Aya Yorgi Church — Attraction in Prince Islands

Ayayorgi Monastery – A Heavenly Climb Above the Sea

Reaching Ayayorgi Manastırı on Büyükada is a journey in itself — one that begins with the gentle waves of the Bosphorus. From Kabataş, the ferry glides across the sparkling sea, your İstanbulkart opening the way to another world. When you arrive at the island, a local bus (again with your trusty İstanbulkart) takes you up towards Lunapark — the last stop before the climb.

From there, the real adventure begins: a 20-minute walk uphill, where every step feels like a pilgrimage. The path is steep but sacred — after all, God’s path is always uphill. The air grows quieter, the sounds of the city fade, and all that remains is the whisper of the wind through the pine trees and the distant shimmer of the Marmara Sea.

When you finally reach the top, the fatigue melts away. The view is breathtaking — the sea stretching endlessly, the sun dipping low and painting the sky in shades of gold and rose. Nature here feels untouched, almost divine. The monastery stands peacefully, watching over the island like an old guardian, while below, the waves gently embrace Büyükada’s shores.

It’s not just a place — it’s a feeling. The beauty, the silence, the climb — all remind you that the most beautiful views always come after the...

great monastery...I visited many times in my life...as german national: I lived approx.all- in - all 14 months in ISTANBUL...( worked without payment many times as G.P. and emergency med. in türk kizilay Tarlabasi)- and lived also 7,5 years in IRAN: BUT BESIDES SHIRAS, IRAN AND ESFAHAN, IRAN: ISTANBUL IS MY FAVORITE MEGAPOLIS ( out of 70 or 80 countries!)- and BÜYÜKADA IS MY FAVORITE PRINCESS ISLAND...OKAY ITS THE BIGGEST princess island...BUT : I ALWAYS WALK TO THIS MONASTERY - WHERE FOTOS ARE FORBIDDEN INSIDE!- there are terrific paintings inside ....better take a bus first - and then walk to the hill...and then: meditation there...and : many ships leaving to princess island...there: you can also eat fresh fish...cheaper than directly at a fish restaurant near the bridge....BUT: BALIK VE EKMEK ( MAHI BA NAN/ SANGAK YO LAVASH)- the best and cheapest: is a fish/ sardine fresh! sandwich near the...

I’m in good shape and healthy, but it still took me about 20 minutes of walking uphill, with a couple of stops along the way to catch my breath. If you’re not in great shape or need mobility assistance, this climb could be really tough. That being said, the hike is absolutely worth it! The view from the top is stunning, and the cute little church is a must-see. Plus, it’s free, which makes it even better. Highly recommended when you’re on the island!

P.S. The church closes at 16:00, so make sure to get there before it closes. Also, if you’re taking the island buses, keep in mind that each way costs about 65TL. On the way back to the island center, there aren’t any ticket machines to recharge your transport card, so make sure you’ve got enough money on it for both directions. And don’t forget to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat...