Museum Of The Princes' Islands

Princes Islands

Princes Islands are marvelous places to visit with their quiet and peaceful holiday-like atmosphere along with clean and fresh air. When you walk through the islands' streets you can feel like you are in a holiday town. Even it is quite near to central Istanbul, you can feel tranquility here. If you want to experience Istanbul completely, you should visit the Princes Islands to explore the spirit of Istanbul. Therefore, a guide for the Princes Islands is prepared to make your visit easy and joyous! You can explore all the details for your visit such as the historical places of the islands, how to go to Princes Island Istanbul, what to do in Princes Islands Istanbul, what to eat, where to stay, where to visit or which Princes Island to visit, Princes Islands tours and day trips. Here is your Princes Islands guide;
 

Explore The Princes Islands

Princes Islands consist of nine different islands which are very close to each other. However, especially the forth of them are inhabited and preferred to be visited mostly. These four islands are also the biggest ones. Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kinaliada are among these islands. Buyukada and Heybeliada are the most crowded islands while Burgazada and Kinaliada have fewer visitors and inhabitants. Besides these, the other Princes Island names are Sedefliada, Tavsan adası, Sivriada, and Yassiada. There is no settlement on the other five islands except Sedefliada. 

These islands are the combination of green lands and blue shores with its natural beauties. The Princes Islands with its beautiful environment evokes the feeling of going away from the rush and crowd of the city. Mostly, people living in Istanbul consider Princes Island as a holiday place on their free days. There are holiday houses and old wooden and stone mansions. The historical places of Princes Islands are also various. Old buildings reflect the history of the Ottoman period, old churches, monasteries, and mosques. You can see the old wooden or stone buildings while you walk through the streets. Princes Island history is very rooted. On Heybeliada you can visit Halki Seminary or Aya Yorgi Church to explore the historical structure of Princes Islands or you can have a picnic at Değirmenburnu resort with a marvelous sea and the city scenery. In Buyukada you can visit Aya Yorgi Hill and watch the sunset, visit the Princes Islands museum to gain more information about the islands or you can visit Aya Yorgi Monastery. 
 

What to Do in The Princes Islands

The Princes Islands are places that you can relax, spend good time with many activities. One of the most preferred island activity is exploring all the island with a bike. You can hire a bike easily from the shore and you can visit all the historical places, the lovely streets of the islands, green areas with the bike. There is also another choice to see the island with the phaeton but it is not preferred mostly. There are no cars on the islands, therefore, the best two ways are walking and biking. Princes Island swimming is also possible. There are also many private Princes Islands beaches and you can experience swimming in the Sea of Marmara. When the night comes you can taste the delicious seafood of Turkey in the restaurants by the sea and you can enjoy the moment with the peaceful scenery of the islands. Princes Island things to do are various!

Mostly, it is not possible to visit all of the islands on the same day as Princes Islands day trip however if you leave from Istanbul early in the morning, you can visit two of them. If you wonder how to go to Prince Island Istanbul, there are ferries to Princes Islands from Bostanci, Kabatas, Besiktas, and Eminonu. It is also possible to go to Princes Islands Bosphorus tour. When you visit the islands early in the morning you can drink your tea on the ferry, then you can have your breakfast on the islands with delicious traditional Turkish breakfast or you can prefer a quicker Turkish breakfast with tea and patties. After you explore both the natural and historical beauties of the islands you can rest in Princes island cafe by the sea and enjoy your Turkish coffee by examing the lives of the island people. 

If you think about which Princes Islands to visit, you can choose Buyukada if you have limited time. You can also visit the island with  Princes Islands cruise tours.  If you need a more quiet place rather than two big islands of Princes Islands, then you can choose other tiny islands such as Burgazada or Kınaliada. You can find peace and nature embellished with the sea of Marmara. If you want to see the Princes Islands you can also prefer Princes Island tours. Your time management is made by professional tour leaders at Princes Island Istanbul tour, therefore, you can see the islands with a more comfortable way. If you want to spend more days on the islands there are some hotel options for you. Princes Islands accommodation is also various. You can stay at the Splendid Palace Hotel on Princes Island Buyukada or you can stay at Merit Halki Palace Hotel on Prince's island Heybeliada. There are also other options as pensions or hiring a house if you want a longer visit.
 

Weather On Princes Island

Princes island weather is quite similar to central Istanbul's weather. However, it is more fresh and clean compared to city weather. It can be hot and moist in the summer while in the winter it is cool and cold as a part of the continental climate. Sometimes unexpected weather changes can be seen in Istanbul. So it is important to control weather forecast. It can be useful to take a lightweight coat in case the weather gets cool in the evening in the summertime. People mostly visit the islands in the summer because it is seen as a summer holiday place yet winter in the Princes Islands are also very quiet and peaceful. People are fewer compared to summertime. Princes island winter is cool therefore you can enjoy a cool winter day on the islands in your coat with Turkish tea in your hands.  The Princes Islands can be explored in all seasons!

You can also transform your Princes Islands visit into an unforgettable gorgeous dream with a professional Princes Islands tour from istanbul.com! Explore Princes Islands and things to do in Istanbul now!

How To Go To The Museum Of The Princes’ Islands

You must first travel to Buyukada, which is where the museum is located. You can reach there on any Princes Islands cruise, but if you prefer to travel alone, you can board a Buyukada ferry from Eminonu, Kadikoy, or Bostanci. Getting to the museum may appear difficult because there is no genuine public transportation available and motor vehicles are not permitted on any of the islands.

You must first travel to Buyukada, which is where the museum is located. You can reach there on any Princes Islands cruise, but if you prefer to travel alone, you can board a Buyukada ferry from Eminonu, Kadikoy, or Bostanci. Getting to the museum may appear difficult because there is no genuine public transportation available and motor vehicles are not permitted on any of the islands.

Visiting The Museum Of The Princes’ Islands

The Museum of the Princes Islands is open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The St. Nicholas Hangar Museum Site is open daily during the week but is closed on Mondays. Adult admission is 10 Turkish Liras, while subsidized tickets cost 5 Liras, and group tour participants pay just 1. Children under the age of 12, people with disabilities and their companions, Ministry of Culture employees, ICOM/ICOMOS members, Museology Professional Association members, Princes' Islands Municipality employees, tour guides, press card holders, and disabled card holders are all exempt from admission fees. Additionally, Wednesday admission is totally free for everyone.

Other Tourist Attractions Near The Princes’ Islands Museum

Ismet Inonu Museum: This historical house once belonged to the second president of the Republic of Turkey and a close friend of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Ismet Inonu. It was transformed into a museum by Inonu Foundation after Inonu’s passing. In the museum, you can see the life of Ismet Inonu and the style of the 1940s with various photos, furniture, and objects.

Sait Faik Abasiyanik Museum: When you have come all the way to the Princes’ Islands, it would be a shame to miss the home of one of the most famous Turkish writers, Sait Faik Abasiyanik. Redesigned as a museum in 1959, the museum houses many belongings, documents, photos, letters, and more objects that accompanied the loved author’s life. It is in Burgazada, but you will visit it if you are on a full Princes’ Islands tour anyway. Plus, admission is free!

Greek Orphanage: The iconic wooden building of the Greek Orphanage was constructed in 1898. It is claimed that it is Europe’s largest and the World’s second largest wooden building. The building was originally built to be used as a casino, but because a casino went against Ottomans’ beliefs and traditions, its owners failed to get the required permissions and the building was converted into a Greek orphanage in 1903. It was closed in 1964 and still remains closed. Because it is old and crumbling, you cannot enter it but you can still see this one-of-a-kind building from a close distance