Princes' Islands · Heybeliada
Heybeliada, Istanbul: A Complete Visitor's Guide
Heybeliada, the second-largest of the Princes' Islands, is greener and calmer than Büyükada. Two pine-clad hills give it its “saddlebag” shape, and between them sit the landmark Halki seminary, a former naval academy, and a coastline of quiet bays that make it a favourite for swimming.
- Size
- 2nd largest
- Ferry (Kabataş)
- ~45m
- Area
- 2.4 km²
- Ferry stop
- #3
“Saddlebag Island” — named for its two-humped shape.
Why visit Heybeliada
Heybeliada trades Büyükada's grandeur for pine-scented tranquillity. It is the best island for a forest walk followed by a swim, and its smaller scale makes it easy to loop the whole coast in an afternoon.
The Halki Seminary
On the northern hill stands the Halki (Ruhban) School of Theology, the historic Greek Orthodox seminary founded in 1844. Its hilltop setting and monastery grounds are among the most atmospheric sights on any of the islands.
Swimming and beaches
Heybeliada's coves and small beach clubs offer some of the clearest water in the archipelago. The coastal e-cart loop drops you near several swimming spots, and the pine forest comes right down to the shore.
What to see and do on Heybeliada
- Pine forests and the Çam Limanı bay
- The historic Halki (Ruhban) Greek Orthodox seminary
- The former Naval Academy on the waterfront
- Quiet swimming coves and beach clubs
- Phaeton-style e-cart loop through the pines
How to get to Heybeliada
Heybeliada is stop number 3 on the Princes’ Islands ferry route. Boats leave from Kabataş and Eminönü on the European side and from Kadıköy and Bostancı on the Asian side; the fastest sailings come from Bostancı. Check the full ferry schedule and tickets before you travel — services are frequent in summer and lighter in winter.
Heybeliada FAQ
How do you get to Heybeliada from Istanbul?+
Heybeliada is reached by public ferry from Istanbul's main piers — Kabataş and Eminönü on the European side, Kadıköy and Bostancı on the Asian side. The crossing takes roughly 45 minutes from Kabataş, and you tap in with an Istanbulkart just as you would on the city's other ferries.
Is Heybeliada worth visiting?+
Yes — Heybeliada rewards visitors with car-free streets, sea views and a relaxed pace that's hard to find so close to a major city. How much time you need depends on the island's size, but even a half-day gives you a genuine feel for it.
Can you swim on Heybeliada?+
There are places to swim on Heybeliada during the summer season (roughly June to September), from beach clubs to public shores. Water clarity around the Princes' Islands is among the best near Istanbul.
Planning your Heybeliada day trip?
Get the ferry timing right and see how to combine your island with the rest of a smooth day out from Istanbul.
See the day-trip itineraryOther Princes' Islands
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