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Democracy Island Corporate Trip
İstanbul, Türkiye Starting Point: Coach from Istanbul or the surrounding provinces
Overview
The Democracy Island corporate trip is a one-day programme that takes the group by ferry to the island in the Sea of Marmara formerly known as Yassıada, visiting with a guide the sites where the trials following the 27 May 1960 coup were held. Around five hours are spent on the island; coach transport, the ferry, island entry and museum admissions are included in the package. Telling the story of Türkiye's recent political history on the spot, the programme is designed for large company teams of 25-250.
What is in the programme?
Participants are brought by coach from Istanbul and the surrounding provinces to the Karaköy or Üsküdar pier, and cross to the island by ferry. After a general briefing at the island entrance, the group tours the Museum of Democracy and Freedoms, where the hall used for the Yassıada trials of 1960-61, wax figures and documents are on display. The Adnan Menderes Museum and the 27 May Museum, which holds case files and screens a short film, complete the narrative.
After the lunch break the group moves to the open-air section: the Monument to Undelivered Letters and the From Darkness to Light exhibition are visited, and the view of the Sea of Marmara and the Princes' Islands is taken in from the Democracy Lighthouse. Following free time in Democracy Square, the group returns to the mainland by ferry and the coaches take participants back to their starting points.
Highlights
- Seeing on site the courtroom that belongs to Türkiye's recent political history
- All three museums on the island and island entry included in the package
- Door-to-door coach organisation combined with the ferry crossing
- A walk with Marmara views around the open-air monuments and the lighthouse
Who Is It For?
Suitable for large company teams of 25-250; it appeals to organisations that want to move large groups in a single logistics flow and spend a day reflecting on democracy, law and collective memory. The physical effort is light; the island is small and its walking paths are flat.
Planning Notes
- Ferries run at set times, so the programme is built around the sailings; the risk of arriving late at the pier is factored into the coach planning.
- Large groups are taken into the museums in rotation, split into sub-groups with several guides.
- Lunch and coffee breaks are not included in the package; they can be covered at the cafés on the island.
- A jacket is recommended for the sea crossing and the open-air section in windy weather; spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Additional Services
Corporate Fit
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Suitable Team SizeLarge company teams of 25-250
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SegmentEconomy
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Extra FeaturesLocal economy, Accessible
Included Services / Excluded Services
- Return coach from Istanbul and the surrounding provinces to the designated pier
- Ferry crossing pier - Democracy Island - pier
- Democracy Island entry fee
- Admission to all museums on the island (Museum of Democracy and Freedoms, Adnan Menderes Museum, 27 May Museum)
- Professional guiding service
- Corporate event planning
- Tour coordination support
- Food and drink (lunch, coffee breaks)
- Personal expenses
- Insurance (recommended, an additional service)
Tour Gallery
Tour & Event Plan
FAQ
As part of the tour, coaches take participants from Istanbul and the surrounding provinces to the Karaköy or Üsküdar pier. From there the group crosses to the island on the scheduled ferry. Ferry departure times: 10:45 from Karaköy and 11:10 from Üsküdar. The return from the island is at 17:00.
The island is home to the Museum of Democracy and Freedoms, the Adnan Menderes Museum and the 27 May Museum. All museum admissions are free of charge as part of the tour. The museums are open 10:00-16:00 every day except Monday.
Coaches depart from the main stop closest to the company's location, whether at designated central points on the European and Asian sides of Istanbul (Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Mecidiyeköy, Levent, Bakırköy, Pendik, Taksim and so on) or in the surrounding provinces (Kocaeli, Sakarya, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Bursa, Yalova). Door-to-door transport can also be arranged at the company's request.
Around 10-12 hours from coach departure to return (between 08:00 and 19:00). The programme on the island itself lasts around 4-5 hours.
Yes, there are cafés and restaurants around Democracy Square. Bringing outside food and alcoholic drinks onto the island is not permitted.
Yes, the museums on the island are indoors, so the tour can continue in wet weather. Carrying an umbrella is recommended while visiting the open-air exhibitions and monuments.
Yes, the tour is planned exclusively for companies. Ferry reservations and guide allocation are arranged according to group size.
There are no areas on the island for swimming or picnicking.
The Democracy Island Tour is particularly suited to large company teams of 25-250. The programme flow can be tailored to the number of participants, the departmental structure and the intended motivational outcome.
This tour is positioned in the economy segment. The price is confirmed according to the number of participants, dates, transport, meals, guiding and any additional activities required.
The programme's notable additional features are: a contribution to the local economy and an accessible programme. Low-carbon transport, low-waste operations and local sourcing options can be added as required.
To receive a quote, simply share the number of participants, your preferred dates, destination, budget segment and any specific requirements on the tour request form. A proposal with alternative pricing and programme options is then prepared for your corporate team.
