Heybeliada, right next to Istanbul, has a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by pine forests.. The ideal time to explore Heybeliada, which is the second largest island of the Prince Islands after Büyükada, is spring and summer.. We took the opportunity of the weekend break and turned our route to Heybeliada.. We stayed one night and had the opportunity to travel all over the island.. It was so nice to feel as if you had gone on holiday to the Aegean, even for two days…. If you are ready, let our journey to Heybeliada begin…
Places to Visit in Heybeliada
The previous name of Heybeliada was “Halki” which means copper in Greek. In ancient times, there were copper mines on the island.. Heybeliada was named later because it resembles a saddlebag from a distance.. My advice to you is to wear a comfortable pair of sneakers, because I think walking is the best way to explore the island.. We walked 22 kilometers in total in two days and traveled around the island from beginning to end.
Before moving on to the list of places to visit in Heybeliada, just like in Büyükada, the Grand Tour Road I would like to point out that there are two different itineraries as > and Small Tour Road. If you follow Heybeliada Grand Tour Road, starting from Iskele Street, Değirmenburnu Nature Park, Heybeliada Seminary, Refah Şehitleri Caddesi, Abandonment -i Dunya Monastery, Heybeliada Sanatorium, you visit all the sights of the island.
Heybeliada Küçük Tour Road starting from İskele Street, Lausanne Zaferi Street, Refah Şehitleri Street, A route following the Lovers’ Way. Those who do not have much time or do not like to walk can prefer the Little Tour Road.. If you wish, you can also rent a bicycle and discover the beauties of Heybeliada, but cycling on the slopes can be challenging.
Excursion to Heybeliada: Refah Şehitleri Caddesi
How about starting your trip with one of the most beautiful streets of Heybeliada? Surrounded by historical mansions and houses on both sides, Refah Şehitleri Caddesi is a few minutes’ walk from the ferry port.. Do not forget to take your camera with you, beautiful structures are waiting for you on the street.
Inonu House Museum
Inonu House Museum, which you can visit on Refah Şehitleri Caddesi, is the period when İsmet İnönü and his family lived in Heybeliada. reflects your traces. Mavromatakis Mansion in Heybeliada was rented and later bought, after the doctors suggested that he rest due to an illness.. The furniture of the house was given as a gift to the İnönü family by Atatürk.. The faces of the items you can see while visiting the mansion have been renovated, all from the 1930s.
If you want to take a short nostalgia trip on your Heybeliada tour, you can visit the İnönü House Museum for free.. İnönü House Museum is open between 10:00 and 17:00 except Mondays.
Halki Palas
The Halki Palas, named after Halki, the Byzantine name of Heybeliada, was once the most famous hotel on the island.. Halki Palas, which is also one of the oldest hotels in Istanbul, was closed in 2016.. Halki Palas, which was built in 1989 but completely destroyed in 1991 due to fire, was rebuilt and became the most magnificent hotel of that period.. Even though its door is locked today, you can photograph it from the outside while walking on Refah Şehitleri Caddesi.
Abandoned Dunya Monastery
Terk-i Dunya Monastery, hidden among pine forests, is the place where monks who want to cut off their connection with the world go into seclusion. known as the place. It is known as the Abandoned World Monastery because it is a place of worship for the clergy who have withdrawn from the world.. To reach Terk-i Dunya Monastery, you need to follow the Grand Tour route.. You will come across Refah Şehitleri Caddesi after passing the German Bay.
BONUS: If you go down the dirt road right next to the Abandoned World Monastery, a magnificent view awaits you.. You can take a breather among the greenery and enjoy the sea view.
Places to Visit in Heybeliada: Çam Harbor
We are in one of the most special places on the list of places to visit in Heybeliada.. Çam Harbor, where you can experience the feeling of being in the Aegean to the fullest, is one of the frequent destinations of boats in the summer months.. With the advantage of being in the middle of April, we had the opportunity to catch the calmest state of the sheep.. The atmosphere was so peaceful that it was as if we were teleported to Datça.
There is also a small business in Çam Harbor bay; Sandal Cafe. You can eat and drink here. Alcohol is also available. If you wish, you can bring your own food and drink and enjoy by the sea.. It is also possible to swim in Çam Harbor in summer months.. Since it is located in the south of the island, it gets less wind, so the sea is smooth.
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Pine Harbor is located just ahead of Abandoned Dunya Monastery. It is possible to reach it with a 25-30 minute walk, whether by following the Grand Tour route or by following the road on the Sea High School side from the ferry port.
As you know, public transportation in the Islands is now provided by electric vehicles.. If you want to get on the electric minibus from İskele and get off at Çam Port, the fare is 27 TL, and an electric taxi is 100 TL.
Heybeliada Sanatorium
Those who watched the Butterfly’s Dream movie will remember Heybeliada Sanatorium.. Health institutions established to cure those who have diseases that require long-term treatment, especially tuberculosis, are called sanatoriums.. Heybeliada Sanatorium located in Çam Harbor has been closed to service and visit for a long time.. You can only see it from the outside.
Heybeliada Seminary (Aya Triada Monastery)
One of the places that must be on your list of places to visit in Heybeliada is the Heybeliada Seminary, which was closed to education 51 years ago.. 9. Aya Triada Monastery Patriarch 4 built in the 16th century. It started to serve as Heybeliada Seminary in 1844 by Germanos.. Heybeliada Seminary, which is the first school at the academy level for Orthodox people, has been closed to education since 1971.
Can Heybeliada Seminary be visited?
The most curious thing One of the questions asked was the visit information of Heybeliada Seminary.. Even though it is closed for education, Heybeliada Seminary can be visited at certain hours and the entrance is free.
You have to have your TR ID number written on the door attendant along with your name and surname at the entrance.. Only the classrooms on the ground floor of the Seminary are open to visitors.. In order to visit the library section, it was necessary to send an e-mail to the abbot and get permission.
While visiting the school, it is impossible not to be fascinated by the beauty of the building.. While visiting the classrooms with chalkboards and desks, I went on a nostalgia journey back to my student years.. Atatürk’s photo and the National Anthem still hang on the wall.
After visiting the classrooms of Heybeliada Seminary, be sure to tour its garden.. Green areas arranged according to Italian, French, English and Spanish Garden designs attract attention.. In the back, there is a section where poultry live.. I saw the white peacock here for the first time in my life, and it was spread its wings.
Heybeliada Seminary is located on Ümit Hill. If you want to come here directly from the pier, a 20-minute walk from Refah Şehitleri Caddesi is waiting for you.. I would like to remind you that you need to climb up a little bit.
Heybeliada Seminary Visit Information: You can visit Heybeliada Seminary on Sunday between 09.30-16.00 from Monday to Saturday. You can visit it free of charge on days between 09.30-12.00.
Aya Nikola Church
It is located in the back street of Iskele Caddesi. St. Nicholas Church, which draws attention with its area and red color, was founded in 1857 on the ruins of the Byzantine church dedicated to St. Nicholas, the protector of the seas.. When we went early Sunday morning, there were ritual preparations inside, so we didn’t want to disturb you.. There is already an article at the entrance saying, “This is a place of worship, not a museum.”
Haybeli Sahaf
Would you like to get lost among the smells of books? Heybeli Sahaf, the first and only bookstore of the islands, is located on Lausanne Şehitleri Street.. It is difficult to understand how you pass the time while visiting inside, there are such beautiful books… It is not just a book, moreover; Magazines, postcards, records and old coins are also among the things you can find at Heybeli Sahaf.. I would say don’t leave the island without visiting Heybeli Sahaf, which is located on the ground floor of a historical mansion.
Değirmenburnu Recreation Area
Değirmenburnu where you can spend time with lush trees on one side, islands and sea views on the other. One of the places worth seeing in Heybeliada.
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We got up early on Sunday and bought our bagels and pastries from the patisserie, and filled our thermos with hot water.. We reached Değirmenburu after a 20-minute walk from the beach.. This is also one of the most preferred walking paths of the island residents.. It has a magnificent view because it is covered with dense forests.
Entrance fee to Değirmenburnu Recreation Area is 12 TL per person.. (April 2022) You can either take your food and drink with you, have a picnic, or rent a barbecue.. There are also playgrounds for children.. There is also a country restaurant right next door.. If you want to swim in the summer months, Değirmenburnu Beach is also located here.
Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar House
The Islands have inspired many writers and poets from the past to the present.. Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar, one of the important names of Turkish literature, also spent most of his life in his house in Heybeliada.. Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar’s house, which was transferred to the General Directorate of Foundations in 2017, has been turned into a museum.. However, it has been closed for a long time due to restoration. You can only see it from the outside, but I would like to remind you that the house is on the hill.
Where to Stay in Heybeliada?
Accommodation options in Heybeliada Although not as rich as Büyükada, it is possible to find a place suitable for every budget.. We wanted to explore Heybeliada, which we had always visited on a daily basis in our previous visits, by staying one night this time.. Thus, we had the chance to see parts of the island that we had never known before.. It is located in the back street of the fish restaurants, very close to the ferry port in terms of location.
Our room was on the top floor, overlooking the Heybeliada houses and lush trees.. It was big enough for two people and it was clean, the bathroom was new. There was also a TV in the room.. Only ceiling caught my attention, it needed painting. We paid 350 TL per night for two people to Thessaloniki Pension. In general, I can say that I am satisfied, it is a safe hostel.
If you do not seek luxury and comfort, if you do not want to exceed your budget, you can choose Thessaloniki Pension.. You can check out the accommodation options in Heybeliada here.
How to Get to Heybeliada?
You can reach Heybeliada from both the European side and the Anatolian side by City Lines and motorboats.. If you want to go to Heybeliada from the European side, you can take the ferries departing from Eminönü, Kabataş and Beşiktaş.. There are ferry services from the Anatolian side to Heybeliada from Kadıköy, Bostancı and Kartal.
One hour by ferry from Eminönü to Heybeliada. , Kabataş Heybeliada takes 1 hour 15 minutes, and Beşiktaş Heybeliada takes 1.30 hours.. Kadıköy Heybeliada takes 1 hour, Bostancı Heybeliada takes 50 minutes, and Kartal Heybeliada takes 35 minutes by ferry.
Transportation Fee to the Islands 2022
If you want to go to the Islands from Istanbul, City Lines takes one way. full fee 21.90 TL, student 10.95 TL. On City Lines, only akbil is valid and prices are one way ticket. The cost of going to the Islands with Turyol, Dentur, Mavi Marmara, and Prens Tur engines is one way full ticket is 32 TL, student 26 TL. You can get on by buying a ticket at the box office.
For City Lines Kabataş-Adalar ferry times, click.
For City Lines Bostancı-Adalar ferry times, click strong>.
If you’re planning the islands, I suggest you take a look at my articles below:
- Places to Visit on Büyükada
- Buyukada Food and Drink Notes
- Buyukada Accommodation Recommendation