Princes' Islands ( Büyükada ) E-bike Tour

Our guided e bike tour was cancelled the morning of the tour as we were making our way to the ferry to get to the Prince's Islands. By then it was too late to book any other excursions so we continued on and toured around the island on our own. They wanted to charge us 120 euro for renting 2 e bikes for 3 hours which is outrageous. One of the e bikes did not work properly on hills. We rode back to the shop and asked for another bike that worked properly but the attendant did not understand us. The signage on the island is not great and we did eventually find our way around but it was not a place I would visit again. Not much to see and quite dirty.

Canceled 15 minutes before we were to meet contact through what’s up and not through email or text, which is how they were communicating previously.

Really fun and informative experience! My girlfriend and I loved it!

Loved this tour. The island is very pretty and the bike tour did the full loop including some quiet and secluded forests with fabulous views of the sea. Efe my guide was very professional and knowledgeable, I was alone on the tour and felt very safe despite not having been on a bike for 10 years! I highly recommend this tour, it’s a great escape from busy Istanbul.

Was an excellent day riding around the island with Efekan, who was very knowledgable of the island and you could tell he loved the island! I hadn’t ridden a bike for years but soon got confident especially as there is no traffic to worry about, and being an e-bike made the hills so easy! We had the best time on a hot day with a lovely breeze up amongst the pine trees.

Aegea was a wonderful guide. She was friendly. It felt like a cultural exchange as we chatted during our bike ride. We learned a lot and enjoyed a lovely day.

The island itself is beautiful and the biking is enjoyable. I am very happy we decided to do it, and the ferry over is definitely part of the fun. Our guide was enthusiastic, kind, and very communicative before and after the tour — and helped us figure out the ferry. Think of this less as a guided tour and more as biking the island with a friendly local. He would share bits of information as we passed things, though if you were at the back of the group you missed most of it since he shared things on the move. If you’re looking for structured storytelling or a narrative about the island’s history and culture, this isn’t it. But if you want the logistics taken care of and someone to show you the route, it works well for that. The bikes were not in good shape, though I’m not sure any rental bikes on the island are, but they were fine for what we did. If you want a helmet, bring your own. The ones provided smelled strongly of cigarettes and both of ours had large cracks in the foam. Worth knowing before you book: the tour is about an hour of actual biking, an hour walking up a steep but short hill to a church, and over an hour at lunch. It is a great tour route but it’s not a ton of biking because the island is small. The food at lunch was incredible, but we were overcharged after several miscommunications while ordering and trying to correct it (made more frustrating by the fact that our guide spoke the language and had ordered for us). Overall this was probably a better experience than going it alone, but not by a huge margin. Whether it’s worth it really depends on your group and what you’re looking for. If you’re a confident traveler who’s comfortable navigating independently, you might be just as happy renting bikes yourself and exploring on your own terms.

We had a really good day and have seen very pretty views. We really would recommend this because we enjoyed it a lot.

very pretty bike ride around the island. highlight recommend. our guide Onur was full of interesting information about the sites and the island.

We had a great tour of the island our guide Onur was very knowledgeable and friendly. Beautiful vistas and fascinating history.

What a great experience. Onur was perfect from communication prior to where to meet once off the ferry. Onur a local made the trip great, well worth it!

It was a basic bike ride around the island. Not many stops, just ride. About two hours long. Our guide Ege, was super friendly. No complaints. Soft spoken and a little hard to hear but we both really liked him. If you are coming Galata area, be prepared for about a 1.5 hour ferry ride each way.

This was a lovely slow countryside cycle on a beautiful island, but it only lasted just over an hour and there isn’t really any “information” about the island. Our guide was young, chatty and friendly but there wasn’t much “stuff” to talk about in terms of the history of Buyakada island. So it was fine, but short, slow and simple by nature.

Was such a lovely day with Ege our tour guide. She spoke amazing English and was quite knowledgeable about the island. A special treat was when they shared thier love of Turkish music and told us stories. The bike ride was refreshing and a great way to see the island and we finished getting some amazing traditional Turkish pizza and ice cream. I would highly recommend!

Our e bike tour with Onur was excellent!!! Onur is local in Princes Island and he knows the history very well and all hidden fabulous photo spots! He was very helpful during the tour and I highly recommend it! . I'm Turkish and lived in Istanbul for 30 years however I would definitely need a guide with e bike. As you can easily get lost in island and spend unnecessary time where Onur took us to the all historical and important spots and saved a lot of time. He is also very good at taking good photos! Worth every penny! Dont think twice, just book it :) Thank you Onur and sorry for the late review.

It was a last minute decision to take the tour the night before. In less than an hour it was arranged. We had the guide, Kaan, pick us up right at our door and escort us through Istanbul to the ferry. The bikes were electric and in good shape. Although it is only 16 kms around the island, it is very hilly and it was nice to be able to enjoy the ride. Kaan was friendly, knowledgeable, and kind. The island has some of the most majestic and architecturally beautiful houses that line the streets along the way.

We had an awesome time. Kaan our guide was very attentive yet chill. He was really a part of our group of four and we all really bonded during the day. The island was absolutely amazing and what a contrast from the hustle and bustle of the central city. The air was so fresh and the scenery was incredibly beautiful. A nice touch that Kasn brought a bag of cat food and we had so much fun with the sweet village cats. This is a great way to see a whole different side of Istanbul.

Prince’s Island is very peaceful and beautiful. E biking with a guide is the perfect way to enjoy the stunning views back to Istanbul and the other islands and learn about island life from a local. Option to stop off at lots of lovely beach/cliff side cafes.

Our e-bike tour of Buyukada with Onur was delightful!! Our tour of the island was a wonderful break from the chaos and noise of Istanbul. The bike’s were a breeze to ride. Onur’s a kind and knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the 17.35 ferry ride back to Istanbul. We’d recommend an e-bike ride with Onur to our family or friends!

Our family of three (my wife, our 17-year-old son, and I) recently embarked on an e-bike tour of Büyükada, the crown jewel of the Princes’ Islands. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the controlled chaos of Istanbul, this is the perfect day trip—and the e-bikes make short work of the island’s hilly terrain! Getting to Büyükada is easy, with regular ferries departing from Istanbul’s Kabataş, Kadıköy, and Eminönü piers. The ferry ride offers a scenic preview of the adventure to come, with panoramic views of the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea. We met our guide, Onur, at the Büyükada dock. With 25 years of island living under his belt, Onur knows every story, shortcut, and hidden gem. After a quick orientation, we hopped on our e-bikes and set off to explore the island at our own pace. Büyükada is car-free, with electric vehicles now the only form of motorized transport—part of an effort to preserve the island’s charm and serenity. This made the e-bikes not only a fun way to explore but also an essential part of the island’s peaceful vibe. Our first stops were to admire the 19th-century timber mansions, their facades draped in bougainvillea vines that burst with color. Many of these grand homes now serve as summer retreats for Istanbul’s elite, adding an air of quiet luxury to the streets. Along the way, we encountered the island’s most charming residents—friendly cats and dogs. Dogs snoozed contentedly in the middle of roads, while curious cats greeted us with a meow or a purr every time we stopped. These encounters made the journey even more delightful and gave the island an unexpectedly warm, welcoming feel. A special historical highlight was our visit to the ruins of the house where Leon Trotsky lived in exile—a poignant reminder of Büyükada’s intriguing history. Our journey continued to Yücetepe, the island’s highest point at 203 meters. With the e-bikes doing the heavy lifting, the uphill ride felt effortless. At the top, we parked the bikes and hiked a short but steep path to visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery and Church of St. George. The church houses a revered icon of St. George, and pilgrims visit twice a year—on April 23rd and September 24th—to seek blessings and honor the saint. Standing at the summit, gazing over the sea and distant islands, we felt a profound sense of peace that only places steeped in faith and history can offer. Before descending, we took a break at the restaurant just outside the church, enjoying a coffee and soaking up spectacular views of the Marmara Sea and the Princes’ Islands below us. It was the kind of moment that makes you stop, breathe, and realize just how special travel can be. Our ride continued with a leisurely circuit of the island. We even stopped to visit some retired horses, which once pulled the carriages that served as Büyükada’s primary transport. Now, with electric vehicles in place, the horses live out their retirement in peace, a fitting symbol of the island’s gentle pace of life. We finished our tour back at the port town of Adalar, grateful for the experience. Onur’s knowledge, passion, and storytelling added layers of meaning to the journey, making it feel less like a tour and more like a conversation with a friend who loves sharing his home. Büyükada is a welcome respite from the controlled chaos of Istanbul, and this e-bike tour was the perfect way to explore its quiet streets, beautiful views, and rich history. If you’re visiting Istanbul, be sure to hop on a ferry and experience Büyükada this way—you’ll leave with unforgettable memories, new friends (of the feline and canine variety), and maybe even a deeper appreciation for life at a slower pace.

I would like to start off by thanking our professional and very kind guide, Onur. The e-bikes were a blast and Onur shared so much info with us on the history of the island. The views-WOW. A must do adventure.

My husband and I had a fabulous day riding e-bikes and taking in the beautifully breathtaking sights of Büyükada (one of the Princes Islands). From magnificent mansions to sweeping sea views - the Island is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Onur, our guide and resident of the island, was a genuine local who made our experience truly memorable. He struck the perfect balance between sharing fascinating stories about the island's history and letting us explore at our own pace—never once feeling pushy. Years ago, my husband and I rented and struggled on traditional bikes, but the e-bikes transformed our ride, making those daunting hills easily manageable. With Onur we uncovered hidden gems and stunning views that we missed during our previous visit. We also captured the whole ride on our Insta360 x4 camera and got some amazing footage! Overall, it was an ultimate day filled with beauty and discovery, thanks to Onur’s insightful guidance. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Büyükada!

Great trip around the island! Onur met us and had so much to share. Easy ride, lots of great views and cold drinking water opportunities.

Mr Onur was a wonderful guide to us. He was patient, smiling all the time and made sure we understood the historical aspect of the journey.. showed us all the beautiful spots within the Island ... Anytime I come back I'm calling him..

Onur was an excellent guide. He met us at the ferry pier; then we walked to a nearby restaurant and discussed an overview of the tour over some Turkish tea. We then proceeded to get the ebikes. From there we had a peaceful ride through the town area and past some lovely homes. Onur provided commentary along the way and was just enjoyable in conversation overall. We visited the Greek Orthodox church and had some fabulous views from different vantage points. My wife and I enjoyed our ride around the island. There are several hills; so the ebikes are definitely the way to go! I highly recommend Onur and the ebike tour.

Very fun e-bike tour of beautiful princess island! Our guide was very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend

We had a great day on Buyukada on the bike and hiking. Müsait, our super friendly guide, took us to all the highlights and kept feeding us with interesting stories about the islands where he grew up and resides. Highly recommended excursion from the busy city!

Onur is a great tour guide! I was nervous in doing a private tour but Onur made it feel like visiting family. The ride was fun and exciting at time, while relaxing and refreshing at other times. Onur was flexible and communicative before and during the tour, he also continuously asked and offered to accommodate my needs. He was great at helping take memorable pictures as well. Thank you Onur for your guidance! I recommend.

Onur is a great tour guide! I was nervous in doing a private tour but Onur made it feel like visiting family. The ride was fun and exciting at time, while relaxing and refreshing at other times. Onur was flexible and communicative before and during the tour, he also continuously asked and offered to accommodate my needs. He was great at helping take memorable pictures as well. Thank you Onur for your guidance! I recommend.

Beautiful island. But they cancelled stagecoach and use electric cars with a driver and we had not choice to stop desired seesight.

The Full-Day E-Bike Tour on Büyükada gave us an opportunity to explore the island's terrain. Navigating the island's landscape on e-bikes offered a blend of adventure and autonomy that is hard to match. We asked to have lunch at the Yücetepe Kir Gazinosu Restaurant, which includes a notable incline where we were asked to park our e-bikes and proceed upwards on foot. This option can be quite strenuous and may not be suited for everyone, however, reaching the top, we were rewarded with a scenic panorama of the surrounding area.

Onur was a great tour guide. He explained the unique homes and history, showed us a good place for lunch, and with the E-bikes we easily got to see whole island including the island’s historical Greek Orthodox Church and orphanage even with our limited time on the island. Thanks again Onur, we hope to be back again soon!

This was a beautiful tour. The guide was with us throughout the entire day. He made sure we got from Istanbul all the way to the island and back safely. The bike ride was easy, since the motors did 99% of the pedaling if you wanted. The icing on the cake was getting to meet his mother and son while walking through the town. I’m glad we took a day to explore a different Turkish island.

The island is beautiful. Our guide was great. He communicated about everything we needed, very responsive. He helped us get from Istanbul to the ferry and met us there. He fit us for bikes and guided us around the island. It was an amazing day.

A real experience. A 16 km bike ride experience on Büyükada, the largest of the Princes' Islands. This road is made up of gorgeous houses and landscapes. Our bike was comfortable and easy to use. I recommend you this tour. Great alternative to Prince Islands tour.

Thank you Onur for this great tour. We had a great day as a family. We bought an e-bike tour and had the opportunity to see the whole Buyukada in a very comfortable way. If you are considering a special trip to the Buyukada, you should definitely choose Princes Islands Tour.

It was a very nice experience for us. We made our reservation online via viator. Our guide Onur contacted us immediately after booking and gave detailed information about our tour route. We bought an E-Bike tour. As Onur said, he was waiting for us at the pier in Buyukada and our bikes were ready. First, we took a short break, examined our tour route and talked about where we should visit. We had the opportunity to visit every place we wanted to see in a very comfortable way. I would recommend Princes Islands Tour to anyone considering a private tour to the islands.