Canakkale

Canakkale sits on the Asian shore of the Dardanelles — the narrow strait connecting the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara — at one of the most historically loaded locations on earth. The Trojan War was fought 30km to the south. The Gallipoli campaign was fought 30km to the north across the water. The Persian king Xerxes crossed the Dardanelles here on a bridge of boats in 480 BC. Mehmed II crossed the other way to prepare the siege of Constantinople. Alexander the Great crossed from Macedonia to Asia here in 334 BC and began his conquest.

Canakkale is a lively university town with a waterfront promenade and a strong café culture, serving as the gateway to both Gallipoli and Troy.

The Gallipoli Battlefields

The Gallipoli peninsula on the European shore of the Dardanelles is where the Allied campaign of 1915-16 took place — the attempt to open a supply route to Russia and knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. Over 500,000 casualties on all sides. The campaign is central to national identity in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and to a lesser degree the UK, France, and Canada.

The battlefields are preserved as a national park. The main sites are: Anzac Cove (where the Australian and New Zealand troops landed), Lone Pine Cemetery (the main Anzac memorial), Chunuk Bair (New Zealand memorial), the Nek, and the Turkish memorial at Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial on the tip of the peninsula.

ANZAC Day (April 25): The dawn service at Anzac Cove draws 10,000 to 20,000 Australians and New Zealanders annually. It is an extraordinary, moving ceremony. Registration and advance planning are required.

Practical: The battlefields are on the European side of the Dardanelles. Take the ferry from Canakkale to Eceabat (25 min), then hire a car or join a tour. The Gallipoli National Park visitor centre near Kabatepe is a good starting point. Allow a full day for a thorough visit.

Ancient Troy (Truva)

The archaeological site of Troy is 30km south of Canakkale. Homer’s Troy, if it existed, was here — and most modern archaeologists believe it did. The site has nine occupation layers spanning 3,000 years (Troy I through Troy IX). The visible ruins are complicated and require context to appreciate: the Troy VI/VIIa layer (the probable Homeric Troy of around 1200 BC) is identifiable but fragmentary.

The museum at the site (opened 2018) is excellent and provides the context the ruins cannot. The famous replica wooden horse at the entrance is a crowd-pleaser rather than historically relevant but children appreciate it.

Practical: 30km south of Canakkale (30-40 min by dolmus or taxi). Open daily 8am to 7pm. Entrance approximately 400 TRY including museum. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Canakkale Town

The waterfront kordon of Canakkale is pleasant and lively — cafes, restaurants, and the clock tower in the main square. The Çimenlik Castle (1452, built by Mehmed II) is on the waterfront. The small military museum inside covers the Dardanelles campaign.

The town has a young, university population and is more cosmopolitan than its provincial size suggests.

Best Time to Visit

April to June for the most comfortable weather and the ANZAC Day commemorations. September and October for post-summer quiet and good weather. Avoid July and August when the ferry queues and accommodation fill with domestic tourists.