Istanbul Princes Islands Cruise: Day Trip with Landmarks & Free Time

Summary

Quiet island escapes, city legends and Bosphorus stories by boat

You’ll drift away from Istanbul’s bustle on a Princes Islands cruise — passing legends like Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace before landing on car-free islands where life slows down. Expect fresh sea air, local flavors (don’t skip the pastries), free time to wander or bike Heybeliada and Büyükada, plus those quiet moments you might not expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the city noise just faded as our boat slipped under Galata Bridge. There were men fishing off the railings, one of them grinning at us as we passed — I waved back, maybe a little awkwardly. Our guide (her name was Elif) pointed out the Galata Tower rising above the rooftops. She told us about some old inventor who tried to fly from there across the Bosphorus. I pictured it for a second — wings flapping over the water, everyone below probably thinking he’d lost his mind. Anyway, the air started to smell less like exhaust and more like salt and something green, pine maybe.

By the time we reached Heybeliada, it felt like we’d landed in another country. No cars — just bikes rattling over cobbles and people laughing in little clusters outside cafés. We had some free time, so I tried this pastry from a bakery near the port (not sure what it was called — buttery, sweet, still warm). The pine trees here are thicker than I expected, and you can hear cicadas if you stop talking long enough. Elif suggested renting bikes but honestly, I just wanted to walk and listen to my feet on gravel for a while.

Büyükada was busier but not in a bad way; more families picnicking, kids chasing each other near those old wooden mansions. We had three hours to do whatever — I wandered up towards Ayia Yorgi Church but didn’t make it all the way (too hot, too lazy). Instead I sat at this café with a view of boats bobbing below and ordered coffee that came with a tiny square of lokum. The owner chatted with me about how summers used to be quieter here; he shrugged and smiled when I asked if he missed it. On the way back toward Istanbul, someone pointed out Maiden’s Tower glowing on its little rock in the dusk — looked almost unreal against all that city light.

Funny how you can leave somewhere so hectic and end up feeling like you’ve borrowed someone else’s slower life for an afternoon. Even now when things get noisy at home, I think about that hush between islands or that weirdly perfect pastry on Heybeliada. Not every day trip from Istanbul lets you see both sides of its story like this one does.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cruise and explore Princes' Islands

• Sail under Galata Bridge
• View Galata Tower
• Admire Topkapi Palace from water
• See Maiden's Tower
• Visit Heybeliada Island
• Explore Büyükada Island for three hours

Top questions

How long is the Princes Islands cruise from Istanbul?

The full journey including stops at Heybeliada and Büyükada takes most of a day.

Is there free time to explore Büyükada?

Yes, you’ll have around three hours of free time on Büyükada during the tour.

Are cars allowed on Heybeliada or Büyükada?

No private cars are allowed; only bicycles and electric vehicles operate on these islands.

What landmarks will we see from the boat?

You’ll pass Galata Bridge, Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower along the route.

Is lunch included during this Princes Islands cruise?

No lunch is included but there are plenty of cafés and restaurants on both islands where you can buy food.

Are guides available in English?

Yes, in-person guides speak English (and Russian).

Is this Princes Islands tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

Can infants join this day trip from Istanbul?

Yes; infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by air-conditioned vehicle from central Istanbul with an English- or Russian-speaking guide throughout. You’ll get plenty of free time to explore Heybeliada and Büyükada at your own pace before returning by boat in the evening—no need to worry about logistics or tickets along the way.