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Rewind: History of Heybeliada
Also the greenest in İstanbul, Heybeliada which is famous for its historical building, has a storied history dating from the Byzantine era. The Island was originally called Halki – the Greek word for copper – a reference to its antique copper mines. The Turkish name, Heybeli, is from the Turkish word for “saddlebag,” which the Island’s geography is said to resemble.
Steam-powered ferry service to Heybeliada began in the 19th century. The Island’s year-round population is around seven thousand people; this number increases in the summer. As on the other Princes’ Islands, motor vehicles are prohibited; in Heybeliada, tours are conducted via electric vehicles. There are two main touring roads, the ‘Big Tour’ and the ‘Small Tour’ – also known as the ‘Lovers Tour.’
The four hills of Heybeliada
Değirmentepe, the highest of Heybeliada’s four hills, ascends 136 meters. The 85-meter Ümit Hill is home to the Halki Seminary and thus was called ‘Priest Hill’ in the past. The other two high hills on the Island are Taşocağı and Makarios.
How to get to Heybeliada?
Cityline ferries
You can get to Heybeliada via Cityline or passenger ferries. Cityline ferries to Heybeliada 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 Ferries
Mavi Marmara ferries to Heybeliada normally depart every 30 or 60 minutes from Bostancı, Eminönü, Beşiktaş/Kabataş, Yeşilköy and Çınarcık; however, the Yeşilköy and Çınarcık routes are active only in the spring and summer seasons. For updated information, you can check times and routes on the Mavi Marmara website.
Dentur Avrasya Ferries
Dentur Avrasya ferries depart from Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Eminönü, Avcılar and Yalova, stopping first at Heybeliada and then 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 on Heybeliada
Heybeliada Sanatorium
In past centuries, sanitariums were considered health centers, especially for the treatment of patients with tuberculous. The Heybeliada Sanatorium, founded in 1924 by the order of Atatürk, was also a training and research hospital until 2005. Prominent figures treated in the Heybeliada Sanatorium include the statesman İsmet İnönü, the poet Ece Ayhan and the writer Rıfat Ilgaz. The Sanitarium is also the location for the film “Kelebeğin Rüyası”, written and directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan. While visitors cannot enter the structure, the outdoor area is worth a visit.
Halki Seminary
Halki Seminary is on Ümit Hill, the highest hill on the Island. The 9th-century Byzantine era Ata Triada Church served as a place of worship as well as a seminary until 1844; it was called the “Higher Orthodox Theology School” until 1923, when its name was changed to “Halki Seminary”. In 1971, all schools in Türkiye were connected to the state: the school, which had become the “Heybeliada Private Greek High School”, was closed by the patriarchate at the end of the same academic year.
Heybeliada Naval High School (Bahriye)
Approaching Heybeliada by sea , the first building you’ll see will most likely be Heybeliada Naval High School, also known as the “Bahriye”. This important institution was founded in 1773 in Kasımpaşa Shipyard under the name of “Mühendishane-i Bahr-ı Humayun (The School of Naval Engineering)”. Although connected to different institutions over the years, the school resumed operations on Heybeliada in 1946 and continued to provide education until it was closed down along with other military high schools in 2016. Today, the historical building of Heybeliada Naval High School is open to visitors.
Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar Museum
The home of Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar, a prominent figure of Turkish literature is on Heybeliada. Gürpınar spent 32 years of his life here, living in the house until 1944. The home became a museum in 2017. The contents of the Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar Museum belong to the writer and include 350 Turkish volumes, 304 French volumes and 110 newspapers. The museum is currently under restoration.
Aya Yorgi Cliff Church
Believed to date from the late 16th century, the pink-colored Aya Yorgi Cliff Monastery was originally called the “Hagios Georgios tou Kremnou (the monastery of Saint George of the Precipice)”. The monastery is set on a hillside overlooking Büyükada and offers stunning views.
Bet Yaakov Synagogue
When the Jewish population on Heybeliada expanded, a synagogue was needed. Built by the Neve Shalom Foundation, the Heybeliada Bet Yaakov Synagogue was opened for worship on June 10, 1956. The simple structure can be visited on Saturdays and religious holidays.
Hagios Nikolaos Church
Built over the ruins of what is believed to be a Byzantine era church dedicated to Saint Nicholas the patron saint of mariners, the Hagios Nikolaos Church was erected in 1857 by architect Stefanis Gaitanakis. The structure was impacted in 1894 by an earthquake and restored with the permission of Abdülhamid II. The domed church is still used for worship.
Dining in Heybeliada
While dining options on Heybeliada are not as varied or numerous as those on the larger Büyükada, classic Turkish mezes and seafood dishes are available in several waterfront restaurants. In addition, you can check out quaint cafes for herbal teas and cool drinks. The Nazlıgül Pudding Shop is renowned for its tasty pastries.
Heybeliada beaches
Ada Beach Club
Set along Çam Limanı Bay, the Ada Beach Club is first on our list of Heybeliada beaches. The resort features a backdrop of lush pine forests and offers sandy and grassy areas, as well as mini golf facilities and a beach volleyball court.
Değirmenburnu Beach
About 400 meters from the Heybeliada Pier, Değirmenburnu Beach is cozy, easily accessible, and popular with visitors.
Aqua Green Beach
Heybeliada Aqua Green Beach offers an aquapark in addition to its beach. Free transportation to the beach is available from the pier.
Akvaryum Bay
Heybeliada Akvaryum Bay is considered a hidden paradise of the Island. The mussels caught in the waters of this calm beach are quite famous. The beach is a short walk from the Merit Halki Palace hotel.
German Bay
Further from the center is the pebble beach at German Bay. While more difficult to reach than Heybeliada’s other beaches, it faces the open sea and is quite clean.
