The Büyükada Island is a short 45 minutes boatride (with a fastferry) from Istanbul’s European shore, but a world apart. It’s the major of the Prince’s Islands in the Marmara Sea and an oasis alone to the fact that it has no cars.
Arriving in Büyükada is like arriving in any Turkish fishermen’s village, aside from the fact that the Asian side of Istanbul with its smog and high rise buildings is clearly visible across the water.
One has to hire a horse carriage, rent a bike or simply walk to get to the other side of the island – or to the Greek monastery on the hill top – to really appreciate the getaway and enjoy the rare silence.
Since horses are the main means of transportation and as abundant as taxis in mainland Istanbul, you may for once relax and not feel like a lazy tourist when sitting in the carriage. Just enjoy. The many horses in the island not only provide access to the far corners, but also a very rural scent of horse dung.
Although the island has no real beaches it’s a favourite weekend destination for Istanbullus eager to get their minds far away in a short distance. Either they go for daytrips or stay in rented houses or hotels while spending their day time in one of the plenty private swimming pools accessible with admission.
Büyükada, conventional and fast ferries leave Istanbul’s European shore from Kabatas, and the Asian shore from Bostanci.
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