Büyükada itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · İstanbul, TürkiyeOctober–May
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 29
- Per day
- ≈ 1,350 TL
- First stop
- 09:30
Short answer
The TripWalkers Büyükada itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 29 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:
- Day 1 Aya Yorgi and Nakibey
- Day 2 Bike tour and Dil Burnu
- Day 3 Heybeliada
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 3 and 4 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 1,350 TL a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 10:30–18:00
Aya Yorgi and Nakibey
Culture
Aya Yorgi Church
Take the 09:00 ferry from Kabataş, then ride an electric minibus from the pier or walk the 40-minute uphill path to Yücetepe. At the top you'll find the church and views over the Marmara.
FreeFood
Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu
Köfte (grilled meatballs) and gözleme (stuffed flatbread) with a view, just below Aya Yorgi.
≈ 600 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Nakibey Beach
Closed in winter; walk the coastal road instead.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Lunapark Square
A pine-shaded square in the middle of the island and the starting point for bike tours.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Ali Baba Restaurant Büyükada
A long-established fish restaurant by the pier, serving meze and fish. In winter the enclosed section is heated.
≈ 900 TL per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Milto Restaurant BüyükadaFish across from the pier.
- Eskibağ BeachA pine-shaded beach on the west of the island, an alternative to Nakibey.
Day 2 · 10:00–16:30
Bike tour and Dil Burnu
Nature
Büyükada Bike Rental
Rent a bike behind the pier (about 300 TL/day); the big loop is 12 km.
≈ 300 TL per personNature
Büyükada Grand Tour Road
A paved road around the island, with pine forest and coves.
FreeNature
Dil Burnu
A nature park for winter walks and views.
FreeFood
Kalpazankaya Restaurant Büyükada
Fish and meze by the sea at Kalpazankaya; the sunset here is famous.
≈ 700 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Çankaya Avenue Mansions
Greek mansions and the John Pasha Mansion: wooden architecture.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Kalpazankaya BeachA rocky beach, an alternative to Dil Burnu.
- Lokmacı Square BüyükadaHot lokma (syrup-soaked dough fritters) in the square.
Day 3 · 10:30–16:00Day trip
Heybeliada
Culture
Halki Seminary
A Greek Orthodox school founded on the hilltop in 1844. Enjoy the garden and views; visits are guided.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Çam Limanı
A winter walk with views over the bay.
FreeFood
Heybeliada Meydan Balıkçısı
Fish at the Heybeliada pier.
≈ 700 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Naval High School Shore
The coastal road and Aya Triada; take the ferry back.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Heybeliada LokantasıHome-style cooking.
- Değirmen TepesiThe island's summit, with views.
Day 4 · 10:30–16:00Day trip
Burgazada and Kınalıada
Culture
Sait Faik Museum
The writer's house, and the literary heart of the island.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Kalpazankaya Burgazada
A walk around the cove.
FreeFood
Kalpazankaya Restaurant Burgazada
Fish and meze on the cove.
≈ 700 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Kınalıada Beach
The smallest island, with red earth and a seaside walk; you change ferries here.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Burgazada Meydan KahvaltıcısıBreakfast.
- Aya Yani ChurchThe church on the square, an alternative to the cove.
Day 5 · 10:00–16:30
Büyükada mansions and museum
Culture
Princes' Islands Museum
The history of the islands at Aya Nikola, including their Greek, Armenian and Jewish heritage.
≈ 50 TL per personCulture
Hamidiye Mosque
The mosque of Abdulhamid II, near the pier.
FreeLandmark
Prinkipo Greek Orphanage
The largest wooden building in Europe (seen from outside); walk through the forest.
FreeFood
Prinkipo Breakfast
Island breakfast on the square.
≈ 450 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Phaeton Square
The old phaeton (horse carriage) square, now with an electric vehicle stop and coffee.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Ice Cream Shop on the SquareIsland ice cream; a light lunch.
- Aya Dimitri ChurchA Greek church, an alternative to the mosque.
Day 6 · 11:00–16:30
Sedef Island and boat trip
Nature
Sedef Island
Boats are infrequent in winter; do the Dil Burnu walk on Büyükada instead.
FreeFood
Sedef Island Beach Restaurant
Lunch on Büyükada's main square.
≈ 600 TL per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Aya Nikola Shore
The island's east coast, with rocks and a spot to be before sunset.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- By Şükrü Restaurant BüyükadaA fish restaurant on Gülistan Avenue.
- Public Beach BüyükadaA free beach, an alternative to Sedef.
Day 7 · 09:30–12:15
The square: a light farewell
Landmark
Büyükada Pier Square
The clock tower and square, quiet in the morning.
FreeFood
Pastry Shop Büyükada
An island pastry shop for breakfast and ice cream.
≈ 300 TL per personLandmark
Plane Tree Square Büyükada
A last stroll, then take the 12:30 ferry back to Kabataş.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Pier Tea Garden BüyükadaTea and simit (sesame bread ring) at the pier: a farewell.
- Gülistan AvenueA street of fish restaurants by the shore.
Good to know: 6 things that make a Büyükada trip easier
- Ferries (Istanbulkart) leave from Kabataş and Bostancı every 30 minutes in summer and hourly in winter; the last ferry is around 20:00.
- There are no cars on the island: use an electric minibus, a bike or your feet. The Aya Yorgi climb takes 40 minutes; an electric vehicle costs 100 TL.
- The islands are quiet in winter: the fish restaurants on Gülistan Avenue are heated and the beaches are closed. Istanbul residents come at weekends.
- Try hot lokma, island ice cream and fish with meze; the restaurants on Gülistan Avenue don't need reservations.
- ATMs are scarce on the islands, so bring cash.
- Ferries between the islands take 15 minutes.
Spending: ≈ 9,300 TL per person for 7 days
- Food7,200 TL
- Entry and tours400 TL
- Local transport1,200 TL
- Other500 TL
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
We did the planning. You just pick the dates.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Büyükada?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 3 and 4; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in Büyükada cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 1,350 TL per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in Büyükada?
The first stop is at 09:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.