Places you can reach in the morning and leave in the evening. Public transport first; the car only where it really helps.
Princes' Islands (Büyükada and Heybeliada)
Car-free islands in the Sea of Marmara with wooden Ottoman-era mansions, pine woods and Greek Orthodox monasteries, an easy ferry ride from the city. Good for walkers, families and anyone wanting a slower day by the sea.
How to get there
- Ferry · Dentur Avrasya · 1 h 30 minFrom Beşiktaş, Kabataş or Sirkeci
Departures: weekdays 2 sailings (Kabataş 09:45, 11:45), weekends 4 (Kabataş 09:45, 10:45, 11:45, 13:00); stops at Heybeliada
Fare: Dentur ticket price not verified 2026; IBB tariff lists 151.23 TRY on Istanbulkart for Adalar lines of city and private sea motors (checked 2026-10)
Winter timetable valid from 23 September 2026. Last return from Büyükada 15:30 on weekdays, 18:00 at weekends (arrives Kabataş 17:00 / 19:30). Children under 7 travel free.
- Ferry · Şehir Hatları (Istanbul City Ferries)From Kabataş, Eminönü or Bostancı (Bostancı is reachable by Marmaray)
Departures: not verified 2026 (winter timetable in force since September 2026)
Fare: 151.23 TRY full fare on Istanbulkart for the Adalar lines (IBB fare tariff valid from 20 July 2026); duration not verified 2026 (checked 2026-10)
Year-round public ferries; many stop at Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada before Büyükada. The operator's timetable site blocks automated access, so times were not verified: check sehirhatlari.istanbul or the Şehir Hatları app for the last boat back. Fare source: https://tuhim.ibb.gov.tr/media/27491/%C4%B0stanbulkart.pdf
- Ferry · İDO (sea bus)From Kabataş or Bostancı
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: 272.18 TRY Kabataş-Adalar, 171.89 TRY Bostancı-Adalar, full fare on Istanbulkart (IBB fare tariff from 20 July 2026); times not verified 2026 (checked 2026-10)
Faster, pricier sea buses. İDO's site is an app that could not be read automatically; check ido.com.tr for current sailings.
What to see
- Büyükada island loop. Walk or cycle the ring road past wooden mansions and pine woods; 2-3 hours on foot, about 1 hour by bike
- Aya Yorgi Monastery hilltop. Steep walk up Yücetepe to the Greek Orthodox monastery and a view over the islands; allow 90 minutes there and back
- Adalar Museum (Museum of the Princes' Islands). Island history in the Aya Nikola hangar on Büyükada's east side; 60 minutes; closed Mondays
- Prinkipo Greek Orphanage. Huge 1898 wooden building seen from outside only (fire-damaged, awaiting restoration); 20-30 minutes
- Heybeliada and the Halki Seminary. Quieter island one stop earlier; walk up the Hill of Hope to the seminary; 2-3 hours
Closed days
Adalar Museum closed Mondays (adalarmuzesi.org). The islands themselves are open every day.
Best time to go
all year; Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct are best, summer weekends are very crowded
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here. Private cars are not allowed on the islands; only electric service vehicles run there.
Good to know
- Check the last boat back before you set off: Dentur's last weekday return from Büyükada is 15:30; Şehir Hatları runs later.
- Adalar Museum is closed on Mondays; winter hours 10:30-17:00, foreign visitors 300 TRY.
- There are no cars on the islands: bring walking shoes, or rent a bike near the Büyükada pier.
- Go on a weekday outside July and August if you can; summer weekend boats are packed.
Bursa and Cumalıkızık
The first Ottoman capital, with early Ottoman mosques, tombs and silk khans, plus the 700-year-old village of Cumalıkızık; together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A long but easy day by fast ferry across the Sea of Marmara.
How to get there
- Ferry · BUDO (Bursa Deniz Otobüsleri) · 1 h 50 minFrom Kabataş
Departures: 4-5 sailings a day; first from Kabataş 08:00
Fare: 1,440 TRY one way full fare, offered at a 720 TRY campaign price when checked (checked 2026-10)
Arrives at Mudanya pier, about 30 km from Bursa centre; continue by city bus or taxi. Last return Mudanya-Kabataş 19:00 (19:15 Fri and Sun). Book ahead online; buy the return at the same time.
- Ferry · BUDO (Bursa Deniz Otobüsleri)From Eminönü/Sirkeci
Departures: not verified 2026 (no sailings listed for the coming two weeks when checked)
Fare: 1,250 TRY one way full fare, 625 TRY campaign price when checked (checked 2026-10)
The route and fare are listed by BUDO, but the timetable showed no Eminönü sailings for 12-25 October 2026.
- Ferry · İDO (sea bus to Bursa Güzelyalı)From Yenikapı
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: not verified 2026 (checked 2026-10)
İDO also sails to Bursa (Güzelyalı pier near Mudanya). Its site could not be read automatically; check ido.com.tr.
What to see
- Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque). 1399 mosque with 20 domes and wall calligraphy; 30-40 minutes
- Koza Han and the covered bazaar. 15th-century silk khan with a courtyard tea garden, next to the bazaar; 45 minutes
- Green Mosque and Green Tomb (Yeşil Cami, Yeşil Türbe). Early Ottoman tilework at its best; 45 minutes
- Tombs of Osman and Orhan (Tophane). Tombs of the dynasty's founders above the old town, with city views; 30 minutes
- Cumalıkızık village. Cobbled lanes and timber houses at the foot of Uludağ, about 10 km east of the centre; 90 minutes including village breakfast
Best time to go
all year; Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct for walking
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- There is no high-speed train to Bursa yet: the Bursa-Osmaneli line was still in testing in 2026, so use the ferry.
- With the 08:00 BUDO sailing and the 19:00 return you get about 8 hours in Bursa; do the old town first and Cumalıkızık only if time allows.
- Mudanya to the centre and the centre to Cumalıkızık are served by Burulaş city buses; route numbers were not verified, so check burulas.com.tr or ask at the pier.
- Mosques close to visitors briefly during prayers, longest at Friday midday prayer; women need a headscarf.
Edirne
The second Ottoman capital, near the Greek and Bulgarian borders, home to Sinan's Selimiye Mosque (UNESCO), which reopened in February 2026 after a four-year restoration. A long day for architecture lovers.
How to get there
- Bus · Metro Turizm and other coach companies · 3 hFrom Esenler Otogarı or Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı
Departures: frequent daily departures
Fare: not verified 2026; operator says fares vary by date and demand (checked 2026-10)
Operator gives 2.5-3.5 hours depending on traffic. Arrives at Edirne Otogarı on the edge of town; take a city bus or taxi to Selimiye.
- Bus · Kamil Koç (Flix)From Istanbul (European side)
Departures: not verified 2026
Fare: from about 389-399 TRY one way, lowest fare shown (checked 2026-10)
Stops at Edirne-Otogar, İskender Köyü.
What to see
- Selimiye Mosque and social complex. Mimar Sinan's masterwork (1575) with four 85 m minarets; 60 minutes plus the Arasta bazaar below
- Old Mosque (Eski Cami). Early 15th-century mosque with giant wall calligraphy; 20 minutes
- Üç Şerefeli Mosque. 1447 mosque with a minaret of three balconies, a step towards Selimiye; 20 minutes
- Bayezid II Complex and Health Museum. 15th-century hospital complex across the Tunca river, now a museum of Ottoman medicine; 60 minutes (hours not verified)
- Meriç Bridge and tava ciğer lunch. Ottoman bridge at sunset and Edirne's fried liver; 60 minutes
Closed days
Mosques are open daily but close to visitors during prayer times, longest at Friday midday prayer.
Best time to go
all year; Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct are most comfortable
By car
Public transport is the better way to go here.
Good to know
- Take a bus before 08:00 and book the return in advance; with 5-7 hours on the road this is a long day.
- A slow TCDD regional train (Halkalı-Edirne) exists but takes about 4 hours; the new Halkalı-Kapıkule fast line was not open to passengers when checked. Times not verified 2026.
- Selimiye is a working mosque: dress modestly (headscarf for women), and avoid Friday midday prayer.
- Try tava ciğer (thin fried liver), Edirne's signature dish, near the old bazaars.
Şile and Ağva
Black Sea fishing towns on Istanbul's own coast: Şile with its castle islet and 1859 lighthouse, Ağva where two rivers meet the sea among forest. Istanbulites come for fish lunches, river walks and, in summer, beaches.
How to get there
- Bus · İETT line 139A Üsküdar-Şile-AğvaFrom Üsküdar (Şemsipaşa)
Departures: 12 departures a day, same Monday-Sunday; first 06:30, then 07:30, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00
Fare: 282.35 TRY Üsküdar-Ağva, 86.39 TRY Ağva-Şile (IBB fare tariff from 20 July 2026; Mavi Kart pass not valid); journey time not verified 2026 (checked 2026-10)
Calls at Şile on the way. Last bus back from Ağva 20:00. Some departures (marked O, İ, Y on the timetable) take variant routes. Fare source: https://tuhim.ibb.gov.tr/media/27491/%C4%B0stanbulkart.pdf
- Bus · İETT line 139 Üsküdar-ŞileFrom Üsküdar (Şemsipaşa)
Departures: 4 departures a day (12:00, 14:00, 18:30, 22:15); from Şile 06:00, 11:00, 16:00
Fare: Üsküdar-Şile fare not listed separately; Şile-Çekmeköy 191.31 TRY (IBB fare tariff from 20 July 2026) (checked 2026-10)
Few departures and poorly timed for a day trip; 139A also serves Şile.
What to see
- Şile Castle and harbour. Small Genoese-era castle on a rock islet by the harbour; 30 minutes
- Şile Lighthouse. 1859 lighthouse on the headland above the town; 20 minutes
- Şile cloth (Şile bezi) shops. Locally woven cotton with geographical-indication status; 30 minutes
- Ağva rivers (Göksu and Yeşilçay). Riverside walk, rowing boat or kayak where the rivers meet the sea; 1-2 hours
- Fish lunch by the river in Ağva. Riverside restaurants; 90 minutes
Best time to go
May-Sep for the coast; quiet but pleasant in spring and autumn
By car
A car makes this trip easier. About 1 h 30 min by car. About 1-1.5 hours from the centre to Ağva in light traffic; heavy traffic on summer weekends (Friday evening outbound, Sunday afternoon back). The bus works but is slow, and a car lets you combine Şile, Ağva and the villages. Tolls and parking not verified.
Good to know
- Do not swim where there are no lifeguards: the Black Sea coast has strong rip currents.
- Go on a weekday; summer weekends bring heavy traffic and crowds.
- If going by bus, take a 139A before 09:00 and check the 20:00 last bus back from Ağva.