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About Burgazada (Antigoni)

Published Date
15 July 2024, 10:09
About Burgazada (Antigoni)
Onur Koçak

Onur Koçak

Tour Organizer

Category
Blogs

Burgazada, the 3rd largest island of the Marmara Sea, is also the least preferred island by foreign tourists. The island has a diameter of approximately 2 km and can be easily explored on foot. Contrary to popular belief, Burgazada is very cute and has a special structure in itself. You feel different emotions when you go here.

Burgazada, also known as the fishing island in ancient times, is a frequent destination for many sailing boats. Especially famous fish restaurants are preferred for 4 months of the year. It is located on the racing route of many sailboats and it is really enjoyable for them to take a break here.

Although more than half of the island's forest was burned in a huge fire in 2003, you can feel the natural life on the island very comfortably.

 If you follow this route we have drawn for you, you can have a great time in Burgazada. You can contact us for "private all-day tours" to Burgazada.

When you arrive at Burgazada, you can see the restaurants along the shore on your left. If you wish, you can start your island tour with a nice coffee at the Ergün Patisserie, which will be right in front of you. After sipping your coffee at the cafe overlooking Burgazada Bazaar, you can head to the right, towards Çamakya Area. Those who wish can also rent a bicycle from the cyclists on the road and tour.

You can take a walk with a sea view from Çamakya Area. After about 20 minutes, you will reach the famous Madam Marta Beach. This is a magnificently beautiful bay named after Madam Marta, who lived here in the 60s. There is a beach on the left side of this bay that serves without disturbing the natural structure. You may think you are in the 90's on this beach.After spending some time here and chatting with the locals, you can continue your tour towards Kalpazan Kaya.

When you walk for about 10 more minutes, you can go back to the past of the island and see the houses and horse stables from the time when there were phaetons. Kalpazan Kaya is the last stop on this road. We can call it the horizon point. The name of this place remained as Counterfeit Rock because counterfeit money was printed on the rocks here during the Byzantine period.You can end the day with a beer at Kalpazan Kaya Restaurant, which has been run by the same family for 3 generations. This is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset in Istanbul.

On the way back, you can explore different parts of the island by getting off Mehtap Street. This place will be like the places you read about in novels. Before finishing the tour, on your way you can see the house of the famous writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık, which is a museum, and the Hagia Yani Church, which dates back to the 9th century.

To finish your tour with a wonderful dinner at a beautiful restaurant, our recommendation is definitely Barba Yani Restaurant (Original). This is the Greek Tavern founded by a former Greek tavern owner from Istanbul named Yani in the early 2000s. This is a great place where you can find wonderful appetizers and seafood accompanied by the magnificent Heybeliada and Kaşıkadası.

After your wonderful meal, you should definitely eat ice cream at Sinem Dondurmacisi (gum mastic is our favorite), which has a branch in Heybeliada. 

If you want to stay on the island instead of returning to the mainland, there are not many hotel options. But if you wish, you can choose Pyrgos Hotel. You can also find accommodation alternatives on Airbnb if you wish. If you want to return to the mainland, we advise you not to miss the last voyage. You can access all ships  schedules by clicking here.