Istanbul Full Day Princes Island Tour

Tour Overview

Swap the city's traffic for pine-scented lanes and Marmara Sea breezes. A morning ferry carries you to Buyukada and Heybeliada, where car-free roads, Victorian mansions, and coastal walking trails make the Princes Islands feel like a holiday rather than a day trip from Istanbul.

Tour Itinerary

Princes Islands Full Day Tour

Central pickup, ferry to Heybeliada and Buyukada, lunch, island free time, and return to Istanbul in the afternoon.

08:30 - Pick up from your central Istanbul hotel.
The day starts with pickup from selected central districts in Istanbul before you head toward the ferry departure point. This helps the island trip feel easy from the beginning because ferry timing can be awkward without organized transport. After pickup, the route moves toward the Marmara coast.
Pickup time and airport may change.
Morning - Board the ferry and sail across the Marmara Sea.
The crossing is not just transportation; it is part of why people book this tour. Leaving the city skyline behind and watching the water open up changes the mood of the day almost immediately. It is the right transition before the island visits begin.

Princes Islands Tour RouteExpand briefing

Marmara Sea -> Heybeliada -> Buyukada -> Ottoman Mansions -> Pine Forests -> Coastal Walking Paths

Briefing

Marmara Sea Crossing: As the ferry pulls away from the pier, Istanbul's minarets and high-rises gradually flatten into a thin band on the horizon. The open-water interval resets your senses: wind off the Marmara, seabirds trailing the wake, and the growing silhouette of the islands ahead make this crossing the emotional gateway to the day.
Heybeliada: Heybeliada greets you with pine-covered slopes and a drowsy harbour that feels worlds apart from central Istanbul. Its low-key character and hilltop Greek Orthodox seminary give the island a studious, unhurried mood that eases you into the archipelago before the livelier energy of Buyukada.
Buyukada: Buyukada is the largest and most storied island in the chain, where ornate Victorian-era mansions sit behind wild gardens and horse-drawn carriage lanes have only recently given way to electric vehicles. The waterfront promenade, hilltop monastery trail, and seaside fish restaurants give you multiple ways to spend your free time.
Ottoman Mansions and Pine Roads: The heritage mansions of Buyukada date from a time when wealthy Ottoman and Levantine families built summer estates to escape the city heat. Pine-shaded roads connect these elegant wooden houses, giving every walk a sense of quiet nostalgia that feels far removed from the mainland's pace.
Coastal Walking Paths: The shoreline paths let you wrap up the island section at your own speed, with the Sea of Marmara stretching south toward the horizon. This part of the day belongs to slow movement, open air, and that specific island calm that makes visitors reluctant to board the return ferry.

17:00 - Return by ferry and transfer back to your hotel.
After your island time ends, you board the return ferry to Istanbul and then continue by vehicle to your centrally located hotel. The final transfer keeps the day practical even after a sea crossing and walking time. Tour services end with hotel drop-off.

Tour Services

What's Included

Clear scope of services for the Istanbul Full Day Princes Island Tour

Includes

Services covered in your tour package

Pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Istanbul hotels
Licensed English or Arabic-speaking tour guide
Round-trip ferry tickets for the Princes Islands route
Lunch during the excursion
Air-conditioned transportation during land transfers
All local taxes, service fees, and handling charges

Excludes

Services not covered by the package price

Personal expenses
Drinks at lunch
Dinner
Optional electric vehicle on the island
Any extra transportation fee if your hotel is outside central pickup zones

Before Booking

Remarks

Please read the following important information carefully before booking.

Pick-up and drop-off are included only from centrally located hotels in Istanbul.
Vegetarian meal options are available. Please let us know your dietary preferences in advance.
The optional electric vehicle ride on Buyukada is not included in the tour price.
Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a light layer for the ferry crossing.
This route is ideal for travelers who want a calmer scenic day rather than a dense historical walking program.
Pick-up times may vary depending on your hotel location and seasonal conditions.
Available Languages
English
Prices may vary depending on the selected language.
Tour Types
Group
Prices may vary depending on the selected tour type.

Tour Overview

Why This Island Escape Resets Your Istanbul Trip

The Marmara Sea ferry ride is an experience in itself, watching Istanbul's skyline shrink while salt air and open water take over.
Buyukada's car-free streets lined with Ottoman mansions offer a pace and atmosphere impossible to find on the mainland.
Two islands in one day doubles the scenery, from Heybeliada's quiet seminary hilltop to Buyukada's bustling waterfront.
Lunch is included so you never interrupt the island mood with restaurant logistics on an unfamiliar shore.
Hotel pickup, ferry tickets, and guided commentary are all arranged, leaving you free to simply enjoy the islands.

If you prefer staying closer to the city skyline, compare the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise.
For a full urban history day, see the Istanbul Full Day Historical City Tour.

Guest Feedback

Customer Reviews

Real experiences from guests who booked this itinerary.

Average Rating

4.7

11 verified reviews

Nils K.

Verified booking

Big thanks to Tuna for making this special. everything ran smoothly from start to finish. the food in Istanbul alone is worth the trip tbh. Sultanahmet area has so much history in one place.

Tom R.

Verified booking

The ferry ride alone was worth it tbh. Sailing across the Sea of Marmara with Istanbul's skyline behind you and the islands ahead was beautiful. Buyukada itself is like a time capsule, old Victorian mansions, no motor vehicles, horse carriages on the streets. We took an electric car tour around the island and saw the monastery on the hill, the beaches, and the old neighborhoods. Lunch was fresh fish at a waterfront restaurant. Such a different feel from the rest of Istanbul.

Chiara F.

Verified booking

Le isole dei Principi sono state la sorpresa piu bella del nostro viaggio a Istanbul. Buyukada e un paradiso senza automobili, con palazzi ottomani in legno, strade silenziose e il profumo del mare ovunque. Abbiamo preso il giro in macchina elettrica per vedere tutta l'isola e poi pranzato con pesce fresco al porto. Il viaggio in traghetto sul Mar di Marmara era gia di per se un'esperienza bellissima. La guida Ali ci ha raccontato la storia affascinante delle isole. Consiglio assolutamente questa escursione.

Ji-Hye K.

Verified booking

After 3 days in busy Istanbul, the Princes Islands felt like a completely different world. No cars, just horse carriages and bicycles. We took the ferry there which was already scenic, beautiful views of the Marmara Sea. Buyukada island was gorgeous with the old Ottoman mansions and pine tree lined paths. Had a seafood lunch by the water that was really fresh. The whole day felt like a mini vacation from the vacation. Guide Leyla was sweet and helped us navigate everything. Totally worth the trip.

MAYA P.

Verified booking

Needed this after 4 days of nonstop Istanbul sightseeing. The Princes Islands are so calm compared to the city. No cars, no honking, just sea breeze and old mansions. Buyukada was the main stop and we spent most of the day there. The old wooden houses are gorgeous and some of them are being restored which is nice to see. We did the electric car tour and stopped at a hilltop viewpoint with panoramic sea views. Lunch was grilled fish, super fresh. The guide Erkan was informative about the islands' history as summer retreats for Ottoman aristocracy.

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