30.05.2026 16:30
Citizens spending the Eid al-Adha holiday in Istanbul took advantage of the sunny weather and flocked to the Princes' Islands. Long queues formed at the Kabataş Princes' Islands Pier, and authorities announced that as many as 12,000 passengers had used ferries by noon today.
Those spending the nine-day Eid al-Adha holiday in Istanbul took advantage of the nice weather and came to Kabataş Pier to go to the Princes' Islands. Arriving at the pier from the early morning hours, they formed long queues to board the ferry. The density was observed to increase especially towards noon. While security guards and pier staff directed the citizens, those waiting in line to go to the Islands said they wanted to spend time with their families during the holiday break and enjoy the beautiful weather.
"WE HAVE 10 TIMES MORE PASSENGERS"
Staff member Muhteber Arpacıoğlu said, "We are here to serve our citizens. I am a cleaner. Compared to Eid al-Fitr, we have no exaggeration 10 times more passengers during Eid al-Adha for the past 2 days. Yesterday, the number of passengers going to the Islands was 27 thousand. The day before, it was 21 thousand. Today's passenger count has already reached 12 thousand. It has been busy since 07:00 in the morning. You can imagine the rest of the density. We are trying to serve our people as best we can."
"THEY MADE EXTRA TRIPS"
Passenger Zehra Çebi, going to Burgazada, said, "I always go, I love it especially Buyukada; but today I will go to Burgazada. Buyukada is probably very crowded. Actually, I didn't prefer it much during holidays, but this time I really missed summer. Also, I wanted a change of scenery. I think it was a first. They made extra trips, yes."
"BUSY COMPARED TO PREVIOUS ONES"
Gülten Çağlar said, "I am going to the island. It's my first time. Not compared to previous ones, but yes, it's busy. We have 3 minutes left, we're going."
"WE WILL GO TO BUYUKADA"
Hasan Akkuş said, "Today I came out with my family. I plan to go to the Islands. It's a nice day. Happy holiday to everyone. I am with my family to have a good day. We will go to Buyukada. We have no other plans for now, just Buyukada today. We already have plans every day. I go with my family once or twice a month to get some air, to breathe. Actually, it should be more crowded. This time it seems a bit lighter to me. Compared to previous holidays, it's very light. Last holiday we couldn't breathe here."
"THE WEATHER IS VERY NICE"
Sena Dursun, going to Buyukada with her family, said, "We decided to make use of the holiday break as a family, and we said let's go to the Islands. The weather is very nice, everything is very nice. It's my first time going to the Islands. We said let's go to Buyukada. We'll experience it, and then we can go again."