Princes' Islands travel guide

The Princes' Islands (Turkish: Kızıl Adalar (Red Islands) or more commonly Adalar (Islands) as they are officially named; classical Greek: Prinkēpōn nēsoi, modern Greek: Prinkiponisia,), are a chain of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, in the Sea of Marmara. These islands are Büyükada (Greek: Prinkipo, "Πρίγκηπος" meaning "Prince") with an area of 5.36 km², Heybeliada (Greek: Halki) with an area of 2.4 km², Burgazada (Greek: Antigoni) with an area of 1.5 km², Kınalıada (Greek: Proti, Πρώτη, meaning "The First", being the closest island to Istanbul) with an area of 1.3 km², Sedef Adası (Greek: Terebinthos) with an area of 0.157 km², Yassıada (Greek: Plati) with an area of 0.05km², Sivriada (Greek: Okseia) with an area of 0.05km², Kaşıkadası (spoon island, named for its shape) with an area of 0.006 km², and Tavşanadası with an area of 0.004 km².
During the summer months the Princes’ Islands are popular destinations for day trips from Istanbul. As there is no traffic on the Islands, the only transport being horse and cart, they are incredibly peaceful compared with the city of Istanbul. They are just a short ferry ride from both the Asian (at Bostancı and also Kartal) and European sides (from Sirkeci/Eminönü, Kabataş and Yenikapı) of Istanbul. Most ferries call in turn at the four largest of the nine islands: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and finally Büyükada. Ferry services are provided by http://www.ido.com.tr Istanbul Seabuses (İDO), a firm operated by the municipality of Istanbul. In spring and autumn the islands are quieter and more pleasant, although the sea can be rough in late autumn and winter. (...)