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Rewind: History of Büyükada
True to its name, Büyükada – which means “large island” – is the largest of the Princes’ Islands. With a history dating to the sixth century, this island group was a place of exile for nobles and members of royal families during the Roman and Byzantine periods. An interesting note about the Princes’ Islands is that they contain iron mines, which is why the soil on the islands is a reddish color. On Büyükada, most of the iron comes from the eastern district, called Maden (mine).
How to get to Büyükada
Cityline ferry
You can get to Büyükada via the Cityline ferries or passenger ferries. Cityline ferries to Büyükada depart from Eminönü, Beşiktaş, Kabataş, Kadıköy and Bostancı. From the piers on the European side, the trip is about 90 minutes. It is about 30 minutes if you depart from Bostancı.
Passenger ferries
Mavi Marmara Ferry
Mavi Marmara vessels to Büyükada depart from Bostancı, Eminönü, Beşiktaş/Kabataş, Yeşilköy and Çınarcık. At this time the Yeşilköy and Çınarcık routes are not operating. We recommend checking the Mavi Marmara website to confirm which ferries provide service to Büyükada. The active lines of Mavi Marmara operate every 30 minutes to one hour.
Dentur Avrasya Ferries
The last answer to the question of how to get to Buyakada is via the Dentur Avrasya ferries. Dentur Avrasya ferries depart from Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Eminönü, Avcılar and Yalova, stopping first at Heybeliada and then at Büyükada. At present, Dentur Avrasya offers service to the Islands twice per day.
Prenstur Ferries
Prenstur Ferries make daily ring trips between Kartal-Büyükada-Heybeliada. It takes approximately 25-30 minutes to arrive at Büyükada from Kartal, and 30-35 minutes to arrive at Heybeliada.
Places to visit in Büyükada
Hamidiye Mosque
Also known as Büyükada Mosque, the Hamidiye Mosque is in the Maden district. The Mosque was built by the order of Abdülhamid II and opened to worship in 1895. The elegant two-story structure is made with cut limestone. It was originally designed to house a school; the students moved to another building and, as the Muslim population of the Island had increased, the building was converted into a mosque. It is considered the most architecturally notable of the four mosques on Büyükada .
Panayia Church
The Panayia (Virgin Mary) Church, also known as the Arabacılar Church by the residents of Büyükada, takes its name from “Panayia”, the name of the Virgin Mary in Orthodox discourse. Panayia Church is dedicated to the Feast of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on August 15 and one of the most important religious days of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Agios Demetrios Church
Dedicated to Ayios Dimitrios, considered the patron saint of Büyükada, the Church was opened to worship on May 7, 1856. The ‘Metropolitic Cathedral’ of the İstanbul Islands was the work of Greek architect Fistiki (Fistikos) Kalfa.
Agios Nikolaos Monastery
The 14th-century Ayios Nikolaos Monastery is on the east coast of the Island, opposite Sedef Island. The cracks created by the earthquake of 1509 – known as ‘the little apocalypse’ – caused the walls of the Monastery to sink into the ground. Thus the building is also known as the “Sunken Monastery.”
Hased Le Avraam Synagogue
Hased Le Avraam Synagogue is the only synagogue on Büyükada. The building was erected during the reign of Abdülhamid II to provide a place of worship for the Island’s Jewish community. This remarkable structure, named for Avram Fresko Efendi, who donated the land for the synagogue, was opened for worship on March 30, 1904.
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Armenian Church of Surp Astvazazin Verapohum
The Surp Astvazazin Verapohum Armenian Church was opened on August 15, 1858, the day of the Feast of the Virgin Mary. The structure features three high windows on two opposing walls, a circular rose window at the entrance, and a circa-1895 bell tower.
Büyükada Greek Orphanage: Isa Hill
While all of Büyükada’s hills offer beautiful views, two stand out: Isa (Christos) Hill and Yücetepe. The 164-meter-high Isa Hill is in the northern part of the Island. In 1898, a large and glamorous structure was built by a French company on Isa Hill, even then considered “the most beautiful place in Büyükada”. When the project failed to actualize due to bureaucratic issues, the Patriarch at that time purchased the building and repurposed it as an orphanage, opened in 1902. The Büyükada Greek Orphanage is one of the most important sites in Büyükada today. Below the Orphanage is the Hristos Monastery.
Yücetepe, Aya Yorgi Greek Monastery
The Agios Georgios Greek Orthodox Monastery, popularly known as Aya Yorgi, is on the 203-meter-high Yücetepe – Büyükada’s highest hill. Aya Yorgi was built in 963 during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Nikiforos Fokas.
Government Office
The Büyükada Government Office is at 44 Çankaya Street. It is believed that this showy mansion surrounded by a large garden was erected in the early 1900s. In any case, it has a lively past: The Government House building was used as a hotel for a period, then as a treasury after the First World War. During the occupation of İstanbul, it was converted into the Grand Imperial Hotel. It began operating as the Government House after the proclamation of the Republic.
Con Pasha Mansion
The Con Pasha Mansion, also known as John Avrimidis Mansion, is located on Çankaya Street. Achileus Policis was the architect of this striking villa, built in 1880 by the Lesbos-born Con Pasha. Con Pasha was the manager of the İdare-i Mahsusa, which carried out the first Kadıköy-Adalar ferry voyages in history. The Mansion features wooden ornaments and sculptures.
Sabuncakis Mansion (House with Eyes)
The Sabuncakis Mansion is in Büyükada’s Maden District. With architecture reminiscent of Ancient Greek temples, the Mansion was built by Aleppo-born Yorgi Sabuncakis during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The Sabuncakis Mansion was once used as a summer Masonic Lodge.
Trotsky House
Built as a summer house by Izzet Pasha during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid, this three-story, 3,550-square meter mansion is mainly notable due to one of its tenants – Leon Trotsky. The Soviet politician and founder of the Red Army, after being sent into exile by Lenin, came to Türkiye in 1929. For four years, he lived in the mansion with his wife, his grandson, and security detail. It is believed that Trotsky, who was assassinated in Mexico in 1940, wrote “My Life” and the “History of the Russian Revolution” during his time on Büyükada.
Dining in Büyükada
Of course there are seafood restaurants on Büyükada – it is surrounded by the sea. As well, the Island offers several local specialties. These include:
- Fried mussels, kokoreç (tripe), and French fries
- Lokma-style potato croquettes at the Yalova Kardesler charcuterie, and Kadınbudu meatballs
- Büyükada Patisserie’s famous cream pastries, Turkish delight cookies and palm cookies
- Bouquets of roses from ice cream made by Yunus Usta and served from his mobile stall
- Scrumptious pickles purveyed by the pickle vendor, who is stationed around the clock tower in the square in the evenings.
- Seafood and appetizers
Accommodation in Büyükada
Two historical hotels: The Splendid Palas Hotel and Büyükada Anadolu Club
Büyükada Splendid Palas Hotel
The Splendid Palas Hotel, opened in 1908, is the only hotel in Türkiye with the status of a first-degree historical monument – and remains faithful to its original state. This nostalgic structure is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy afternoon tea.
Büyükada Anadolu Club
The Büyükada Anadolu Club, established in the first years of the Republic under the directive of Atatürk, operated as the British Yacht Club in the pre-Republican period. The 1937 Anadolu Club Büyükada Branch Regulations declaration is as follows: “A club named the Büyükada Branch of Anadolu Club was established in order to serve to facilitate social relations and the need for rest among its members in Büyükada”. Today, the Büyükada Anadolu Club is a 120-room hotel and hosts concerts and entertainments during the summer months.
Büyükada boutique hotels, hostels
Of course, accommodation options in Büyükada are not limited to the two historical places above. There are a variety of delightful boutique hotels on the island along with modest – but clean – hostels. If you intend to spend a few nights on Büyükada, keep these options in mind.
Büyükada beaches
Eskibağ Beach
Büyükada Eskibağ Beach is one of the Island’s most popular beaches; it is accessible from the main tour road or via ferries departing from the port.
Halik Bay Beach
Halik Bay Beach, the longest beach on Büyükada, is accessed via shuttle motorboats departing from the port. Halik Bay Beach is one of the cleanest beaches in Büyükada.
Agia Nikola Beach
Aya Nikola Beach is a 30-minute bicycle ride from the center. Next to the beach is a boutique hotel with a private beach area. The sea around Aya Nikola Beach is less rough compared to other Büyükada beaches.
Princess Bay
Ferries depart from the port to Princess Bay Beach in front of the Princess Boutique Hotel. If you want to reach the beach on foot or by bike, you can follow the Lovers Road.
Yada Beach Club
Yada, with a sushi restaurant and a beach club, is renowned for its weekend parties. The beach can be accessed by a motorboat service near the port.
Nakibey Beach
A 15-minute walk from the center, Nakibey has a sandy beach. The business is called the “family beach.”
Yörükali Beach
Family-friendly Yörükali is also a sandy beach. It can be reached via motorboat from the Büyükada Port.
Sedef Island Beaches
The three beaches on Sedef Island can be reached from Büyükada via water taxi or the beaches’ private boat services. Sedef Island has one public beach and two private beaches.
A final note: The Büyükada Run is in mid-March!
Traditionally held in the spring, the annual Büyükada Run takes place on March 13, 2022. With wide participation from Island residents and visitors, the event is a festive affair as attendees welcome spring. You must register on the Büyükada Run website to participate in the race.
