MUST-SEE ISLANDS AROUND ISTANBUL (PRINCESS ISLANDS)+The BAGDAG STREET(CADDE) IN ASIAN SIDE

• INTRODUCTION The biggest island of all the princess islands is called BUYUKADA. And it is the one thats more entertaining and worth seeing than others. You will probably not see many tourists there either, because it is a Turkish thing to do and many tourists think it is harder to get to than it really is. The best time to go is summer, spring and autumn. You could still go to BUYUKADA in winter, however it is more enjoyable if the weather is good. 

• WHEN TO GO: Any date between March-end of october

• BUSIEST DAYS: some time in september and april (Because of Easter) Many people go to the church on top of the island, since it is a very old church, which happens to have a very nice restaurant right next to it. if you are religious, definitely go and light some candles.

• WHAT IS THE ISLAND LIKE? It is an island which has been belonging to greeks, romans, and so many other civilisations for centuries. It has been the home for the most of the minority groups that lived under turkish rule, such as the greeks and jews. You might find the islands biggest population is jew or greek. They usually live on the island in summer, in their summer houses. You will see all the houses are going to be with big and posh gardens, and nice sea views. They are so expensive to buy and lovely to watch. Another suprise about this island Buyukada, is that there are no cars allowed in the whole island. Since it is forbidden by the government, thinking it would destroy the beauty and peacefullness of the island.
  

• The main transport is either going to be buy bike, walking or by taking horse-run cars called (FAYTON). As soon as you come off you boat, head straight up, you will see a clock infront of you, to the left of that clock you will see the horse-run cars (FAYTON). You can take this tour to the top of the island. There is a fixed rate which will be written on a board. Again no card payments ofcourse. Pay by cash. Many turks take this fayton tours to reach the top of the island. However, it is a different experience, but you do not have do it by no means. You can walk to the top instead, but I will say if you are not so strong about your walking skills, taking the tour is a good option, because after eating on top of the island, and having a few beers, you will need to walk back to burn off the nice food. There are two main tours, one is called BUYUKTUR (BIG TOUR), and the other one KUCUKTUR(SMALL TOUR). Take the BUYUKTUR(BIG TOUR), it  will take you to the top from a longer route and most enjoyable.
  

That is a picture of the FAYTON: HORSE DRIVEN CAR

• When you come to the last stop(BIRLIK MEYDANI IN TURKISH), just get off and head upwards from a small road to see the church on the toppest part of the island. That is an easy 30 min walk up. there will also be donkeys that can take you to the top, but i would say it is proven to be more comfortable to walk up than riding a donkey :).
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•  The church is called Aigha Yorgi, it is an old orthodoX church, where many people even the turkish muslims believe to bring your wishes come tru if you walk upwards to the church by bare feet and pray all the way up, and donate some oil to the church. And it is believed if your wishes come tru you have to come again by walking barefoot, and without looking backwards and say your thanks to the god. Personally, many of wishes believed to come true as well. The church also has a well, that comes from a natural spring where you will love drinking, after walking so much. The Best part comes , when you realise there is a open-air restaurant right next to it. This top part of the island is called YUCETEPE. They serve typical turkish food , mostly mezes (Small plates of starters), and grilled turkish kebabs. It is self-service, so dont expect the somelier to appear. It is cheap as well, but however very delicious. You also eat outside, in wooden tables, on the top of the island. Drink turkish beer efes, and you can see the whole city and the sea 360 degrees. Wonderfulll view , and you can also see an old monastery on the island that was closed down years ago on the far ahead. when you finish enjoying the green and blue view, just start heading downwards, and this time do not take the fayton(horse-cars), just head to your right, opposite to the direction you came from, all the streets will take you to the sea, ultimately to the place where you came off the boats. again either take the government run boats (VAPUR), or take the private small boats. But, if you want go to one of the cafes near the boat stations (ISKELE), and drink turkish tea (cay), and play backgammon like the locals. Or even eat at one of the fish restaurants by the sea, which have tables outside.

Here is a photo of some of the views from the top of the island.Another View

• DIRECTIONS: BUYUKADA (Means Big Island) is situtaed in Marmara sea. And it is nearer to get to if you first go to Asian side of Istanbul.
  

1. FROM SULTANAHMET/EMINONU: You have to go near the sea, and go on the governmently run boats. They are called (VAPUR). You have to buy a pass in the shape of a coin outside of the boats. Where the boats are tied are called ISKELE (WHERE BOATS ARE TIED TO). it will not cost much, maybe 2 dollars or 1.5 pound. You can only pay cash. If you are student ask the man in the booth student pass. (STUDENT PASS: OGRENCI). Ask to go to KADIKOY.  From Kadikoy neighbourhood, you can take the boats that take you to the island. 

This is the route of the government run boats(VAPURS). Th island on this photo above is at the bottom opposite to the bostanci neighbourhood.

 

 

The Route to take back  (Go to Bagdad street)

WHERE ARE WE GOING ON OUR WAY BACK? We are going to go to the bagdad street after finishing our day in the island. You should by latest get to the main land back around 6 the latest in the night. Since there are not many things to do or see at night in the island. Take boat From the island that will take you to the BOSTANci. It is a neigbourhood called bostanci, which is opposite to the island, and it is in the asian side. Now, do not get confudes the name of this part of Istanbul is called asian, it is very modern, and you will see people live there are quite well off and the houses to rent or buy are far more cheaper and decent as well. The bagdad street in turkish is called (BAGDAD CADDESI) Howeever, the locals will refer to the bagdad street just by saying CADDE. Any young person you ask, how to go to CADDE, they will be amazed of your local way of saying it. :) Cadde is a 15 20 km long street full of trees and nice shops and amazing cafes and bars. The cars only go in one direction, and it is full of shops from Louis Vuitton to Bulgari, and many others.  Turkish people usually spend their days and eveninning just walking this really lond street up and down, people watching, drinking coffees. And also you will see many porches and ferraris driving along the street, men and women dressed quite fashioanble and trendy. as long as you walk towards the direction of the cars you will fine and you will not be running any risk whatsoever of getting lost. This part of istanbul, is highly educated and will be speaking fluent english. 

 

HOW TO GO?   When you get off your boat at bostanci. Turn left. Keep walking by the sea. Walk to the direction where the cars are coming from.  After walking for exatly 10 minutes by the sea, move to the opposite street and you will see cars going only in one direction now opposite however, this is your ultimate sign u are in bagdad street. Just keep walking. You will be walking in the part of cadde, called suadiye, if you stop being sure, again stop a young person, ask them you want to go to cadde, especially caddebostan area (main shops and cafes are there). The reason you will, have to see this street, is to give you an idea, that there are many different faces of istanbul. And the easiest time and way to go is after you have seen the Buyukada (ISLAND). It is more efficient for you. If you become tired of walking take the minibuses in yellow colo0ur. They stop as soon as they see you in the pavement, and tell them that you want to go either to taksim (which is in the european part of istanbul), that is the easiest and cheapest way to cross from asia to europe. And from taksim, you can go to beyoglu, for beyoglu and taksim, check my other articles. If not take the minibusses in yellow colour and ask to go to KADIKOY, AND take a boat either to eminonu/or besiktas (depends on where ever you are staying. These yellow minibusses are called (DOLMUS) in turkish. You pay your money after you get in and ask some one who is infront of you to pass it on the driver. if you are not sure about busses, ask a young person, they will be friendly and am sure will help you. 

• WHERE TO EAT AT BAGDAT STREET (CADDE)
  

1. KIRINTI:  Kirinti is a cafe restaurant which is situate on the right hand side of CADDE. it is at saskinbakkal neighbourhood. After you pass the traffic lights, and Marks and Spencer. Just ask any young person. The food is delicious and peaceful. Quite modern, and the menu is quite international but with touches of Turkish modifications. Very popular between the young and trendy to have a quick bite to eat before going out in the night.  Here are some photos of the place. 

 

 

WHAT DID WE SEE IN ONE DAY? 

1. BUYUK ADA: the church, and the restaurant, the beaches on the island
   
2. Bagdad street: shops cafes, small beverley hills of istanbul