Heybeliada

The Four Hills of Heybeliada

The greenest island of İstanbul, Heybeliada is famous not only for its refreshing nature and air but also for its historical institutions. It is known for its four small hills, Değirmentepe, the highest of Heybeliada’s four famous hills, is 136 metres high. There is also the famous Heybeliada Seminary on Ümit Hill, which is 85 metres high. The other two are Taşocağı and Makarios Hills.

Heybeliada is home to the famous Naval Cadet School, which can be seen on the left side of the jetty as you leave the ferry. There are two interesting structures on the grounds of the school. One is the Kamariotissa, the only surviving Eastern Roman church on the island and the last church built before the conquest of Constantinople.

Aya Yorgi is estimated to have been built at the end of the 16th century, located on a hill overlooking Büyükada. With its pink building and breath-taking views, the Aya Yorgi Cliff Monastery is one of the top sights in Heybeliada.

The 11th-century Orthodox monastery Aya Triada resides on the highest hill, overlooking the lush landscape of the island. To the right of the jetty is the village, with its bars and cafés, a hotel that is open all year round and many beautiful wooden houses. 

In summer, the island hosts small open-air concerts and an annual Independence Day march when a naval band tours the island.

Heybeliada is also the home of Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar, one of the cornerstones of Turkish literature, and who had spent 32 years of his life. Gürpınar’s house, where he lived until 1944 is open to visitors as a museum and well worth a visit.

While Büyükada is the largest and most historically interesting of the islands, Heybeliada is where you can enjoy relaxation, tradition, and a laid-back atmosphere with notable and surrounding beaches and beach clubs. The notable bays include Aquarium Cove, the hidden paradise of the island, the mussels pan of this calm beach, which is also quite famous, and the stony German Cove facing the open sea.