A boat trip to the beautiful Princes' Islands is very rewarding. The nine islands (total area 10sq.km/4sq.miles), known in Turkish as the Kizil Adalar (Red Islands) from the reddish tinge of their quarzite and ferruginous rocks, lie 19-28km/12-17mi southeast of Istanbul in the northeastern corner of the Sea of Marmara. There are several boats a day to and from Istanbul and Yalova. In antiquity the islands were called Demonnesoi (People's Islands); in medieval times their numerous monasteries earned them the name of Papadonisia (Priests' Islands). Under the Byzantine Empire they frequently served as a place of exile for deposed or disgraced members of the Imperial family.
With their carefully tended gardens and parks, their first-rate facilities for water-sports, and their excellent roads, they offer a welcome change from the hectic pace of life in Istanbul. Their healthy climate, southern vegetation and variety of scenery make them a favorite resort of the more prosperous citizens of Istanbul. There is no motor traffic on the Princes' Islands, the chief means of transport being horse-drawn carriages, which can be hired for drives around the islands.
The largest island, Büyük Ada (Great Island), was known from the time of the Emperor Justinian II (sixth century) as Prinkipo: hence the name of Princes' Islands given to the whole group. The other islands, in order of size (with Greek names in parenthesis), are Heybeli Ada (Chalki; with copper deposits), Burgaz Ada (Pyrgos or Antigoni), Kinali Ada (Proti), Sedef Ada (Terebinthos), Yassi Ada (Plati), Sivri Ada (Oxia), Kasik Ada (Pitta) and Tavsan Ada (Neandros).
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