The island’s name means saddle bag in Turkish, deriving it from the two hilltops that embrace the lower harbours, though the Greeks called the island Chalki.

1 – Visit Halki Seminary:
Dating from 1844, it was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It’s on the top of a hill covered with pines; and the harmony of the dark green and dark blue adds to the beauty of this old seminary. You can visit the monastry except on Sundays. Reservation: 0216 351 85 63 – 0216 351 84 17.

2 – Have a breakfast at Halki Palas:
It’s the oldest and the most glamorous hotel in Princess Islands dating back to 1850s, renovated after a fire in 1991. The hotel rooms have a wonderful view, it’s a good weekend break for Istanbul residents. If you are on a daily visit to the island breakfast at this hotel is highly recommended. You can also enjoy the swimming pool from June to the end of August.
Check their website here.

3 – Eat at a fish restaurant in the marina:
There are many restaurants close to the marina with good service quality and delicous food, especially fish with the combination of beautiful mezes and raki.

4 – Relax at Değirmenburnu:
It’s a picnic area with a broad view of Anatolian coast of Istanbul and other Princess Islands with a walking distance of 5 mins from the marina. A bottle of beer at the sunset would be a highlight for your Heybeliada visit.

1 – Go to Kalpazankaya:
The best way to get to Kalpazankaya is by foot, because the nature on your way is beautiful, and it takes around 30 minutes. You may also use the coach, but it would be more costly (around 15 USD one way). When you get to Kalpazankaya, under the shadow of the pines, you’ll see a wonderful foreland creeping into the sea with a wonderful view of Heybeliada. You may enjoy a lunch or a drink in the outdoor restaurant, sunset is the most recommended time for this beautiful place. During weekends, early reservation is a must.

2 – Visit Church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos:
Dating back to 830s, this church was re-established in 1896. Today, it is the parochial church of the Greek residents of Burgazada. The church is close to the center.

3 – Eat at Barba Yani:
It’s a Greek restaurant very close to the marina with delicious mezes, raki, fish and a wonderful hospitality. The music gets louder in the late hours, and you may eventually find yourself dancing on the table thanks to the music, ambiance and raki.

4 – Do Trekking and go to Bayrak Hill:
Don’t use the trackway, but use the direction with the bushes and trees to the get to the highest point of Burgazada (160m). It’s not a very difficult or long trekking route; and when you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with a 360 degrees view of the Marmara Sea including all the Princess Islands and the coast of Istanbul.

Büyük means big and it is the biggest of the Prince’s Islands. Trotsky lived on this island for four years in his exile like some of the Byzantian emperors.

1 – Rent a bike and tour the island:
You’ll see many bike renting shops in the center of Büyükada close to the marina. There are two routes for biking: One of them is Büyük Tur, which tours around the coast of the island (12 km), and Küçük Tur which is about half of the other one. With the longer route; you will have the chance to see the non-residential area of the island with a wonderful Marmara view. If you are couple, choose the two-seated bikes. The cost is around 10 TL for a few hours. You can chill out at a coffee after you’re done– Kahve Dünyası which is a coffee chain close to the marina having a good view, relaxing atmosphere and decent Turkish coffee.

2 – Visit Church of Saint George (Aya Yorgi):
Dating back from 1750s, the church is located on the top of a hill overlooking the island and the coast of Istanbul. You can reach very close to the church by a coach or by a bike; but the last 100 m of the route is a very steep one, and you should walk till the top. The church is a small and an old one but what you get is the wonderful view; while enjoying the scenery, you can eat at the outdoor restaurant, and taste the house wine.

3 – Jump on a coach and tour the island:
If you’d like to have a nostalgic tour in the island; you may hire a coach and make the Büyük Tur or the Küçük Tur. It would be more costly than a bike (around 30 YTL for half an hour journey).

4 – Eat Ice Cream at the Market:
Roma Dondurmacısı has the most popular ice cream in the island. Ice cream with figs and mastika are highly recommended.

Istanbul is famous with its breathtaking view of Bosphorus, day or night you must enjoy it with a nice cocktail at a roof.

We tried to list the best 4 roof bars in Istanbul for you as below;

1 – Lebiderya :

(Friday – Saturday 11:30 – 03:00 Other days 11:30 – 02:00)

It is at the top floor of Richmond Hotel on İstiklal avenue. All tables are Bosphorus view and beside the tables there is a large oval bar, where you can taste coctails specially prepared by fresh fruit and our suggestion will be ‘ Derya’ which is made of apple vodka, apple juice, mint, lemon and sugar.

Click here for reservations and directions.

2 – 360 :

(Week days 12.00 – 02:00 on weekends 15.00 – 04:00)

It is also on İstiklal avenue at the top of a popular 19th century apartment (Mısır apartmanı). Its name comes from its exclusive decoration all around is covered by large windows that enables you to enjoy the beautiful İstanbul view from 360 degree angles , at the weekends you can also enjoy live performances of DJs and professional dancers. We suggest 360 especially for bar after dinner .

For directions and reservations, click here.

3 – Vogue :

(Monday – Saturday 12:00 -02:00 / Sunday 10:30 – 01:00)

Vogue is located in Beşiktaş, on its large terrace you can enjoy the marvellous Bosphorus view and by the help of the large mirrors  view is also available indoors. They serve lunch and dinner and brunch on Sundays but also you can have only a Mohito at this lovely roof bar.

The restaurant/bar is located in Spor Cad.  BJK Plaza A Blok Floor: 13.

0 212 227 44 04

4 – Ceylan Inter Continental / City Lights Bar :

(Open everyday between 2:00 pm – 2:00 am)

Unique Bosphorus view very close to Taksim will accompany you to have a relaxed and enjoyable time. Exotic cocktails and tasty snacks will be offered with five star quality service.

Click here for directions.

1 – Burç Beach:

Originally as a private facility of Boğaziçi University for the graduates, Burch Beach does not strictly require this university’s IDs. If you’re not permitted ask for Dalia Beach which is also in Kilyos. The sea is usually rough, and this offers a great fun; you should do “body surfing”on the waves. International kiteboard championships are held here, and if you stay till sunset, you will have the chance to bump into some concerts or festivals like “Electronica Festival” held in July for 2 days.

2 – Altınkum (Golden Sand):

Being a cooling facility for Istanbul residents from 1930s, this beach is now run by a private enterprise. On weekdays it’s open for only women, so, on some weekends it’s likely to be overcrowded, so try to get there as early as possible. There’s a decent cafe in the facility, but you should also consider one of the fish restraurants by the seaside from the beach to Rumeli Kavagi.

(0212) 325 55 83

Marmaracik Koyu, Rumelifeneri

3 – SuADA:

If you want to swim in the middle of Bosphorus on a floating swimming pool, Suada is the matchless option. Suada is a floating club in the middle of Bosphorus with a splendid 360 degrees İstanbul view.  The restaurants and the bars on the facility are of good quality; the music gets louder in the late hours of the noon.

Click here for the info about location. 

4 – Kamos Beach Club – Kınalıada:

Princess Islands offer many beaches to İstanbul residents, and Kamos could be a good alternative, because the facilty has also a swimming pool apart from the beach. It’s on a very quiet bay surrounded by green trees on the back part of the island; the nature is beautiful and relaxing.

Kamos is in Kinaliada – in one of the Prince’s Islands, you can get there by ferries departing from Bostanci or Kabataş.

1 – Mini Dondurma:
A very small ice cream shop serving excellent ice cream in Bebek for more than 40 years. It’s an unavoidable stop in your visit to Bebek.
See their website.

 
2 – Ali Usta:
It’s one of the most famous ice cream maker in Istanbul. They buy the most quality milk from outer towns of Istanbul to make the delicious ice cream. Ice cream with Turkish coffee is a strong recommendation. It’s located on Moda Avenue 264/A Kadikoy.

3 – Yaşar Usta:
It’s an ice cream stand in Bostancı serving home made ice cream with various fruits. The tastes of the fruits are so real and natural, and this makes the ice cream an irresistable one. It’s very close to “minibus avenue” on the left of the street in front of Shell.

4 – Mado:
It’s an ice cream chain in Turkey, serving Maraş Ice Cream which is a traditional type of ice cream with an elastic texture.
See their website.

When we travel, we usually start to think what to bring as a gift for our family and friends on the last day of our journey, but it is always better to get organized before!

1 – Turkish Coffee
It is an original taste, a bit stronger than espresso. It differs from other types of coffee by its cooking style. You cook coffee with sugar in a special pan – so if you buy turkish coffee you will need this pan. Best coffee can be bought from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi shop which is next to Spice Market, you can also get coffee pan in spice market or  from the shops around it as well as in every shopping mall.

2 – Evil eye
Another original gift from Istanbul, we believe that evil eye protects us from the negative energy, mostly we have one in our house and one in our car. Also we believe that it brings luck to every new born baby. You can get it in every gift shop around the city, also there are bracelets, rings and earings made from the evil eye. Best one is from blue glass with a white, yellow and black point in the middle.

3 – Spices and Turkish Delight
If Turkish cuisine is popular through out the world, one of the reason is the fresh ingredients and spices we have. You will find countless types of spices and we strongly suggest you to buy some not only for your friends but also for yourself. Turkish Delight is another delicious taste that you can bring to home with you. Many flavors can be added to Turkish delight such as nuts, wallnuts, pistacchio, rose essence  and all of them are available at Spice Market. One of the best brand for Turkish delight is Hacıbekir, you can find their shop in the old city.

4 – Peştemal
It is a kind of cotton towel mostly used in hamams to wrap your body. Recently it is very popular in all trendy beaches and pools that it gets dry very easily and it does not make any weight in your bag. You can find in Grand Bazaar in many colors and sizes.