The Marmara Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 100

Büyükada: the largest of the Princes' Islands

Istanbul in half, and the
Dardanelle Straits - the Sea of
Marmara links the Aegean Sea
with the Black Sea. It is around
11,500 sq. km in size and lies in
the heart of the region, south of
Istanbul. The Sea of Marmara
has several collections of islands,
including the Princes' Islands
(see p. 100), to which ferries run
regularly from Istanbul, and the
Marmara Islands (see p. 99),
famed for their marble, just off
Erdek and Bandirma to the
south. Stop awhile at any of the
towns and cities that nestle
alongside the Sea of Marmara,
an important shipping route,
such as Tekirda g or Yalova (see
p. 96) and see the huge ships on
their way between Europe and
Asia.
The Princes' Islands

them altogether, the largest of
which is Buyuk Ada (Büyükada).
You and your children will love
this island because it's quiet and
safe so playing is unrestricted.
There are sandy beaches, plus
row upon row of pretty, brightly
painted wooden houses to see.
The Art Nouveau style houses
look as though they should be on
a film set. Significantly, no cars
are allowed on Buyuk Ada so
travel is by horse-drawn carriage
only. Take a carriage as soon as
you go ashore to get acquainted
with the island - it's fun, a great
way to see the sights and your
children probably won't let you
leave the quayside without taking
a carriage anyway. The boats
from Istanbul also stop at some
of the other islands. From Sirkeçi
in Istanbul they also go to
Kadikoy, Burgaz Adasi and
Heybeliada before finally arriv-
ing at Buyuk Ada.

★
The Princes' Islands lie a short
hop from the quayside at Sirkeçi
(see p. 57) in Istanbul in the Sea
of Marmara. There are nine of

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