destinations
Büyükada
Stunning Homes Away from Home
Büyükada is the largest of the nine islands and the most popular with day-trippers from İstanbul. The island consists of two peaks, both of which offer breath-taking views. There are many historic churches, monasteries, and mansions on the island that tourists can visit. Büyükada also welcomes its visitors with its serene atmosphere where time has stood still, with its historic pier, large bazaar square, tea gardens, cafés, shellfish, and famous fish restaurants. For cycling enthusiasts, there’s a great outer loop that skirts the coastline of the island.
On Hristos, the hill closest to the ferry landing, is a former Rum orphanage, a huge wooden building that is still the largest wooden structure in Europe and second in the world. In the valley between the two peaks are the 6th-century church and monastery of Ayios Nikolaos and the former fairground Luna Park. If you take one of the electric taxi rides around the island, you will reach this point from where you can take the easy climb to Ayia Yorgi, a tiny church with stunning views and a café serving delightful delicacies, an essential part of the Ayia Yorgi experience. Built by Abdül Hamid II in the 19th Century, Hamidiye Mosque, contrasts with the other places of worship on the island. Visitors can also drop by to Panagia and Hagios Demetrios Orthodox Churches, the beautifully ornate San Pacifico Franciscan Church, and the unusual Surp Asdvadzadzin Verapolium Armenian Church.
However, it is the mansions and villas that seem to attract the attention of visitors. Büyükada even has a designated centre for historic villas. These grand and majestic buildings, mostly built of wood, often tower over the archipelago in all their glory. The most famous mansions are the Con Paşa, Yelkencizade, Fabiano, and Mizzi mansions. Many of the mansions can be visited by tourists, and if you are lucky enough, you may find ones you can rent for a little island getaway.
Other attractions on the largest island of the Princes’ Islands include the impressive and traditional historic pier built by architect Mihran Azaryan. And is the perfect subject for amateur and professional artists to express on their canvas, especially when capturing the glow of light from the mainland coast, the flickering stars of the night sky, and the beautiful illumination of the pier.
Enjoy the pristine blue waters and golden sands at Yörükali Beach. The beaches offer spectacular views of the sea and its surroundings. Büyükada offers the most beaches and beach options and facilities of all the islands. And are suitable for both adults and families with children.
It is also known for being home to İstanbul's first and only city museum, the "Museum of the Princes' Islands" in Aya Nikola. Of course, no visit to Büyükada would be complete without exploring the life of Leon Trotsky, who lived on the island between 1929 and 1933, and his house turned museum can still be visited today.