A 35mins trip by Sea Bus will take you to Buyukada, one of the most popular and traffic-free islands
a cool drink is sheer luxury. During trips you also have the option to stop off at historical sites or villages that catch your fancy, such as Bebek, one of the most fashionable along the straits.
The official Bosphorus ferry run by Istanbul Sea Bus Company sets off from Eminonu Port at the base of Galata Bridge offering spectacular views of the harbour and in particular the iconic Suleymaniye Mosque.
The all round trip to the upper Bosphorus and back stops at six piers on the way giving passengers the choice to get off and explore palaces and villages. Visitors can return to port back by boat or take the bus or taxi. There are also pre-arranged boat tours and for those that fancy a more personal service you can book small boats from the port. Average all round trip is about 2hrs.
A 35mins trip by Sea Bus will take you to Buyukada, one of the most popular and traffic-free islands
Princes Islands Alternatively if you fancied a different kind of excursion then the quiet Princes Islands( situated on the sea of Marmara) have both history and beaches on offer. Out of high summer these are relaxing respites to the bustle and hustle of Istanbul’ s central hot spots but be warned that in summer( July, August) this is where many locals escape to.
A 35mins trip by Sea Bus( note Sea Bus rides are more expensive but twice as fast as Ferry services) will take you to one of the most popular and trafficfree islands- Buyukada, the largest, where one can jump on a pretty horsedrawn carriage and explore the central area or pop down to one of many secluded sandy beaches for a spot of sunbathing and dining by the sea. During my brief time on the island I hiked to the lovely Monastery of St George in the heart of the island and also discovered Leon Trotsky’ s now derelict home of residence where he wrote History of the Russian Revolution.
Four of the nine Princes Islands are accessible by sea bus and ferry from Istanbul’ s Adalar ferry terminal in Kabatas. ■
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