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Island Heybeliada (Heybeli, Heybeli) - the second largest island in the group of Princes (Adalar) Islands after the island of Buyükada (Buyükada) 20 kilometers from Istanbul (Heybeliada Island on the map. It is also the second most popular, although it seems that almost all tourists go straight to Buyukada, and rarely anyone lands here.
Heybeliada is really not oversaturated with tourists, and this is its main advantage. Especially here you will like those who prefer to relax in a calm atmosphere, walk along quiet and very beautiful streets, swim and sunbathe not on crowded beaches.
The island is really very beautiful and well-groomed, its streets seem to have been copied from pictures of European towns. Fruit trees (Tangerines, figs) grow right along the streets, and you can quite calmly tear them off and eat them, if, Of course, there is a ripening season. Also, the roads lead to an unpopulated wooded part. As in the other Prince Islands, Road Transport is prohibited here, and to move you will have to hire a horse-drawn carriage (Phaeton), or rent a bicycle. But even without transport on foot you can get around the main interesting places on the island in a couple of hours, and during the light day you can visit almost every corner.
The center of the island is the promenade next to the pier and the street parallel to it. There are several cafes, a couple of shops and shops, bicycle rental. You can pay for purchases in cash or by plastic card. Here, Local Guides with horse-drawn carts or golf carts meet the arriving tourists for a walk.
Beach holidays on Heybeliada are only on paid beaches. Input from 20 lire (0.44 USD), includes the use of an umbrella and a sunbed. The beaches are sandy, pebbly, or even just a concrete strip for descent into the water.
The tourist season on Heybeliada lasts from May to September, but in April and October it is too cold for swimming, the beaches are closed. From November to March, the resort falls asleep, many restaurants and hotels are closed, so at this time it is better not to go here even for a walk during the day.
Seasons on the island of Heybeliada by month, when it is better to go
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov. | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
* best time to visit;
acceptable time to visit;
not recommended time to visit
Current Istanbul weather and forecast
Sights of Heybeliada island, what to see
- Holy Trinity convent (Aya Triada Monastery) and Halkin theological school (Heybeliada Ruhban Okulu). They are located in one place on a hill in the north of the island. You can freely and free of charge go to the territory, walk, talk with pets, which are kept in the monastery.
- Ancient Greek Orthodox monastery Terki Dünye Kilisesi. It is located on the extreme southern point of the island, an hour's walk from the pier.
- Ancient ruins of the tower. On a hill outside the city are the nameless ruins of a tower. There is no historical information about the tower, but tourists often visit it. Ruins on the map.
- Orthodox Church of St.Aya Nikola Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi. Located in the center near the waterfront and Marina.
In addition to the listed Heybeliada there are several old churches, a couple of small houses-museums of Turkish figures and writers. But all of them at the time of our visit were closed or are located in inaccessible parts of the island.
How to get to Heybeliada island
Heybeliada is 20 kilometers from Istanbul (Heibeliad island on the map). You can get here yourself or with excursions. If you need excursions in Russian, it is better to purchase them on one of these proven sites:
You can only get there yourself by ferries, and most ferries are considered urban transport, and are paid for by a single transport card Istanbul Kart, which is cheaper than one-time tokens or cards. For example, the map shows 5.2 lira (0.11 rub, see Turkish currency and Exchange Rate), for tokens 7 lira (0.15 USD).
Ferries depart from the marinas:
- Kabatas Pier / kabatas on the map
- Marinas Eminenyu and Sirkeci / Eminonu & Sirkeci on the map
- Kadikoy Pier / Kadikoy on the map
- Beşıktaş Pier / beşıktaş on the map
- Karaköy Marina on the map (depart from the small marina Karaköy (Turyol) behind the bridge, not from the main Karaköy). These are the most expensive ferries at 10 lire.
Departure several times a day on schedule. Most often, about every hour, depart from the marinas Eminenyu and Sirkeci / Eminonu & Sirkeci (these marinas are close, between them there is no clear border). The schedule changes often by season and weekends, so it is better to check it on the sites:
Please note that due to bad weather (waves, fog) flights are adjusted, and may be canceled on the way. There are even situations where the last ferries are canceled, and then you may be trapped until the next day. In this case, it remains either to spend the night on the island, or to hire small private boats. Therefore, it is highly discouraged to go to Heybeliada on the last day before departure from Istanbul.
