The archipelago
The Princes' Islands: Which Island Should You Visit?
There are nine Princes' Islands, four you can easily visit and one iconic favourite. Compare them side by side to pick the right island for your day trip.
The Princes’ Islands are a group of nine islands, but only five matter for most visitors. In the order the ferry reaches them from Istanbul, they are Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada, with the tiny beach island of Sedef just beyond. Each has a distinct personality — this page helps you choose the right one.
Compare
Which island to visit
A side-by-side look at the four main islands, plus Sedef, to help you decide before you board.
| Island | Size | Ferry | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Büyükada | Largest island | ~55 min | Aya Yorgi hilltop monastery | First-time visitors who want the full, iconic Princes' Islands experience |
| Heybeliada | 2nd largest | ~45 min | Pine forests and the Çam Limanı bay | Travellers wanting forest walks and swimming with fewer crowds |
| Burgazada | 3rd largest | ~40 min | Kalpazankaya cliffs and sunset restaurant | Slow travellers and anyone chasing a laid-back local vibe |
| Kınalıada | Smallest inhabited | ~35 min | The first and closest island to the city | A quick beach escape when time is short |
| Sedef Island | Tiny (0.16 km²) | ~65 min | A small, exclusive island beyond Büyükada | A beach day away from the busier islands |
In depth
Guides to each island
Tap through for a full guide to getting there, what to see, and where to swim on every island.
Stop 4Büyükada
~55 min“Big Island” — the largest of the Princes' Islands
Best for first-time visitors who want the full, iconic princes' islands experience.
Explore Büyükada
Stop 3Heybeliada
~45 min“Saddlebag Island” — named for its two-humped shape
Best for travellers wanting forest walks and swimming with fewer crowds.
Explore Heybeliada
Stop 2Burgazada
~40 min“Fortress Island” — from the ancient Greek Antigoni
Best for slow travellers and anyone chasing a laid-back local vibe.
Explore Burgazada
Stop 1Kınalıada
~35 min“Henna Island” — for its reddish, iron-rich soil
Best for a quick beach escape when time is short.
Explore Kınalıada
Stop 5Sedef Island
~65 min“Mother-of-Pearl Island” — a tiny beach retreat
Best for a beach day away from the busier islands.
Explore Sedef IslandGood to know
Choosing between the islands
If you only have one day and want the classic experience, Büyükadais the obvious choice — it’s the largest, liveliest and most photogenic, with the Aya Yorgi hilltop church and streets of belle-époque mansions. It’s also the busiest, so aim for a weekday or an early boat.
For a nature-first day, Heybeliada pairs pine-forest walks with quiet coves for swimming. Burgazadais the connoisseur’s pick — calm, local and literary, with the Kalpazankaya cliffs for sunset.
Pressed for time or travelling with children who just want the beach? Kınalıada is the closest island to the city and the fastest to reach, with bathing spots a short walk from the pier. And for a pure beach day away from the crowds, hop from Büyükada across to little Sedef Island.
Whatever you choose, the ferry ride itself is part of the pleasure — so consider combining two neighbouring islands, catching the onward boat rather than doubling back.
Choosing an island: FAQ
Which Princes' Island should I visit?+
For a first visit, choose Büyükada — the biggest island, with the most sights, the famous Aya Yorgi climb and the grandest mansions. Prefer nature and swimming? Heybeliada's pine forests are ideal. Want quiet and local character? Burgazada. Short on time? Kınalıada is the closest and quickest for a beach half-day.
Which is the biggest Princes' Island?+
Büyükada — the name literally means “Big Island” in Turkish — is the largest of the Princes' Islands, at about 5.4 km², and the most visited.
Can you visit more than one island in a day?+
Yes. The ferry stops at Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada in turn, so you can island-hop by catching the next boat. In practice, two islands in a day is comfortable; trying to see all four leaves little time ashore.
How many Princes' Islands can you visit?+
Four islands are served by regular public ferry — Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada — plus the small beach island of Sedef, reached via Büyükada. The remaining islands in the group are uninhabited or closed to visitors.
Know your island? Now get there
Compare every route from Istanbul — public ferry, fast sea bus and private boat — and find the quickest crossing for your day.
How to get to the islands