When you think of places to visit close to Istanbul , don’t you think of Buyukada as well? Although we often dream of distant routes for travel, there is no need to measure happiness with distances, we should not seek peace that far.
If you are one of those who say “It would be nice to get away from the chaos of Istanbul for a few days”, just take the ferry. You can go to Buyukada in half an hour and leave all the stress of the big city behind you.
Buyukada is very close to Istanbul, but -when you go at the right time- it is so far away. It fascinates those who know how to discover corners where green and blue meet and no one is present.. For those who will come to Büyükada for the first time, I would like to remind you that it is very difficult to visit this place for a day.. If you have the opportunity, stay a few nights and meet the real Büyükada!
I am listing my suggestions for what to do in Büyükada, the largest of the Prince Islands What to do in Büyükada, where to go.
Places to Visit in Buyukada
Historic Buyukada Mansions
Buyukada, a place of exile thousands of years ago, From the beginning of the 1900s, it started to take on a completely different face under the influence of Westernization.. The mansions built one after another reveal the magnificent architecture of Büyükada today.. So much so that today special photography tours are organized for Buyukada mansions.
After you get off the ferry from Pier Square, you pass the Clock Tower and Çankaya. You can have a pleasant trip among these magnificent mansions by walking along the street.. In summer, the mansions are surrounded by pink bougainvilleas, and even just for this visual feast, one visits Büyükada.
The Most Beautiful Büyükada Mansions with Photo Shooting
- Agopian Mansion
- Con Pasha Mansion
- Fabiato Mansion
- Hazzopoulo Mansion
- Mizzi Mansion
- Soaper Mansion
- Abdülkadir Efendi Mansion
Although the most magnificent mansions of Büyükada are on Çankaya Street in Nizam, Kadiyoran Street and The strong>Maden region is also surrounded by magnificent Büyükada mansions.. If you have seen the mansions on Çankaya Street before, turn your route to Maden district this time and tour Yılmaz Türk Street all the way through.
Reşat Nuri Güntekin‘ The house where he lived in Büyükada is also on this street.. Unfortunately, it cannot be visited.. I wish Reşat Nuri Güntekin’s house was turned into a museum like the Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum in Burgazada.
Buyukada Grand Tour Cycling Route
A book, a bicycle, unlimited freedom… If you want to spend a day alone on Büyükada, take your favorite book with you, rent a bicycle and pedal towards one of the quiet corners of the island.. Or explore the surroundings of the island with your loved ones.
If you want to take a bike tour in Büyükada, you can choose one of the big tour or small tour options.. But before renting a bike, remember that the bumpy streets of Büyükada await you.
The Büyükada grand tour route starts from the ferry port, after Çankaya Street, Nizam, Dilburnu and Birlik Square, the Greek Orphanage, Eskibağ It is a comprehensive route where you can see the uninhabited areas of the island, including Viranbağ and Maden region.
Although the small tour to Büyükada is shorter than the big tour, it is especially preferred for those who are new to cycling.
Places to visit on Büyükada: Dilburnu Nature Park
I think it is one of the most peaceful corners of Büyükada Dilburnu Nature Park. Dilburnu Nature Park, which you come across after passing Çankaya Street and Nizam Street, is so beautiful that you can feel yourself teleported to the Aegean for a moment with its oxygen-rich air and unique sea view. It is possible to walk to the port, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the Pier Square.. If you wish, you can also reach by electric vehicle.
Dilburnu Nature Park entry fee is 9 TL per person, you can sit on wooden tables and have a picnic. This is also one of the rare places where you can have a barbecue in Büyükada.. If you come on the weekend, it is possible to complain about the crowd, you can really enjoy this place during the week.
There is also a country restaurant in Dilburnu Nature Park.. Here you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner.. Dilburnu Nature Park, which has a walking track, WC, viewing terraces, playground for children, should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Büyükada.
Dilburnu Nature Park click for the location.
Lovers’ Path
If you want to have a pleasant time with your lover by walking among pine and pistachio trees, the path you should follow Lovers’ Path. A magnificent historical building welcomes you at the top of the Lovers’ Road, which is almost an escape point for those who are overwhelmed by the crowds of Büyükada: Büyükada Greek Orphanage. >Places to Visit in Büyükada: Büyükada Greek Orphanage
Buyukada Greek Orphanage, one of the most valuable historical heritages of not only Büyükada but also our country, Manastır Hill‘ It is trying to stand with all its might in the forest area.. When I saw the Buyukada Greek Orphanage, known as Europe’s largest and the world’s second largest wooden structure, my throat was literally choked.
The old and lonely beauty of Ada, whose photo I had seen many times before, was in front of me with all her majesty.. The building, which was designed as a luxury hotel at the end of the 1890s, was donated to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate as a result of the opposition of the Ottoman administration.. II. During the reign of Abdulhamid, it was decided to use the building as an orphanage.
Buyukada Greek Orphanage, which is a home for children who lost their mother/father at a young age, was used until 1956, then abandoned to its fate.. Good news came from the Greek Orphanage, which was badly damaged by fires and earthquakes, restoration works are starting. I hope it will be restored in accordance with its original form and opened to visitors in a short time.
Because the Büyükada Greek Orphanage is in danger of collapse, it is forbidden to visit inside, you can only take pictures from the outside.
Click for Büyükada Greek Orphanage location.
Aya Yorgi Hill
Aya Yorgi Hill, a must on the list of Places to visit in Büyükada. This place is also known as Yuce Tepe and has a magnificent view as it is the highest point of Büyükada.. 3 kilometer walking path awaits those who want to reach Aya Yorgi Hill on foot.
Aya Yorgi Hill is a little ahead of Dilburnu Nature Park, Birlik Square, where the Lunapark Restaurant is located. The adventure of climbing Aya Yorgi Hill begins when you arrive in Istanbul.. If you come by bike, don’t forget to take a lock with you, you have to leave your bike at Birlik Square.
The slope is about one kilometer long, it can be very challenging if you prefer noon hours.. After an average of 30 minutes of climbing, you reach the destination.
When you reach the top, you come across Aya Yorgi Monastery, which is considered a pilgrimage point for the Orthodox.. Aya Yorgi Monastery, also known as the monastery where wishes come true, is flooded with visitors every year on 23 April and 24 September. You can often come across rags tied to wishing trees here.
If this is your first visit to Büyükada, don’t think that you will get tired, believe me, you forget all your tiredness after seeing the view.. Whether you sit on the rocks or sip your coffee against the view at the Yücetepe Country Casino. If you come across the sunset, don’t enjoy it.
click for the location of Aya Yorgi Church.
Adalar Museum
How would you like to go on a pleasant journey into the past of the Prince Islands? The Adalar Museum reveals the rich history of the Islands, from the geological formation to the present, with different objects, photographs and documents.
In the museum where you can closely examine the architecture, transportation, traditions and customs of the Islands. Personal belongings of island writers are also on display.. One of the parts of the museum that is worth seeing is the belongings of the students in the Büyükada Greek Orphanage.
The Aya Nikola Hangar Museum Area, the main building of the Islands Museum, is closed on Mondays. You can visit other days of the week between 09.30-17.00. The entrance fee to the Islands Museum is 10 TL for adults, and the discounted ticket is 5 TL.
The Islands Museum is located at Maden. It can be a bit tiring to reach here on foot, the best solution is to come by bike or electric vehicle.
Click for the Adalar Museum location.
Buyukada Beaches
Among the places to swim in Istanbul, Buyukada beaches play an important role. I went to the sea once in the Islands, I had the opportunity to swim at Burak Beach in Heybeliada.. The sea was cold and there were too many jellyfish. Of course, the Sea of Marmara cannot be compared with the Aegean or the Mediterranean, but it is still a matter of preference.
If you are planning to come to Büyükada in the summer months, there are many beaches of various sizes on the island, but unfortunately there is no public beach.. All of them charge daily entry fee. Sunbeds and umbrellas are included in the price.. Many businesses offer free access to the beaches by boat at certain time intervals from the pier.
Formerly Yorgoli, Yörükali Beach Büyükada’ one of the most popular beaches in. Since there is also a beach section, families with children can easily choose it.. Yörükali Beach is located behind Dilburnu.
Another Büyükada beach is Nakibey Beach. Nakibey Beach, located in Maden on the east side of the island, can be reached free of charge by boats from the pier, just like at Yörükali Beach.
Halik Bay in Eskibağ areaThe longest of Büyükada known as the beach. When it comes to Büyükada beaches, Princess Bay, which stands out with its calm and peaceful environment, is among the addresses where you can enjoy the sea and the sun all day long. Those who are overwhelmed by the crowd may also prefer the Viranbağ Beach located at the end of the island.
Sedef Island
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If you came to Büyükada with accommodation, Sedef Island, which is ten minutes away by boat, can be a different alternative.. If you want to swim or have a special dinner in a more decent and stylish environment, you can go to Sedef Island.. This place is not very well known because most of the island is private property.. While you’re here, you can’t say to visit the island.
The most famous establishment of Sedef Island Elio Sedef. Here you can swim in the beach section reserved for swimming, and spend a pleasant evening with your loved ones in the restaurant section.. Elio Sedef is also a very stylish alternative for organizations such as weddings and engagements.
Another Sedef Island restaurant/beach club is Sedef Liya. Both businesses provide boat transportation between Büyükada and Sedef Island both during the day and in the evening.. In addition, there is boat transportation from Kartal İDO to Elio Sedef and Sedef Ziya twice a day.. The journey takes 20 minutes. Let me remind you that the entrance fees and food and beverage prices of the venues are slightly higher than on Büyükada.
Buyukada Food & Drink Suggestions
We stayed two nights in Büyükada, we ate only dinner outside, including breakfast in our hotel.. On the first evening, we preferred Palya Restaurant’, which we had visited before and were satisfied.. On the second evening, Loc’ada, one of the most elegant restaurants of Büyükada, became our favorite with its appetizers and seafood.
The most beautiful hotel of Büyükada with its interior and exterior architecture Serving in the garden of Splendid Palace, Chocowhite‘s brownie and Ice Cream Shop‘s peach ice cream were among the Ada flavors that engraved my palate.
I explained all the places and flavors I tried in detail in my Buyukada food and beverage notes. You can take a look if you wish.
Accommodation in Büyükada
I have always visited Büyükada on a daily basis before. I would take the ferry early in the morning and return by ferry before it got dark.. When I went to stay, I realized that I I returned without experiencing Büyükada. There are beautiful corners of the island that I have not seen, even the sunset is beautiful.
If you, like me, have visited Büyükada for a day, stay at least 1 night, you will understand what I mean much better.. Büyükada is the richest among the islands in terms of accommodation options.. There are many hostels and hotels in Büyükada, which offers accommodation for every budget.
I chose Köşk Orman Boutique Hotel for my first accommodation experience in Büyükada.. 115 year old wooden historical mansion with sea and forest view. It also has its own small pool.
After two days spent in one of the quietest corners of the island, away from the crowds, surrounded by the clean forest air, I realized that it was pointless to seek peace far away.. If you are wondering where to stay on Buyukada, you can check out my Buyukada Accommodation Experience: Kosk Orman Hotel article.
