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If there is a city that we can call the spiritual heart of Turkey, it is definitely Çanakkale. Especially in the First World War, Çanakkale, where a great heroic story was written, played a vital role in the liberation of our country . We have compiled Çanakkale, which has lands in the Marmara and Aegean Regions in the northwest of the Anatolian peninsula, and places to visit in Çanakkale for you.
Where is Çanakkale?
Çanakkale is located in the northwest of Turkey. Çanakkale, which has lands in both the Marmara and Aegean regions (most of which are located in the Marmara region), is a city with lands on the Gallipoli Peninsula and the Biga Peninsula. Çanakkale, which has lands in both Europe and Asia similar to Istanbul;
- Edirne and Tekirdag in the north
- Balikesir in the East
is adjacent to.
How to go to Çanakkale?
There are road, air and seaway options (partially) for transportation to Çanakkale, one of the most important historical and touristic cities of our country.
Transportation by Road : If you prefer to reach Çanakkale by road, you can reach Çanakkale with your private vehicle or you can easily reach it by using the services organized by the intercity bus companies in your city.
The distance of Çanakkale to some of our metropolitan cities and the estimated transportation times are as follows;
- The distance between Istanbul and Çanakkale is approximately 380 km, and the transportation time is approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes.
- The distance between Bursa and Çanakkale is approximately 275 km and the transportation time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- The distance between İzmir and Çanakkale is approximately 380 km, and the transportation time is approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes.
- The distance between Ankara and Çanakkale is approximately 740 km, and the transportation time is approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes.
Transportation by Air : Çanakkale Airport in the city is used for transportation to Çanakkale by air. It is possible to reach the city easily by using the airport, which is approximately 15 kilometers away from the city center. Flights from Istanbul to Çanakkale are very infrequent. There are daily flights from Ankara to Çanakkale.
Transportation by Sea : Unfortunately, direct transportation to Çanakkale by sea is not possible . For transportation to Çanakkale by sea, you can first use the ferries to Bandırma and then the bus companies operating between Bandırma and Çanakkale, which are arranged according to the ferry arrival times.
How Many Days to Visit Canakkale?
You should spare at least 3-4 days for a full tour of Çanakkale .
When to go to Çanakkale?
As we mentioned at the beginning of our article, Çanakkale has lands in the Marmara and Aegean regions. Therefore, it shows the characteristics of these two regions in terms of climate. The city, which has a rainy climate in winter and a hot climate in summer, is windy in both seasons. The most popular period of the city, which you can visit in all seasons , is between May and September .
Canakkale Attractions
Çanakkale, one of the most popular cities of its region, is a city where visitors flock to every season of the year with its rich history and natural beauties dating back thousands of years. Here is the list of places to visit in Çanakkale that we have prepared for you…
1. Çanakkale Martyrs’ Cemetery and Martyrs’ Monument
Çanakkale Martyrdom is at the top of the list of places to visit in Çanakkale. Çanakkale Martyrs’ Cemetery and Martyrs’ Monument, which was built in 1915 in memory of our martyrs who lost their lives in the Battle of Çanakkale during the First World War, is located in the Gallipoli Peninsula National Park.
The Martyrs Monument, whose foundation was laid in 1954, consists of 4 pillars and 1 dome. The monument, which is about 42 meters high, was inaugurated in 1960. Besides the Martyrs’ Monument, which must be visited by every Turkish citizen;
- Monument to Mustafa Kemal in Çanakkale
- Mehmetçik Monument
- Turkish Garden
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Turkish Cemetery
- Wounded Soldier Monument
exists.
2. Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park
Established in 1973, Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park is one of the places in Çanakkale that is visited by millions of local and foreign people every year. This national park, which is a specially protected area recognized by the United Nations, covers an area of 33,000 hectares.
In the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park, which has the graves and monuments of more than 250,000 British, French, Australian and New Zealand soldiers and more than 60,000 Turkish soldiers, there are also trenches, bastions and huge cannons where you can better understand the atmosphere of the war. It is inevitable to experience emotional moments when you visit the graves of our martyrs. If you want to camp with your tent or if you want to stay with your caravan in Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park, there are also special places for them.
3. Assos Ancient City
Assos is located in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale. Located just across the island of Lesbos and built in 900 BC, the Ancient City of Assos is visited by tens of thousands of people every year.
It is known that Aristotle, one of the famous philosophers of antiquity, lived in Assos Ancient City for 3 years and founded a philosophy school. From this point of view, it is possible to say that the ancient city of Assos was one of the cultural and artistic centers of its period. Fascinating its visitors with both its historical importance and natural beauties, Assos Ancient City, the famous Temple of Athena, which has survived to the present day, and the gigantic Ancient Theater are among the first places you should see.
As of 2022, Assos Ancient City entrance fee and visiting hours are as follows;
- Entry Fee : 50 TL
- Is the Museum Card Valid : If you have a Museum Card, you can visit it for free.
- Visiting Hours : You can visit every day of the week between 08:30 – 19:30.
4. Troy Ancient City (Troy)
The ancient city of Troy, located near the village of Tevfikiye, is among the most famous ancient cities in the world. It is estimated that the Ancient City of Troy, which was destroyed 9 times throughout history due to natural disasters, has a history of 5000 years (3000 BC). Discovered by a German archaeologist in the 1870s, the Ancient City of Troy was given the status of “National Park” in 1996 and entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. The ancient city, which was the scene of the Trojan War mentioned in Homer’s famous Iliad, is also known as Troy.
Just at the entrance of the city is the Troy Museum. Many works are exhibited in this museum. Unfortunately, many historical artifacts were also smuggled abroad.
You can find guided tours in the ancient city of Troy, which is among the places you must visit when you come to Çanakkale, and you can learn interesting information about the Trojan War.
As of 2022, the ancient city of Troy entrance fee and visiting hours are as follows;
- Entry Fee : 100 TL
- Is the Museum Card Valid : If you have a Museum Card, you can visit it for free.
- Visiting Hours : 08:30 – 19:30
5. Mirrored Bazaar
Aynalı Çarşı is one of Çanakkale’s oldest and most important bazaars, as well as one of the city’s landmarks. In 1890, II. Souvenirs are usually sold in the bazaar, which was built during the reign of Abdulhamid, similar to the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul. Aynalı Çarşı, which is visited by thousands of local and foreign tourists throughout the year, was restored in 2007 in accordance with its original form.
Aynalı Çarşı, which is also mentioned in the Çanakkale Folk Song (Aynalı Çarşı in Çanakkale, Mother I’m Going Against the Enemy), is a place worth seeing with its impressive architecture. Its arched door made of red stone and the keystone decorated with embossed flower patterns attract attention.
6. Çanakkale Kordon (Trojan Horse)
Çanakkale Kordon is one of the most popular sightseeing areas of the city. It will be very enjoyable to watch the sunset in the Kordon and especially to take evening walks with the magnificent sea view of the city. This is one of the first places that local and foreign tourists visit when they come to the city, because the “Trojan Horse”, one of the most famous symbols of Çanakkale, is located here.
7. Kilitbahir Castle (Kilid-ul Bahir)
Kilitbahir Castle (Kilid-ül Bahir), which means “Kilid-ul Bahir” in modern Turkish, is a castle built in 1452 on the European shore of the Dardanelles, in the narrowest part of the strait. The castle was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in order to prevent possible aid to the Byzantine army during the siege of Istanbul. It was restored and strengthened during the reigns of Suleiman the Magnificent and Sultan Abdulaziz.
The Kilitbahir Castle, which is shown as one of the most beautiful castles in Turkey, draws attention with its architecture. The biggest feature that makes the castle different from other castles is its seven-storey inner castle with the appearance of a 3-leaf clover. It is stated that there are different cells on each floor of the castle and it resembles a kind of labyrinth.
As of 2022, the entrance fee and visiting hours to Kilitbahir Castle are as follows;
- Entry Fee : 20 TL
- Is the Museum Card Valid : If you have a Museum Card, you can visit it for free. (not valid before 2020)
- Visiting Hours : 09:00 – 19:00
8. Çanakkale Clock Tower
Çanakkale Clock Tower, II. It is one of the many clock towers built during the reign of Abdulhamid. The Clock Tower, which was built in 1896, is among the most popular historical monuments with its aesthetic architecture. Çanakkale Clock Tower, located in the central part of the city where the heart beats, is 20 meters high. Ayvalık cut stone was used in the construction of the clock tower, which is illuminated in the evening and creates a wonderful view.
You should definitely add the Çanakkale Clock Tower, which is only a 10-minute walk from the Trojan Horse, among the places you must see during your Çanakkale trip.
9. Çanakkale Naval Museum
Another stop in Çanakkale Kordon Region is Çanakkale Naval Museum, which is only 5 minutes’ walk from the Clock Tower.
Çanakkale Naval Museum, which is one of the most important museums of the city that you should definitely visit in Çanakkale, is a military museum affiliated to the Naval Forces Command.
The main purpose of the Çanakkale Naval Museum, which was built in 1982, is to ensure that the struggle we fought in 1915 is passed down from generation to generation and that these memories are kept alive at all times. Çanakkale Naval Museum, which is one of the few museums in the world in terms of its collection diversity, has hundreds of objects such as the replica of the Nusret Mine Ship, historical medals, uniforms, ship weapons and cannons.
As of 2022, the entrance fee and visiting hours to Çanakkale Naval Museum are as follows;
- Entry Fee : Full 25 TL, Student Free
- Is Museum Card Valid : No, it is not valid.
- Visiting Hours : It is closed on New Year’s Day, the first day of religious holidays and Mondays. On other days, you can visit between 11:00 and 19:00.
10. Gokceada
Gökçeada, one of the 11 districts of Çanakkale, has the title of being Turkey’s largest island and the westernmost point of Turkey (see İnce Burun). Gökçeada, which is approximately 85 km from the city center, has a coastline of 91 km. Gökçeada, which is one of the favorite spots of sea holidays with its immaculate bays, is among the 11 calmest spots in Turkey.
Hosting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, Gökçeada stands out as one of the places that attract the most tourists around Çanakkale. Gökçeada, which also has Turkey’s first and only national underwater park, is also famous for its unique flavors (such as almond cookies, mastic custard). It is possible to easily reach Gökçeada by car ferry and sea busses every hour during the summer season.
11. Bozcaada
Bozcaada, another island town of Çanakkale, is approximately 75 km away from Çanakkale city centre. Bozcaada is the 3rd largest island in Turkey and the 2nd largest island in the Aegean Sea. Bozcaada, which is one of the popular destinations of summer holidays in particular, stands out with its delicious wines, sea tourism, wind farms and viticulture.
With its historical buildings, castle, island streets, wine factories, museum and beach, Bozcaada is also among the ideal spots for day trips. Many tourists also prefer Bozcaada to watch the sunset. If you have come to Bozcaada, do not return without witnessing the magnificent view of the sunset, especially in the Bozcaada Wind Roses region.
