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4 cities
Province · Costa do Egeu
Çanakkale
Çanakkale lies on both sides of the Dardanelles Strait: Troy and Assos in Asia, the Gallipoli memorials in Europe, and the islands of Bozcaada and Gökçeada in the Aegean.
In the photo: Kilitbahir Castle and the Dardanelles Strait, Çanakkale
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Çanakkale
Çanakkale is the province of the Dardanelles Strait, the passage between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Most of it lies in Asia, where the capital is; the Gallipoli peninsula, with Eceabat and Gelibolu, is on the European side.
Near the capital, the archaeological site of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, shows layers of cities built one on top of another over millennia, and the Troy Museum displays the finds. Further south, Assos (Behramkale) has the Temple of Athena on a hill above the sea, facing the island of Lesbos.
On the Gallipoli peninsula, the battlefields of 1915 and 1916 have been turned into a historical park, with Turkish memorials and memorials from the countries that fought there, such as Anzac Cove and the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial. On both sides of the strait, the 15th-century castles of Kilitbahir and Çimenlik guard the narrowest part of the passage.
Bozcaada is an island of vineyards, with a castle and old houses in the town center, and Gökçeada, Turkey's largest island, has villages of Greek origin. Kazdağı, Mount Ida, stretches between Çanakkale and Balıkesir.
On the table, Ezine white cheese and peynir helvası, a cheese sweet, as well as Bozcaada wines. The Çanakkale 1915 Bridge spans the strait between Lapseki and Gelibolu.
Destinations
1 destination in Çanakkale
Cities
4 cities in Çanakkale in the guide
Çanakkale
Capital
Çanakkale
Çanakkale lies on the Asian shore of the Dardanelles and serves as a base for Troy and its museum. The Çimenlik castle marks the central waterfront. On the other side of the strait, the Gallipoli peninsula on the European side has memorials and historic fields, which require allowing time for crossings and road travel.
Çanakkale
Assos (Behramkale)
Behramkale é a vila junto à antiga Assos, na costa asiática do Egeu. A acrópole e os vestígios do templo de Atena ocupam o alto, enquanto a costa fica abaixo, em outro nível. O programa combina arqueologia e paisagem e exige considerar as subidas, mesmo quando as distâncias parecem curtas.
Çanakkale
Bozcaada
Bozcaada is an Aegean island known in Antiquity as Tenedos. The castle is visible on arrival, next to the port and the streets of traditional houses. Vineyard culture shapes the island landscape, while the town center allows for an independent walk before choosing excursions to other parts of the coast.
Çanakkale
Eceabat
Eceabat is on the Gallipoli peninsula, on the European shore of the Dardanelles. It is a practical base for Anzac Cove, the campaign memorials and Kilitbahir. The sites are spread across the peninsula, so the town’s small scale does not reflect the extent of the historic circuit.
When to go
April to June and September to October are usually the best times for Troy, Assos and Gallipoli, with milder temperatures. For Bozcaada and Gökçeada, the season runs from June to September, and the grape harvest in Bozcaada is at the end of summer. On April 25, the ANZAC Day ceremonies at Gallipoli draw many visitors.
Getting there
Çanakkale Airport (CKZ) has domestic flights; check the routes. Most travelers arrive via Istanbul and continue by bus across the Çanakkale 1915 Bridge or via the Thrace highway. Confirm before you buy. Ferries cross the strait between the city of Çanakkale and Eceabat or Kilitbahir. For Bozcaada, ferries depart from Geyikli; for Gökçeada, from Kabatepe.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Çanakkale
How many days should I set aside for Çanakkale?
Two to three days: one for Troy and the city, another for the Gallipoli memorials on the other side of the strait. With more time you can include Assos and an overnight in Bozcaada.
How do I cross to Gallipoli?
By ferry, from the city of Çanakkale to Eceabat or Kilitbahir, or by car via the Çanakkale 1915 Bridge farther north. The memorials are spread across the peninsula, and a car or an organized tour makes visiting easier.
Is the Trojan Horse that appears in photos ancient?
No. The wooden horse at the Troy site is a replica made for visitors, and another one used in the film Troy stands on the waterfront of the city of Çanakkale. The archaeological site shows the walls and the layers of the cities that once stood there.
Is it worth staying overnight in Bozcaada?
Yes, if you want more than a day trip: the island has vineyards, beaches on the south coast and a town center of old houses beside the castle. Ferries depart from Geyikli; in summer, check schedules and the car queue.