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.

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.

In movie theaters, most of the films are screened in original language with Turkish subtitles. Some popular films may need early reservation especially for their first screening days.

There are three major film festivals in Istanbul – the most traditional one is “Istanbul International Film Festival” (first two weeks of April); the other two are “If Istanbul” (in mid February) and “Filmekimi” (in mid October). Most of the Beyoglu theaters host the films during the festivals; and it’s highly recommended to watch the exceptional movies there.

1 – Istinye AFM Park Imax:
One of the newest movie theater complex in Istanbul in Istinye Park Mall with Imax technology. Click here for info about Istinye Park Mall.

2 – Kanyon Levent Cinebonus:
Another modern movie theater complex in Kanyon Mall. Click here for info about Kanyon Mall.

3 – Beyoğlu Emek:
The nostalgic temple of film festivals also offering seats in the balcony. It’s on Yeşilçam Street which is on the right of Istiklal Street before Galatasaray when you walk from Taksim.

4 – Rexx Kadıköy:
It’s one of the most crowded meeting spots in Kadıköy for Anatolian side residents, very close to the “street of bars”. The newly renovated theater no.1 can be recommended. Adress: Sakizgulu Street No.22.

Although there are some alternatives to go for swimming in Istanbul, if you have a few days to spend for sun and sea, some beautiful places are available out of Istanbul. These places can be reached by motorway, and since you’ll need mobility where you visit, you are recommended to rent a car.

1 – Bozcaada:
Bozcaada is a tiny island on North Aegean Sea, with wonderful food, wine, beaches and a bohemian atmosphere. There’s something that makes you feel peaceful and happy on this island as soon as you get off the ferry. There are many pensions and guest houses to stay in the center which are owned by local, friendly people. The sea is crystal clear and it’s usually cool even at the hottest time of the year.

2 – Gokceada:
Gokceada is the greatest island (more than 40 km from one to the other end) in Turkey, being on the furthest west of the country. The island is not very touristic and this makes it a bit more unique and peaceful. The sea is clean and beautiful, and it’s also a suitable place for windsurfers. If you want to see natural beaches, old villages and eat good food as fish or the famous puding with mastic, Gokceada is the place.

3 – Assos:
It’s a tiny town on the shore in the North Aegean Sea where Aristotle lived before. Though the town is historic and offers old stone houses, temples, castle; it also has beautiful beaches in the surrounding areas. The restaurants in the center serve delightful fish with a wonderful seaview.

4 – Kıyıkoy:
A small village on the shore of Black Sea with a beautiful beach. It’s a wonderful spot where nature is still untouched and having the features of Black Sea and Meditarenean climate together. You can enjoy the sea, food, nature all at once.

1 – Belgrade Forest
In the North of the city, it’s a popular place for the citizens who like to go jogging or walking in the forest. It might be crowded in good weather, especially on Sundays. Water channels for the city come from this forest since the Byzantine period. Click here for transportation alternatives to the Forest.

2 – Yıldız Park
Down the slopes from Yıldız Palace, this park has chalets serving as restaurants or tea houses. It’s a good place to walk around and have a breakfast with a Bosphorus view from above. Walk up the Barboros Street from Beşiktaş and you’ll get there.

3 – Caddebostan Park
A beautiful park close to Bagdat Street on the coast of Marmara where people walk, ride their bikes, make jogging, play basketball or sit on the grass watching Prince’s Islands. It’s highly recommended for a relaxing activity in good weather. It takes 20 minutes from Kadiköy to reach the park by bus or minibuses. Your starting point should be behind Migros Supermarket in Caddebostan.

4 – Polonezköy
A beautiful town of Anatolian side in the North, where Polish community lives since mid 19th century. People come here for the wonderful green nature; to have barbeque in open air. It was designated as Istanbul’s first national park, having beautiful pathways among the forest with streams and wooden bridges. The best time to come here is from May to October; it is usually crowded at weekends. Public transport would take too much time, private vehicles are recommended.

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1 – Babylon

Famous American jazz magazine Downbeat has listed Babylon among world’s best 100 jazz clubs in 2002 and 2004. It is also one of the venues for major jazz festivals in Istanbul. It’s located in Tunel – Asmalimescit Street – the end of Istiklal Caddesi before Galata. The program of Babylon is not always “jazz” it features from Balkan music to Cuban rapsters; but it is obviously the best indoor live music venue in Istanbul expressing the energetic side of the city.

2 – Ghetto

It’s a night club in a renovated historic building with beutiful, high ceilings and a cozy atmosphere. Live performances are available from Thursday to Saturday nights varying between Latin, jazz, funk, house music.

3 – Balans Music and Performance Hall

Just in front of Nevizade Street, with a good ambiance and music acoustic, Balans is one of the best places for live music in Istanbul. Live performers are mostly Turkish well-known groups, musicians and singers playing from rock to pop.

4 – Mojo

Mojo is a popular bar in Beyoğlu featuring local cover groups playing rock music. It can be too crowded in weekends full of university students, so Wednesdays are reccommended not for comfort but also for the famous local cover group Circus.

  

2 – Burgaz Island Harbour – Kalpazankaya (Princess Islands – 2,5 km)

Watch İstanbul out of Istanbul from a beautiful island. You’ll walk through the old houses of Burgaz, on a silent pathway where no cars are allowed and reach the small hill of Kalpazankaya, to have a beer looking over the enormous city.

3 – Üsküdar – Salacak (Asian Side – 1,5 km)

Great view of European side of Bosphorus including Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palace. On summer nights till late hours, you will see the people chatting by the sea in front of Maiden Tower.