferry and return in the evening, and the pier, the mansions, Aya Yorgi and a ride around the island all fit in.