Kivanc's Guidebook
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When you get to the church, then you can light a candle and make a wish. The original name is the Agios Georgios Greek Orthodox Monastery and was built for St. George in 1751. There are two days in the year when the church is full – April 23rd and September 24th with people from all walks of life who come here to make wishes.
The most valuable thing in this church is the Saint George icon, which has a story. According to popular belief, during the Byzantine period, priests of the church buried the icon and other sacred relics so they wouldn’t be destroyed while during times of occupation. Years later, Aya Yorgi began dreaming of a shepherd. The shepherd told him to dig, and so he listened to this prophecy and found the icons buried under the church.
This church is considered as an important pilgrimage place for Christians – similar to the Virgin Mary’s House near Ephesus – on April 23 to celebrate the coming of spring and on September 24 to commemorate Saint Thekla. They go up the church without wearing shoes or speaking, and they tie pieces of cloth to the branches of trees and make wishes as they go up to the church. When they get to the church, they get a key or a bell from the church. If you want your wish to come true, then you have to bring back the key or the bell for the church. But let’s warn you ahead of time that the island is insanely crowded during these two days. If you want to visit the church as a tourist, then definitely don’t come during these two days. Of course, it’s a different story if you come here to experience those religious days.
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Aya Yorgi Kerk
When you get to the church, then you can light a candle and make a wish. The original name is the Agios Georgios Greek Orthodox Monastery and was built for St. George in 1751. There are two days in the year when the church is full – April 23rd and September 24th with people from all walks of life who come here to make wishes.
The most valuable thing in this church is the Saint George icon, which has a story. According to popular belief, during the Byzantine period, priests of the church buried the icon and other sacred relics so they wouldn’t be destroyed while during times of occupation. Years later, Aya Yorgi began dreaming of a shepherd. The shepherd told him to dig, and so he listened to this prophecy and found the icons buried under the church.
This church is considered as an important pilgrimage place for Christians – similar to the Virgin Mary’s House near Ephesus – on April 23 to celebrate the coming of spring and on September 24 to commemorate Saint Thekla. They go up the church without wearing shoes or speaking, and they tie pieces of cloth to the branches of trees and make wishes as they go up to the church. When they get to the church, they get a key or a bell from the church. If you want your wish to come true, then you have to bring back the key or the bell for the church. But let’s warn you ahead of time that the island is insanely crowded during these two days. If you want to visit the church as a tourist, then definitely don’t come during these two days. Of course, it’s a different story if you come here to experience those religious days.
You should stop by a visit. As soon as you walk into the lobby, you’ll be transported back to the 1920s with its grand piano, red curtains, and an elegant lobby full of art. The hotel, which has been passed down six generations, is a serious historical artifact.
The hotel was built in 1908 by Kazim Pasha after he retired from the Ottoman army to recreate European hospitality. Even though it has some French influences, it also has eastern influences in its architecture like its domes. Although the hotel was not open for customers, Atatürk liked to come here when he was in Büyükada to have dinner.
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Splendid Palace Hotel in Buyukada
No: 39 Yirmiüç Nisan Cd.You should stop by a visit. As soon as you walk into the lobby, you’ll be transported back to the 1920s with its grand piano, red curtains, and an elegant lobby full of art. The hotel, which has been passed down six generations, is a serious historical artifact.
The hotel was built in 1908 by Kazim Pasha after he retired from the Ottoman army to recreate European hospitality. Even though it has some French influences, it also has eastern influences in its architecture like its domes. Although the hotel was not open for customers, Atatürk liked to come here when he was in Büyükada to have dinner.
Relegated to an isolated site next to Aya Nikola Beach on the southeastern side of the island, this excellent museum is often overlooked by visitors but we highly recommend making the effort to get here. Multimedia exhibits focus on the history and culture of the Adalar and cover every aspect of island life, including geology, flora, religious heritage, food, architecture, music, festivals and literature. Interpretative panels and videos are in both Turkish and English, and there are objects galore to admire.
Hours:9am-5.30pm Tue-Sun
Relegated to an isolated site next to Aya Nikola Beach on the southeastern side of the island, this excellent museum is often overlooked by visitors but we highly recommend making the effort to get here. Multimedia exhibits focus on the history and culture of the Adalar and cover every aspect of island life, including geology, flora, religious heritage, food, architecture, music, festivals and literature. Interpretative panels and videos are in both Turkish and English, and there are objects galore to admire.
To get here from the iskele (dock), head towards the clock tower and then straight ahead before turning left into Çınar Caddesi, right at the first fork into Alparslan Caddesi and then right at the second fork into Malül Gazi Caddesi and onto Yılmaz Türk Caddesi. The museum is located next to the Yıldırımspor Kulübü Deneği sports club. It's a pleasant 3km walk or a ₺30 fayton ride.
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Islands Museum / Museum of the Princes' Islands
Relegated to an isolated site next to Aya Nikola Beach on the southeastern side of the island, this excellent museum is often overlooked by visitors but we highly recommend making the effort to get here. Multimedia exhibits focus on the history and culture of the Adalar and cover every aspect of island life, including geology, flora, religious heritage, food, architecture, music, festivals and literature. Interpretative panels and videos are in both Turkish and English, and there are objects galore to admire.
Hours:9am-5.30pm Tue-Sun
Relegated to an isolated site next to Aya Nikola Beach on the southeastern side of the island, this excellent museum is often overlooked by visitors but we highly recommend making the effort to get here. Multimedia exhibits focus on the history and culture of the Adalar and cover every aspect of island life, including geology, flora, religious heritage, food, architecture, music, festivals and literature. Interpretative panels and videos are in both Turkish and English, and there are objects galore to admire.
To get here from the iskele (dock), head towards the clock tower and then straight ahead before turning left into Çınar Caddesi, right at the first fork into Alparslan Caddesi and then right at the second fork into Malül Gazi Caddesi and onto Yılmaz Türk Caddesi. The museum is located next to the Yıldırımspor Kulübü Deneği sports club. It's a pleasant 3km walk or a ₺30 fayton ride.
Yemek ortamı
Operated by local character Fıstık Ahmet, this long-standing meyhane near the port is known for its lavish pourings of alcohol (it's not the type of place that will appeal to teetotallers). Bookings essential during summer, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when there is live music. Ask for a table in the garden.
Prinkipo Meyhanesi
No:11 Gülistan Cd.Operated by local character Fıstık Ahmet, this long-standing meyhane near the port is known for its lavish pourings of alcohol (it's not the type of place that will appeal to teetotallers). Bookings essential during summer, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when there is live music. Ask for a table in the garden.
Overlooking Büyükada's longest beach, Teras is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner (if coming for dinner arrive before sunset to take advantage of the wonderful view). The quality of the breakfast dishes leaves a lot to be desired, so we suggest opting for mezes and grilled seafood at lunch or dinner instead. Bookings advisable.
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Eskibağ Restaurant
AdalarOverlooking Büyükada's longest beach, Teras is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner (if coming for dinner arrive before sunset to take advantage of the wonderful view). The quality of the breakfast dishes leaves a lot to be desired, so we suggest opting for mezes and grilled seafood at lunch or dinner instead. Bookings advisable.
This simple place has benches and chairs on a terrace overlooking the sea and İstanbul. Dishes are simple but good – the köfte (meatballs) and börek (baked savoury pastries) are particularly tasty. You can also enjoy a beer, glass of wine or tea here. Find it at the very top of the hill where the Monastery of St George is located.
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Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu
This simple place has benches and chairs on a terrace overlooking the sea and İstanbul. Dishes are simple but good – the köfte (meatballs) and börek (baked savoury pastries) are particularly tasty. You can also enjoy a beer, glass of wine or tea here. Find it at the very top of the hill where the Monastery of St George is located.
Depending on how hungry you are, you can embark on your bike-sightseeing tour before or after breakfast, but when you do get hungry, make sure to drop by this wonderful cafe. Run by a husband and wife duo, Sinek Cafe is a little modern haunt that serves up excellent Turkish breakfast dishes, such as eggs with sucuk (Turkish fermented sausage). Behind the cafe, the couple’s beautiful modernist house also stands out with its glass exterior and beautiful garden – it’s probably one of the most beautiful houses on the island with a modern aesthetic.
Bahcede Sinek Cafe
No:110 Yılmaz Türk Cd.Depending on how hungry you are, you can embark on your bike-sightseeing tour before or after breakfast, but when you do get hungry, make sure to drop by this wonderful cafe. Run by a husband and wife duo, Sinek Cafe is a little modern haunt that serves up excellent Turkish breakfast dishes, such as eggs with sucuk (Turkish fermented sausage). Behind the cafe, the couple’s beautiful modernist house also stands out with its glass exterior and beautiful garden – it’s probably one of the most beautiful houses on the island with a modern aesthetic.
This is a great traveler’s tip we have for you: Sedef Island is a paradise that is little known to tourists and locals alike. The island is just composed of a couple of places to swim and a couple of restaurants. The best thing to do here is to go swimming during the day and to have a meal at Elio Sedef Restaurant.
As we said, there aren’t that many places to choose from. One is Elio Sedef Restaurant that owns that beach in front of it, and the other is Club Ada Sedef, which also provides services for the beach. There is also a public beach where you’d have to pay to get in, but we don’t recommend it. If you’ve come all this way and are going to spend money, then it should be at Elio Sedef Restaurant or Club Ada Sedef.
There isn’t frequent transportation to Sedef Island, but you can find boats that leave from Büyükada that provide transportation for Elio and Club Ada customers. The other option is that if you’re with a group of people, then you have the option of renting a boat or taking a sea taxi.
Sedef Island
This is a great traveler’s tip we have for you: Sedef Island is a paradise that is little known to tourists and locals alike. The island is just composed of a couple of places to swim and a couple of restaurants. The best thing to do here is to go swimming during the day and to have a meal at Elio Sedef Restaurant.
As we said, there aren’t that many places to choose from. One is Elio Sedef Restaurant that owns that beach in front of it, and the other is Club Ada Sedef, which also provides services for the beach. There is also a public beach where you’d have to pay to get in, but we don’t recommend it. If you’ve come all this way and are going to spend money, then it should be at Elio Sedef Restaurant or Club Ada Sedef.
There isn’t frequent transportation to Sedef Island, but you can find boats that leave from Büyükada that provide transportation for Elio and Club Ada customers. The other option is that if you’re with a group of people, then you have the option of renting a boat or taking a sea taxi.