I BET you’ve heard of Istanbul – but did you know a short boat ride from the city there is a hidden gem island?
Meaning ‘Big Island’ in Turkish, Büyükada is the largest of the three Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara, which is near Istanbul.
Despite being the largest, the island itself only spans two-square-miles.
And from Istanbul, you can hop on a ferry (there are two different companies that head there) with tickets ranging from £2.50 to £3.20 per way and taking between 45 minutes and an hour and a half to get there.
Tie in your visit to Buyukada, with the other two islands – Heybeliada and Burgazada – before heading back to Istanbul.
As for what to see and do on Buyukada, until recently the only public transport on the island were horse-drawn carriages.
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But now, thanks to the island becoming more popular with tourists, you can hop on a number of electric buses – with no cars allowed on the island.
At the north end of the island, you can expect to see streets lined with 19th century, wooden villas.
Famous ones in particular include the Con Paşa Mansion, which was built by a Venetian merchant and Mizzi Mansion, which boasts a red brick tower.
Make sure to stop by the Nizam neighbourhood too, where you’ll find more Ottoman era villas including white buildings draped in vibrant, purple flowers.
The area isn’t too big, but do make sure you head down Cankaya Caddesi which is often named the most beautiful street in Turkey.
History fanatics should also drop by Trotsky House, which is where Leon Trotsky lived in exile between 1929 and 1933.
On the other hand, the southern end of the island is mostly home to great walking and hiking routes, thanks to being home to the Büyükada Ecotourism Area.
You’ll find Mediterranean pine forests and the island’s highest peaks to explore.
You’ll also find Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, which is the largest wooden building in Europe and the second largest in the world.
The island is home to some beautiful beaches as well, including Aya Nicola Beach.
For around £6.40, you can hire a lounge chair with an umbrella and also access showers and changing rooms, making it the ideal spot for a beach day.
Alternatively, you could head to Viranbağ Plajı, which also boasts a restaurant.
While you do have to pay an entry fee to the beach (which usually is a few quid), it is often less crowded than other spots on the island.
A popular way to explore the entire island is by hiring a bike – and thanks to its size, it only takes a couple of hours to cycle around.
The best way to get to the island is by flying to Istanbul and then taking a short and scenic ferry ride across to the island itself.
Flights to Istanbul cost from £108 per way in July.
And if you want to extend your time on the island, you can stay in one of the hotels or guesthouses.
For example, there’s Hillora Hotel Buyukada, which has views, a sauna, a sun terrace and a garden.
Plus it is just a six-minute walk from the beach.
The hotel costs from £149 per night.
For something more historical but also cheaper, head to Büyükada Anastasia Meziki History Mansion, which has its own restaurant, bar, terrace, patio and mountain views.
The hotel even has a hot tub to relax in.
Rooms at the hotel cost from £86 per night.