Buyukada Travel Guide

  Sea between the trees
by ophiro
 
  • Sea between the trees
      Sea between the trees
    by ophiro
  •   Buyukada
    by aysun
  •   Buyukada
    by aysun
  • View from the ferry
      View from the ferry
    by Arkeolog
  • Going thru to islands
      Going thru to islands
    by Tuna_ank
 

Pro

Arkeolog profile photo

  silent and quiet 


Con

ophiro profile photo

  Can be boring , nothing to do 


In a nutshell

Amathus profile photo

  A must for the Istanbul visitor. 

 

Explore Buyukada

Things to Do  

Greek monastery Aya Yorgi

Greek monastery Aya Yorgi, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  This monastery is still evidence, that place was also inhabited by Greeks, who left their material remembrance. St. George monastery (or Aya Yorgi) is known from 6th century. Anyway, now seems place is more new, as remaining church looks possibly from 19th century. If you... 

Mizzi mansion

Mizzi mansion, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Probably most Buyukada mansions are wooden, nicely carved, but this one is brick and with interesting architecture, looking more as a modern castle part.The place was used as offices of Levand Herald. Probably mansion is a structure of second half of 19th century – early... 

Ottoman ferry port

Ottoman ferry port, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  When you come to Buyukada by ferry it is easy to see first exotic building – it is Ottoman style ferry port that was constructed in 1899. Inner part of it is housed by different souvenir sellers as well as coffee and small tourist information center.Old ferry port is one of... 

Orthodox Patriarchate orphanage

Orthodox Patriarchate orphanage, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Orthodox orphanage is located in one of hilltops of Buyukada. For a long times, from Byzantine Empire rule it was significant place in island. Newer wooden building nowadays looks like it should be immediately repaired.Orthodox orphanage could be seen from hill, where Greek... 

A door knocker from Buyukada

A door knocker from Buyukada, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  I like to photographing lady hand shaped door knockers. I found a pair of door knockers in that type during my Buyukada travel. For more door knockers from my trips please have look at travelogues on my homepage . 

Feeding the Seagulls

Feeding the Seagulls, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  It is an absolute ferry classic in Istanbul. Feeding the seagulls from ferry is a must do when you visit Istanbul. Buy a simit (round bread with sesame toppings) and enjoy your bird feeding :) Sometimes the seagulls can be little cheeky. be careful 

Visiting Buyukada by Ferry

Visiting Buyukada by Ferry, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  There are two ways of getting Buyukada; Ferry (vapur in Turkish) and small ferry ( motor in Turkish). Ferries use the main and historical port building in Buyukada which is by the main street of Buyukada. Port of small ferries is also very close to main street. 

Restaurants  

Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu: Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu

Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu: Yucetepe Kir Gazinosu, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Restaurant is located in beautiful surrounding just on the hill nearby Greek St. George monastery. The place allows enjoying Marmara sea with Istanbul panorama far away.I ordered apple tea and chicken shish. Not so usually, but main dish was not as big as I expected (as I... 

Kahve Dunyasi: Kahve Dunyasi for great coffee and chocolates

Kahve Dunyasi: Kahve Dunyasi for great coffee and chocolates, Buyukada

 Martin_S. Says:  Kahve Dunyasi, located just above main street on Buyukada Is., is a coffeeshop and also has chocolates. We wanted to have a coffe and then take some of the chocolates with us for our walk around the island. We entered the shop and asked to try the chocolate covered coffee... 

Kapri: Beware of the Greek

Kapri: Beware of the Greek, Buyukada

 panagiotis1 Says:  Although I 've been "studying" this site each time I travel, I had never written smthing in the past. And the reason I became a member today, is to be able to write a warning about a restaurant in Buyukada which I visited yesterday.I am Greek and visited the island with my... 

all of them: Fish restaurants with seaviews

all of them: Fish restaurants with seaviews, Buyukada

 grahamstanley Says:  We were attracted to the fish restaurants on the seafront, and decided to try one of the better looking ones. It was, however, very disappointing - To begin with, the shrimp starter was tasteless, the fried cheese pasties had very little cheese in them. The fish dish baked... 

Transportation  

Ferry boats to and back to Istanbul

Ferry boats to and back to Istanbul, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Buyukada and other larger islands around could be visited by ferry boats from Kabatas ferry port in Istanbul (not so far from Taxim square). Ferries run about every 2 hours, and stop in Asian side of Istanbul Kadikoy, later in 4 islands, the last one is Buyukada. The ferry... 

To Büyükada; Ferry and around Büyükada; Bicycle

To Büyükada; Ferry and around Büyükada; Bicycle, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  Büyükada can be reached by ferry from the piers at Kabatas, Kadiköy or Bostanci. As you approach the island you will first notice the lush vegetation and then the elegant old houses rising above the deep blue sea. As you get closer, the architecture, decoration and details... 

Shopping  

KANTARELLI: Souvenirs

KANTARELLI: Souvenirs, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  It is the only one shop where you can buy t-shirts, mugs, wall hangings etc with the drawings of Buyukada or other islands. Mugs are nice: 13 TLT-shirts are very lovely (also there aret-shirts for kids): 20 TL 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Restaurants - be aware of potential rip offs!

Restaurants - be aware of potential rip offs!, Buyukada

 BlueLlama Says:  Before we even arrived on Buyukada, we'd been hassled by someone on the mainland who wanted us to visit his restaurant. This pretty much set the tone for our meal on the island.It may be because it was a cold, wet day in the low season and day-trippers were few and far... 

Stoopid night club

Stoopid night club, Buyukada

 Emiralex Says:  We were just about to go and have a nap after a long day spent on Buyukada hills, when it has begun. Somebody started singing live around 23:00 in the night club which is next to an excellent Splendid Palace Hotel. Completely closed doors and windows didn't help. After about... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Istanbul - vibrant big town

Istanbul - vibrant big town, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Istanbul is bustling biggest city in Turkey, located on Bosporus strait. The place was known as capital of Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Nowadays it is one of the most visited places in the World, having big variety of old architecture – mosques, palaces,... 

Aya Yorgi / Hagia Georgios Hill

Aya Yorgi / Hagia Georgios Hill, Buyukada

 Arkeolog Says:  Before you decide to pass between the colourful horse carriages waiting their turn and head up the road to Hagia Yorgi Hill, you should make sure you are rested, as it is uphill all the way. The Aya Yorgi Church at the top of the hill is of particular importance for both... 

Favorites  

Horse carriages

Horse carriages, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  Despite it could be as transportation tip, I put it in General. That’s because the fact, that this mean of transportation more for fun, for entertainment, and expensive one, mostly just for tourists, it creates a special atmosphere to island.Horse and carriage it is one of... 

Wooden mansions

Wooden mansions, Buyukada

 Raimix Says:  For the last centuries Buyukada is popular for people, who come to relax near the sea. Naturally place is full of wooden different styles mansions, mostly Victorian. The time of mansions’ construction could be from around middle of 19th century to early 20th century. 

The Place

Plan a Buyukada vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Buyukada locals

Experience Buyukada
  •   82 Tips and Reviews
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Map of Buyukada
 

The People

 
Our Members Say
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 New building in old style. Rooms are perfect, spacious and silent. Breakfast and staff are normal. Good place to stay with someone special. I would rate it as a... 

 

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Top Buyukada Writers

1

BUYUKADA

Arkeolog profile photo

 One can experience many different aspects of Istanbul’s unique geographical situation, but its islands are particularly popular during the summer months. Throughout history these islands have been... 

2

Buyukada - Biggest from the Princes' Islands

ophiro profile photo

 Buyukada - The biggest island 

3

Buyukada - escape to intercultural island

Raimix profile photo

  Buyukada is the largest island nearby Istanbul, located in Marmara sea. The name of island actually has meaning of simply “big island”. There are many of them around, but four of them are these where... 

4

The big island

BlueLlama profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Buyukada. I'd love to share with you the 3 tips I've written, the 7 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

5

Buyukada

morgr profile photo

 The first thing you will notice, or at least the first thing that I noticed, was Buyukadas complete lack of cars. Apart from a few exceptions (cop car, ambulance etc.) cars are banned on the island.... 

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