Essential Island Highlights
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Literary Identity: Closely associated with Sait Faik Abasıyanık (1906–1954), pioneer of modern Turkish short stories. His historic Victorian residence is preserved as a free museum displaying his original writing desk and notebooks.
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Kalpazankaya Clifftop: Positioned at the island's western promontory ('Counterfeiter's Rock'). Famous for slow-cooked clay-pot baked lamb (tandır) and panoramic sunset views across Sivriada and the open Marmara Sea.
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Madam Martha Cove: A protected natural pebble swimming bay on the western shore named after 1950s resident ballerina Martha Kazar. Clear waters popular with snorkelers (rubber water shoes recommended due to rocky floor).
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Cennet Bahçesi Amphitheatre: An open-air cultural performance garden on the wooded slopes of Gönüllü Caddesi hosting indie rock and acoustic sunset concerts.
The Literary Colony of Sait Faik
Burgazada (historical Greek: Antigoni, named after Demetrius I Poliorcetes' father Antigonus) is the third largest inhabited island, spanning 1.50 square kilometers with a permanent population of 1,455 residents. It has maintained a bohemian, village-like character, free from the mass tour bus crowds that often fill the harbor plazas of larger islands.
The island is synonymous with Sait Faik Abasıyanık, who chose Burgazada as his sanctuary to write short stories depicting island fishermen, stray cats, seabirds, and Greek boatbuilders. Walking through Burgazada's quiet lanes today reveals a tranquil seaside rhythm centered around its small town square, historic Greek Orthodox churches like Aya Yani, and waterfront fish taverns along Gezinti Caddesi.
Explore the Dedicated Island Website: Burgazada.tours
For literary walking itineraries, complete menus and reservation tips for Kalpazankaya, and boutique pension guides, visit our dedicated companion website:
Explore Burgazada.tours ↗Top Landmarks & Highlights on Burgazada
Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum
Located at Çayır Sokak No: 15. The former three-story timber residence of the author, opened in 1959 and maintained by the Darüşşafaka Society. Displays his personal writing desk, original manuscripts, letters, personal fishing tackle, and private book library.
Admission: Free (Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30–17:00)Kalpazankaya Clifftop & Cove
Perched on the western cliffs at Kalpazankaya Yolu No: 42. Named after 19th-century coin counterfeiters who hid in coastal caves below. Celebrated for slow-cooked clay-pot baked lamb (tandır) and fresh fish, paired with western sunset vistas over Sivriada. A foot trail descends to a rocky swimming cove.
Hours: Daily 11:00–23:30 (May to October)Madam Martha Cove (Martha Koyu)
A natural pebble cove reachable via an unmarked dirt foot trail west of Halik Caddesi. Named after Martha Kazar, an Egyptian-Armenian ballerina who lived in the cottage above the beach in the mid-twentieth century. Protected natural shoreline with clear waters. Water shoes are essential to protect against black sea urchins.
Access: Free public shoreline (Sunbed rental optional)Cennet Bahçesi Amphitheatre
Located at Gönüllü Caddesi No: 60 on a pine-shaded hillside. Operates as a daytime garden cafe and converts into an intimate concert venue at dusk, hosting the annual Burgazada Music Festival in August alongside weekly acoustic showcases.
Concert Tickets: 350 to 800 TL via BiletixCombine Burgazada with a Full-Day Marmara Ferry Cruise
Burgazada is an easy stop on any Princes' Islands itinerary. Public ferries depart Kabataş and Bostancı regularly, docking at Burgazada before proceeding to Heybeliada and Büyükada. Book your round-trip ticket online with audio narration for a seamless trip.
Transit Routes & Night Safety Advisories
Adabüs Transit: The municipal electric route BU-1 circles Burgazada's paved roads, providing access between the ferry pier, residential streets, and the approach road to Kalpazankaya for 143.95 TL per tap.
Nocturnal Trail Hazards: While the lit waterfront promenade along Gezinti Caddesi is safe and lively at night, the interior trails ascending toward Bayraktepe (Hristos Hill, 170 meters) have no street lighting. Walking these dirt forest routes after dark carries trip hazards over tree roots and sharp limestone rocks. If dining late at Kalpazankaya, either arrange an electric Ada Taksi for your return or carry a bright smartphone flashlight to follow the paved roadway.
Annual Festivals & Harbor Meyhanes
Every year on May 11, Burgazada hosts literary gatherings commemorating the passing of Sait Faik in 1954. Organized by the Darüşşafaka Society, the event features outdoor short story readings in the museum garden, academic panels, and author walking tours that visit specific fishing docks and tea gardens immortalized in his prose.
In early August, the Burgazada Music Festival (Burgazada Müzik Festivali) transforms the open-air amphitheater of Cennet Bahçesi into an energetic venue for Turkish indie rock, acoustic songwriting, and reggae bands. Performance tickets range from 400.00 to 800.00 TL via Biletix. For dinner after the show, stroll down to the harbor row of traditional seafood taverns (meyhanes) such as Barba Yani and Antigoni, where seasonal red mullet (tekir), sea bass, warm octopus salad, and wild island sea samphire (deniz börülcesi) are paired with chilled anise-flavored rakı.