"The big island" Top 5 Page for this destination Buyukada by BlueLlama

Buyukada Travel Guide: 73 reviews and 170 photos

Town centre by night

Buyukada is the last of the Prince's Islands (Adalar) that the ferry from Istanbul visits, and the one most visitors stop off at. Having missed the early ferry, I ended up seeing this and one other island, Heybeliada, and while I can't speak for the rest, Buyukada is well worth the trip.

Visiting in the off-season, the place was a world away from Istanbul, bustling with people from all over the world even in cold November. The sun seems to shine a little more here, and there are opportunities to walk up the wooded hills and get spectacular views down over the other side of the island to the sea. There is a monastery according to all the guides but despite the seemingly straightforward route we managed to get lost. Still, you can't really go wrong on Buyukada - it's a great place for walking.

The cats of Buyukada

Buyukada may as well be known as Kediyada (please correct my Turkish - I'm attempting to say Cat Island!)... I have never seen so many strays in one place. It's quite a sight.

Fortunately, the cats of Buyukada seem to be well cared for by the inhabitants of the island and are healthy and clean. Unfortunately, it is hard to wrench yourself away as they follow you down the streets, mewing to be taken home with you!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Scenic landscape and intriguing old wooden mansions
Cons:Getting ripped off at a restaurant!
In a nutshell:More cats than you can shake a stick at

Last visit to Buyukada: Nov 2007
Intro Updated Mar 15, 2008
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (3)

Buyukada's Armenian Catholic church - Buyukada

Armenian culture - Catholic Church Things to Do (1)

The Adalar are well-known as parts of Istanbul that continue to preserve a mix of cultures that has sadly gone from the... more travel advice

Buyukada's seafood restaurants by night - Buyukada

Restaurants - be aware of potential rip... Warnings and Dangers (1)

Before we even arrived on Buyukada, we'd been hassled by someone on the mainland who wanted us to visit his restaurant.... more travel advice

And now, time for the hot mezze - Buyukada

Seafood and mezze by the landing point Restaurants (1)

There is a line of seafood restaurants along the shore of Buyukada, of which Mimosa was one of the first. I have to say... more travel advice

Have you been to Buyukada? Share your travels with the world!

Comments (2)

Reply
- Report abuse
mindcrime Jul 30, 2008 at 10:51 AM

Hi Bee! I visited St George monastery, the view was great from up there! As for the cats we visited the other part of the island we saw more than 50 dogs! :)
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Jan 20, 2008 at 6:46 AM

oh dear - what a rip off.