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7 places to visit in the Adalar district of Istanbul: Büyükada, Burgazada and Sedef Island. Plan your trip to Adalar with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Adalar is a district on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the north-eastern part of the Sea of Marmara. Covering 11 km², Adalar is the least populous district in the province. The district centre averages 6 metres above sea level.

Geography

The Adalar consist of 9 islands of varying sizes and two rocks close to the shore. Five of them are inhabited. Sivriada, Yassıada, Kaşık Island and Tavşan Island have no regular settlement. The district centre is Büyükada, and the district has 5 neighbourhoods.

Climate and Vegetation

There are no streams or lakes on the Adalar.

History and Culture

The Adalar Museum fully opened on 10 September 2010. The islands have been known by different names throughout history. In the Byzantine period, the islands were used as a place of exile for nobles and emperors.

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Places to Visit in Adalar

  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Museum
  • 1 Beach
  • 3 Other
Büyükada - Adalar Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
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Büyükada

The centre of Adalar district and one of the largest of the islands. It has four hills: Yüce 203 m, İsa 163 m, Tepeköy 150 m and Avcı 145 m.

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Burgazada

One of the five inhabited Princes' Islands. It has Bayrak Hill, a 170 m hill.

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Sedef Island

One of the five inhabited Princes' Islands. It has a 55 m hill.

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Museum

Adalar Museum

Designed as a city museum, offering visitors a different way to experience the Princes' Islands.

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Beach

Yörükali ve Nizam Plajları

Beaches on Büyükada, beside Dilburnu.

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Religious

Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery

A church and monastery on the highest hill of Büyükada.

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Religious

Hamidiye Mosque

Commissioned by Abdülhamid II, the most architecturally striking of the mosques on Büyükada.

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Places to Visit Around Istanbul Province

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While you are in Adalar, you can also see the highlights of Istanbul province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque) — Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537, this was the largest cathedral in the world for about a thousand years; it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1934, and reopened for worship as a mosque in 2020. With its dome 55 metres high and its Byzantine mosaics, it is one of the turning points in the history of architecture.
  • Topkapı Palace — Built by Mehmed the Conqueror at Sarayburnu in the 1460s, the palace was the seat of government and residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years; with its Harem, Treasury, Holy Relics and courtyards, it is now a museum.
  • Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) — A six-minaret mosque built for Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa; it is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 İznik tiles decorating its interior.
  • Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — A vast underground cistern built in the 6th century under Justinian and carried on 336 columns; the Medusa heads under two of the columns are its most famous corner.
  • Süleymaniye Mosque — Built by Mimar Sinan for Suleiman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the mosque stands at the centre of a large complex with madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen and tombs; its silhouette on the hill overlooking the Golden Horn is one of the symbols of the city.
  • Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, made up of more than 60 streets and thousands of shops that grew up around the bedestens built under Mehmed the Conqueror; carpets, jewellery, copperware and leather goods are sold.

Practical Information for Visiting Adalar

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer (April-September)
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Adalar

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  • Ada Balığı (fresh island fish)

    Fresh fish caught around the islands, served grilled or steamed in seaside restaurants. Fish from the clean waters of the Sea of Marmara are especially tasty.

  • Ada Dondurmacısı (island ice cream)

    Büyükada's famous ice cream parlours, with mastic, drop-mastic and fruit flavours, form long queues in the summer months.

  • Midye Dolma (stuffed mussels)

    Sold at seafront stalls on the Adalar, stuffed mussels are filled with spiced rice and served with lemon.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Adalar

  • Motorsuz Ada Yaşamı

    Motor vehicles are banned on the Adalar. Life here, relying on bicycles, electric vehicles and walking, offers a completely different experience from Istanbul's chaotic traffic.

  • Çok Kültürlü Miras

    Under the Ottomans, the Adalar were a cosmopolitan settlement where Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Levantine communities lived. Churches, synagogues and historic mansions reflect this heritage.

Local Products

  • Ada Çamı Reçeli (stone pine cone jam) — A jam made from young pine cones gathered in the pine forests of the Adalar, a local speciality.

Economy

The economy of the Adalar relies largely on tourism. On summer days the number of visitors reaches tens of thousands. Fishing and small-scale trade are also sources of income.

How to Get to Adalar

The Adalar are reached by ferry and sea bus from Kabataş, Kadıköy and Bostancı piers. The ferry from Kabataş to Büyükada takes about 1.5 hours.

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Adalar: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Adalar?

The highlights of Adalar are 7 places: Büyükada, Burgazada, Sedef Island, Adalar Museum, Yörükali and Nizam Beaches, Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery, and Hamidiye Mosque.

What to eat in Adalar?

Ada Balığı, Ada Dondurmacısı and Midye Dolma are the standout flavours on Adalar tables.

What is Adalar famous for?

Adalar is known for Ada Çamı Reçeli and its car-free island life. Ada Çamı Reçeli is a local speciality made from young pine cones gathered in the island pine forests.

How do I get to Adalar?

The Adalar are reached by ferry and sea bus from Kabataş, Kadıköy and Bostancı piers. The ferry from Kabataş to Büyükada takes about 1.5 hours.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Adalar?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (April-September).

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