Ancient Troy Group Tour
€190.00
Destination Guide
About Gallipoli
The Gallipoli Peninsula, protected today as a historical site, is where the Gallipoli campaign of 1915, known in Türkiye as the Battles of Çanakkale, was fought. After the Allied fleet failed to force the Dardanelles on March 18, troops landed on April 25, and months of fighting followed in which tens of thousands died on both sides. For Turks, the defense of Çanakkale holds a central place in national memory, and for Australians and New Zealanders it is a defining chapter of the Anzac story. Today, pine forests and quiet bays surround cemeteries and memorials that invite quiet reflection.
Most visits to the peninsula run as half-day or full-day trips from Çanakkale or Eceabat, while long day tours from İstanbul leave before dawn and return late at night. Typical routes include the Kabatepe visitor center, Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, the 57th Regiment Memorial, Seddülbahir and the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial. The landscape tells its story best with a guide who knows the ground well. Choose a full-day tour to cover both the northern Anzac sector and the southern Helles front. TurTalebi lets you compare battlefield tours from local firms and book securely by card.
Tours and Activities
Gallipoli Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
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Highlights
Top Things to See
01
Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial
Rising on Hisarlık Hill above Morto Bay at the peninsula's southern tip, this four-legged monument honors the Turkish soldiers who fell in the campaign. The symbolic cemetery around it is one of the most moving stops on any visit.
02
Anzac Cove (Arıburnu)
Australian and New Zealand troops came ashore here on the morning of April 25, 1915, and the cove is now a place of pilgrimage for visitors from both countries. The nearby cemeteries and commemorative site have a deeply peaceful atmosphere.
03
Chunuk Bair (Conkbayırı)
Scene of some of the campaign's fiercest fighting in August 1915, Chunuk Bair holds a statue of Mustafa Kemal, the New Zealand memorial and several cemeteries. The hilltop views reach across both sides of the peninsula.
04
Kabatepe Visitor Center
The Çanakkale Epic Promotion Center at Kabatepe uses simulation halls and multimedia displays to explain the campaign step by step. Visiting before you tour the battlefields makes the fronts much easier to follow.
05
57th Regiment Memorial
This memorial cemetery honors the soldiers of the 57th Infantry Regiment, who held the line under Mustafa Kemal's command on April 25. It is one of the most visited Turkish sites on the peninsula.
06
Seddülbahir and Cape Helles
At the southern tip of the peninsula, Seddülbahir was one of the main Allied landing areas on April 25. The Ottoman fortress, the Helles Memorial and nearby cemeteries tell the story of the southern front.
Planning
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
April to June and September to October bring the most comfortable weather for exploring, with mild temperatures and green landscapes. The busiest times are the March 18 commemorations of Martyrs' Day and the naval victory, and the Anzac Day dawn service on April 25, so plan accommodation and transport well ahead for those dates. Summers are hot with little shade, while winters are cool and windy but offer quiet, reflective visits.
Getting There
From Çanakkale, a short car ferry crosses the Dardanelles to Eceabat or Kilitbahir, and the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge between Lapseki and Gelibolu offers a road link. From İstanbul, the drive via Tekirdağ and Keşan takes about four to five hours. The battlefields are spread over a large area, so a guided tour or rental car is the most practical way to get around. Eceabat is a main starting point for tours and a convenient place to stay.
Practical Tips
- The cemeteries and memorials are sacred sites, so keep your voice low, never step on graves and dress respectfully.
- The peninsula is spread out and often exposed, so bring water, a hat and comfortable walking shoes.
- If you plan to attend the March 18 or April 25 ceremonies, check access arrangements and security rules well in advance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Tours from Çanakkale or Eceabat usually last a half or full day. Half-day tours tend to focus on the northern Anzac sector around Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair, while full-day tours add Seddülbahir and the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial. Tours from İstanbul make for a very long day including travel.
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Each year a dawn service attended by thousands is held at the Anzac Commemorative Site near Anzac Cove, followed by services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Expect strict security and access arrangements around the date.
On March 18, 1915, the Allied fleet's attempt to force its way through the Dardanelles was defeated by the Ottoman defenses. Türkiye marks the date as Martyrs' Day and the anniversary of the Çanakkale naval victory, with official ceremonies held each year at the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial.
Yes, day tours from İstanbul are available, but the drive takes about four to five hours each way, so they start very early and return late. For a more relaxed visit, spend a night in Çanakkale or Eceabat and join a local tour the next day.
Yes, you can drive yourself between the cemeteries and memorials, which are signposted. But a knowledgeable guide makes a big difference in understanding where the fronts lay and how events unfolded. If you go independently, start at the visitor center at Kabatepe.
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