Princes' Islands Cruise & Tour Istanbul
One of the most-loved escapes from the city, this full-day cruise trades traffic and crowds for open water, pine forest, and horse-drawn silence. It's an easy way to see a completely different side of Istanbul in a single day.
The Princes' Islands sit a short cruise away from the historic peninsula, yet they feel like a different country. No cars are allowed on any of them, so the soundtrack of your day switches from traffic to gulls, bicycle bells, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage clatter. This full-day itinerary lets you experience that shift firsthand: a relaxed cruise across the Sea of Marmara, a look at three of the islands from the water, and a proper stop on Büyükada — the largest and most storied of the nine — with free time, lunch, and a swimming break in a quiet bay along the way.
Because the tour runs on a comfortable eight-hour schedule with hotel pickup and drop-off included, it works equally well for first-time visitors ticking off Istanbul's highlights and for repeat travelers looking for a slower-paced day away from Sultanahmet's crowds.
Sea of Marmara Cruise
A scenic boat ride from Kabataş pier past the Asian shoreline and out to the islands.
Secret Bay Swimming Break
Cool off in a quiet cove around Büyükada before continuing on to lunch.
Car-Free Islands
Explore Büyükada's lanes on foot or by electric buggy, past 19th-century mansions.
Full-Day Princes' Islands Itinerary
A relaxed, mostly on-the-water day: one pickup in the morning, one drop-off in the evening, and everything in between spent cruising, swimming, and wandering car-free island streets.
Your guide meets you at your hotel and transfers you from the old city to the pier at Kabataş, where the day's cruise begins on the Sea of Marmara.
The boat heads out past the first of the inhabited Princes' Islands, Kınalıada — "Henna Island" in Turkish, "Proti" (First) in Greek — the closest of the group to the city at just 1.3 km².
Kınalıada ("Henna Island")
Smallest and closest of the four inhabited islands, seen from the water as the cruise continues onward.
Next comes Heybeliada — "Saddlebag Island" in Turkish, "Halki" in Greek — the second largest of the group at 2.4 km², known for its naval history and pine-covered hills.
The boat rounds Büyükada ("Great Island" in Turkish, "Prinkipo" — Prince — in Greek), the largest of the Princes' Islands at 5.46 km², for a swimming break in a quiet, sheltered bay. Lunch is served on board, after which you're free to explore the island at your own pace — on foot, by bicycle, or aboard an electric car wagon, since motor vehicles have been banned here since the 1800s.
The boat returns to Kabataş, where your guide transfers you back to your hotel, wrapping up an 8-hour day on and around the water.
Büyükada
During the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, princes and other royals seen as threats to the throne were exiled to these islands, giving them their present-day name. Largely empty until the 19th century, they later became fashionable resorts for Istanbul's wealthy — a legacy still visible in Büyükada's preserved Victorian-era mansions.
Sea of Marmara & the Secret Bay
Before docking at Büyükada, the boat turns into a sheltered bay for a swimming break in calm, clear water — a favourite moment of the day for most travelers, and a welcome pause between the cruise out and the island exploring still ahead.
Why Travelers Love This Trip
Door-to-Door Pickup
Hotel transfers on both the European and Asian sides are included.
English-Speaking Guide
A professional tourist guide accompanies the group throughout the day.
Lunch Included
A full lunch with soft drinks is served on board — no need to plan a stop.
Tax Included, No Surprises
Entrance fees and tax are built into the price; only tips and extras are separate.
Get The Most Out Of Your Island Day
Based on patterns from travelers who've done this route, here's how to plan around the weather, the crowds, and the ferry schedules so the day runs smoothly.
Best Season To Go
Late spring through early autumn (May–October) gives the warmest water for the swimming break and the clearest island views.
What To Pack
Swimwear, a light towel, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes for Büyükada's car-free lanes.
Photo Tip
The Victorian mansions near Büyükada's clock tower and the pine-lined hilltop routes are the most photographed corners of the island.
Arrive rested: pickup starts early, so a light breakfast before departure is more comfortable than eating on the move.
Free time is real free time: Büyükada has cafés, a small beach club, and rental bikes if you'd rather explore than relax.
Combine with a Bosphorus cruise later in your trip for two very different perspectives on Istanbul's waterways.
Best Time To Visit The Princes' Islands
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off with ground transportation
- English-speaking professional tourist guide
- All entrance fees
- Lunch with soft drinks
- All applicable taxes
Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks on board
Good To Know Before You Book
- This is a shared group tour with an average group size of around 20 people.
- Children aged 0–2 join free of charge.
- Children under 6 years old receive a 30% discount off the adult rate.
- No accommodation is included or required for this daily tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pickup & Practical Information
No Accommodation Required
This is a daily tour — no hotel booking is included or needed. We collect you from your existing hotel and return you there at the end of the day.
Pickup Coverage
Hotel pickup is available from both the European (Sultanahmet, Taksim, Beyoğlu) and Asian (Kadıköy, Üsküdar) sides of Istanbul. Let us know your hotel when booking.
Departure Window
Pickup typically begins around 08:00, with the cruise itself running from approximately 09:00 to 17:00.
Looking For A Hotel Too?
Browse hotel options for your stay on our homepage, or ask our team to recommend one to pair with this tour.
What Travelers Say
Booked a fully custom family itinerary around Turkey after reaching out with a list of places to see — got a quick, honest response and a proposal that matched exactly what was asked for, shopping detours excluded.
Compared several Istanbul operators before booking a multi-day family trip that included a side trip to Bursa. Patient, honest answers throughout the planning process, with realistic pricing rather than upsells.
Chose Turkey for a honeymoon that mixed history and culture without feeling overly academic — language was a worry going in, but it never turned out to be a barrier.
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