Islands of The Princes

One of Istanbul’s tourist attractions and popular summer destinations is The Princes
Islands. The islands contain four large islands called Adalar (Islands) in Turkish and
their names are; Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada, and five much
smaller islands located southeast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara.
During the Byzantine Dynasty, many princes were exiled to the islands, Ottoman
sultans and family members were also exiled there, giving the islands their current
name. The princes were carried there by the Ottoman fleet during the siege of
Constantinople in 1453. During the nineteenth century, the islands became a popular
resort for Istanbul's wealthy, and Victorian-era cottages and houses are still preserved
on the largest Princes' Islands. The islands have become more and more ethnically
Turkish in character due to the influx of wealthy Turkish jetsetters, they also became a
popular resort for Istanbul's rich people, building their wooden houses. Jewish, Greek
and Armenian communities were a large part of the inhabitants of the islands.
When you first enter the island the sound of peace and quiet overtakes the atmosphere.
Motorized vehicles – except service vehicles – are forbidden, so visitors explore the
island by foot; by riding a bicycle or in horse-drawn phaeton carriages which function like
taxi cabs, also offering "round-the-island" sightseeing tours. You can also wander and
walk around the narrow streets surrounded by either untouched pine-forests or fine,
wooden Victorian cottages.
You can also spend a day in the Degirmenburnu picnic area, which is connected to
the Ministry of Forest, 500 meters from the pier. There is also a buffet and a beach in
this area, which has tables and trellises in the forest. If you want from the buffet or
you can rent a barbecue set and sit on the beach and enjoy the sea view.
Boats and ferries are the only transportations to the islands, departing from Kabataş
— easily accessible with public-transport. The sea buses are the fastest ride, It
usually takes 55 minutes to get there. As for the regular ferries they are slower and
can take as much as 100 minutes, but they are your best, cheapest and safest
option.
The islands are the perfect summer destinations if you find yourself in Istanbul, but
crave the relaxation and spending the day sightseeing away from the city, and further
.enjoying the view, the endless natural beauties and the peaceful sound of silence