Day trip to Büyükada Island

When the city becomes too much for you and you need a quick get away, island life in the Sea of Marmara is only an hour boat ride away! 

 The first of nine islands in the chain

There is a grouping on 9 islands called “Princes Islands” that have long served as Turkish royalty and elite’s getaway spot. Today the mansions still stand but all are welcome to enjoy the sun of the islands. There are no cars (except for emergency vehicles) on the islands leaving all transportation to horses, donkeys, bicycles and your walking shoes. We ventured to the largest of the 9 islands called Büyükada, which literally means “big island.” It is situated south of the Asian side of the city with beautiful distant views to Istanbul. 

The horse drawn carriages 

 Two local boys on their donkeys

All four of us in the Arcadia Program decided to rent bikes and explore the island. If you decide to bike the entire circumference of the island you will go a little over 9 miles. It’s exhausting but worth it. Most visitors choose the horse drawn carriage, which is lovely but stays along the main roads, and it’s more of a hassle to stop for pictures. If you are up to it, I recommend the bikes! 

The four of us ready to circumnavigate the island.

The town is quaint with old exquisite homes and mansions next to gorgeous new constructions. Tall trees and rot iron fences line the residential streets with peeking views of the Sea as you glance down side streets going down to the water.  When you are close to the shore line, palm trees and more tropical foliage surround you. As you climb to the higher points of the island, crooked pine tree forests create the stage for magnificent views across the water. There are beaches available for swimmers with 25 Turkish Lira in their pocket and may get very crowded with nice weather. 

 View down a residential side street

 Looking off to a sister island and Istanbul on the horizon

 My pink bike and me!

 The crooked pine tree forest

After a trip around the island, we returned our bikes and went in search for gelato. One very common thing in Turkey is to have streets with “themes”. For example, one street has shops all dedicated to musical instruments, another has all shops selling kitchenwares, and another may have only shops selling sewing machines. Well, we found the Gelato Street!!!! YES! It makes it easy to shop around, check flavors and prices, before choosing where you will spend your money. I ended up getting Nutella gelato…my new favorite. 

 Gelato anyone?!