Istanbul's Prince's Islands
 

I have a chance to visit Istanbul in either mid-April or early June and have always wanted to visit the Prince's Islands. Is mid-April too early for the islands? Would everything be closed and the weather too chilly?

I have tried to visit the islands 3 times in Decembers of the last 3 years and failed :) Mid april or Early June, both will be good, June will be better. Do it in weekend so there will be more people around :) The weather will be nice as well unless rainy. March is cold but then it is pleasant.
happy travels,
K

The islands are basically residential, mostly with the homes used in the Summer months.

There are some hotels which are open throughout the year and the restaurants which are usually in the vicinity of the ferry landing are also always open.

The only sights are the gardens and villas, visited by horse carriages. You can take a carriage tour of any of the islands. Burgaz has a nice restaurant at the Western end with beautiful sunsets. Buyukada has an exclusive social and games club with parliamentarian and VIP members.

They were originally occupied heaviy by Christian and Jewish minorities. During the last fifty years, the number of Moslem turks increased, especially at the last and largest island Buyukada. The first, Kinaliada stays truest to its heritage and second one Burgaz still has a Jewish resident group.

The ferry ride up the Bosphorus and a hike up the hill at Cengelkoy, Kanlica or Emirgan is probably more rewarding than a trip to the Princes islands IMHO.

Keith, Mother, Gräfin Muffy, and I once stayed at the Splendid Palas Hotel on Buyukada.

It was OK. The hotel had a pool. But, other than the monastery there really isn't much to see on Buyukada.

Picnickers throw all their trash in the bushes whilst riding around the island in the hired hansom cabs.

I would do something else with my time.

Thin

I guess I was picturing charming villages with more public activities rather than private. Are there charming shops and restaurants or is it all behind high hedges?

No exciting shops for sure.

Restaurants are not charming but some are by the seaside and some have views like the one at Kalpazankaya, Burgaz which you can google.

Most homes are middle class. There are some older larger mansions. A few are behind hedges, but none have exceptional architecture.

It will be quite green and with lots of flowers in April and June but that is about it.

All of the islands are also quite hilly and not very easy for simple hikes.

I went to Buyukada for an overnight visit, stayed at a guesthouse outside the town and enjoyed it very much. I took a horse-drawn taxi to my accommodation on arrival and walked back to the town next day, to walk around the town and catch the ferry back.

I'm never quite sure what people require when speaking of things "to do". Just walking around is usually enough for me. I don't think it would be entertaining for much longer than a few days but if that's what you want, then it's a nice change from the city. By the way, yes it's hilly, but I'm in my 60's and didn't find the going difficult.

Thank you all for your helpful answers. Unfortunately, the trip has fallen victim to some new consulting work. Will file the answers but it sounds as though the islands are not what I was hoping for.