Just over an hour from Istanbul, a trip to the Princes' Islands is a tranquil excursion from the bustle of the big city. This Marmara Sea ferry is your light and breezy return ticket to the biggest of the islands, Büyükada, for a stress-free and history-laden day trip.
Get your Princes' Island Ferry ticket and embark from Dentur Avrasya Kabataş Ferry Station, then it's a relaxing 75-minute float over to Büyükada, which translates very literally to "Big Island". Once you're there, the day is yours to spend however you want until your included return ferry ride (final departure 3:30pm).
Looking for things to do on Büyükada? A top tip is to rent bikes on arrival, so you can explore the mansion-lined streets at your leisure. There are also horse-drawn phaetons you can pay to get around in, but there are no cars on Büyükada. Take that, Uber!
Visit the 18th-century Aya Yorgi Church atop the island's highest hill, taking in stellar views of the smaller surrounding islands and even Istanbul. Sun-seekers can grab an icy gelato and unwind on one of the island's many beaches.
History buffs can visit Adalar Museum to trace the islands' position within Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The area was also once home to some famous exiles, the pick of which being Leon Trotsky, and you can visit the ruined Yanaros mansion where he and his family once holed up.
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