The Princess Islands are located in the Sea of Marmara, 17 kilometers off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, one of the largest cities in the world. It is a group of nine small islands. These islands are also called ‘Aladar’ in Turkish because the royal families were exiled here during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The English translation for this is Princess (Princes). The wealthy of Istanbul and Greece occupied these islands for their summer holidays and built beautiful Victorian style wooden houses. Today, let’s take a look at Bayokuta Island in the beautiful Princess Archipelago.
Arrived at Eminonu Ferry Station on the European side of Istanbul by taxi from the Pullman Hotel where he was staying. The ticket to Princess Island was taken on the public ferry. The ferry, which is run by Sehir Hatlari’s company, a little old but well maintained, was ready for the trip. I was sitting on the open top deck of that two story boat. It’s a 90 minute journey to get to the island, and the journey begins. An unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus strait, with stunning views of Istanbul along the coast.
Seagulls follow our boat in droves. At first I didn’t understand why. But when the companions gave them food, it was coming closer to the boat. They ate the food that was put in our hands or before it fell into the water. After a while, we started to see green fields in the distance. Four islands, Kinaliada, Burgas, Habeliada and Bayukuta, have developed infrastructure and are open to the public and tourists.
The places most visited by tourists
Bayukuta is the largest and most popular island among the Princes Islands and is the most visited by tourists. Spread over an area of 5.4 square kilometers, the island offers a lot of entertainment to the visitors. I chose to skip the first three islands and visit Bayukuta Island. A unique feature of the Princes Islands is that it is completely free of motor vehicles. The means of transport on the islands are electric vehicles and bicycles. Horse carriages used to exist but are now banned. The boat was approaching the shore and I got off the boat and walked to the sights. Rainy but lovely weather with a cool breeze. Lots of tourists. The first goal is to wander the beautiful streets and alleyways. Everywhere colorful flowers and shade trees will welcome us, fruiting orange trees and pretty cats are the sight to see.
A statue of Atatürk was seen on the shore. Lots of shops for renting bikes and electric scooters. Lots of souvenir shops, as well as shops selling pretty flower headbands, seashells and more. There is a place with a small clock tower that starts the different routes to the island. I walked and got there. From here, for 15 lira, you will be shown the whole island in a buggy. He took the ticket and started the journey. Kangaya Caddesi and Yarmuk Caddesi are two very popular streets in Bayukuta.
There are areas of thick pine trees and parks here and there on the slopes. Highlights of the island include a museum, churches, the mansion where Russian revolutionary Trotsky lived in hiding, and the now abandoned Greek dormitory that was later turned into a casino. There is a beautiful beach here but I didn’t go in the water because it was cold. The most famous place in Bayukuta is the Monastery of Hagios Georgios (Monastery of Saint George) which is located on the highest hill of the island. It is a 30 minute bike ride from the main jetty to the hill on which the ashram is built. As well as shopping, cycling, hiking, and enjoying delicious seafood and Turkish cuisine at a seaside restaurant, and sipping Turkish coffee at one of the many charming cafes, Prince’s Island is a must-see. see Another one is the Turkish Delights here. As this place has become an important tourist destination, all the best Turkish delicacies and sweets are now available here as well.
A trip to the Princes Islands from Istanbul is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time in the tranquility of nature. There aren’t many sights for visitors to see in Bayukuta, but the main thing is to enjoy the amazing atmosphere of the island in every nook and cranny, passing the luxurious buildings along the lanes lined with bougainvillea villas and the pine. slopes. It’s time for the boat to go back. Bought a headband decorated with flowers and shells for Neva, a fridge magnet for Neil, and walked to the boat dock eating Turkish dondurma ice cream. Back to Istanbul on the 4 o’clock ferry. The rich scenery of the Princes Islands, the soothing beauty of the environment and the mild climate take the visitors to a completely different world.
English Summary: Visit the Princes’ Islands, Istanbul, Turkey
