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Çanakkale

If you thought Çanakkale was worth visiting only as a launching point for Gallipoli's battlefields, think again. The presence of the highly regarded Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University endows this small city with a sizeable student population that loves nothing more than to eat, drink and party in the atmospheric cobbled lanes around the saat kulesi (clock tower; 1897) and along the sweeping kordon (waterfront promenade). Joining their revelries is a highlight of any visit.

The undisputed hub of the region, Çanakkale is replete with mythological associations. It was from the ancient town of Abydos immediately north that Leander swam across the Hellespont every night to see his love, Hero; and it was in the Dardanelles that Helle, the daughter of Athamas, was drowned in the legend of the Golden Fleece, giving the waterway its ancient name. Close by are the remnants of ancient Troy, immortalised by Homer in his epic poem the Iliad.

Explore Çanakkale

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Dardanelles Straits Naval Command Museum
At the southern end of the kordon (waterfront promenade), a park lies dotted with guns, cannons and military artefacts. Near the park entrance is this…
Ç
Çanakkale'nin Evlatları
Located right on Çanakkale's waterfront, this compact installation combines black and white battle footage and contemporary interviews to tell the story…
K
Kent Müzesi
The lives of Çanakkale's residents since Ottoman times are the focus of this small museum, which has drawn on oral histories for the content of many of…
Ç
Çimenlik Kalesi
This compact castle was built by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, and is now a small military museum containing exhibits on the Gallipoli battles…
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Nusrat Mine-Layer
Board the replica of the Nusrat mine-layer, which played a significant role in the Çanakkale Naval Victory. Admission is included in the ticket for the…
T
Trojan Horse
Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 movie Troy had a big impact on the Çanakkale region, including boosting visitor numbers to the archaeological site and endowing…
K
Korfmann Library
Housed in a 19th-century former school in the old town, this library opposite the Tıflı Camii was the bequest of the late Manfred Osman Korfmann (1945…
C
Clock Tower
The five-storey Ottoman saat kulesi (clock tower) near the harbour was built in 1897. It was paid for by an Italian consul and Çanakkale merchant who left…
Y
Yalı Camii
Located in Çanakkale's old town, and built by Tavil Ahmet Ağa in 1884. Open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Adjacent is an atmospheric Muslim cemetery.

D
Dardanelles Straits Naval Command Museum
At the southern end of the kordon (waterfront promenade), a park lies dotted with guns, cannons and military artefacts. Near the park entrance is this…
Ç
Çanakkale'nin Evlatları
Located right on Çanakkale's waterfront, this compact installation combines black and white battle footage and contemporary interviews to tell the story…
K
Kent Müzesi
The lives of Çanakkale's residents since Ottoman times are the focus of this small museum, which has drawn on oral histories for the content of many of…
Ç
Çimenlik Kalesi
This compact castle was built by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, and is now a small military museum containing exhibits on the Gallipoli battles…
N
Nusrat Mine-Layer
Board the replica of the Nusrat mine-layer, which played a significant role in the Çanakkale Naval Victory. Admission is included in the ticket for the…
T
Trojan Horse
Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 movie Troy had a big impact on the Çanakkale region, including boosting visitor numbers to the archaeological site and endowing…
K
Korfmann Library
Housed in a 19th-century former school in the old town, this library opposite the Tıflı Camii was the bequest of the late Manfred Osman Korfmann (1945…
C
Clock Tower
The five-storey Ottoman saat kulesi (clock tower) near the harbour was built in 1897. It was paid for by an Italian consul and Çanakkale merchant who left…
Y
Yalı Camii
Located in Çanakkale's old town, and built by Tavil Ahmet Ağa in 1884. Open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Adjacent is an atmospheric Muslim cemetery.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Çanakkale.

See
Dardanelles Straits Naval Command Museum
At the southern end of the kordon (waterfront promenade), a park lies dotted with guns, cannons and military artefacts. Near the park entrance is this…
See
Çanakkale'nin Evlatları
Located right on Çanakkale's waterfront, this compact installation combines black and white battle footage and contemporary interviews to tell the story…
See
Kent Müzesi
The lives of Çanakkale's residents since Ottoman times are the focus of this small museum, which has drawn on oral histories for the content of many of…
See
Çimenlik Kalesi
This compact castle was built by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, and is now a small military museum containing exhibits on the Gallipoli battles…
See
Nusrat Mine-Layer
Board the replica of the Nusrat mine-layer, which played a significant role in the Çanakkale Naval Victory. Admission is included in the ticket for the…
See
Trojan Horse
Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 movie Troy had a big impact on the Çanakkale region, including boosting visitor numbers to the archaeological site and endowing…
See
Korfmann Library
Housed in a 19th-century former school in the old town, this library opposite the Tıflı Camii was the bequest of the late Manfred Osman Korfmann (1945…
See
Clock Tower
The five-storey Ottoman saat kulesi (clock tower) near the harbour was built in 1897. It was paid for by an Italian consul and Çanakkale merchant who left…
See
Yalı Camii
Located in Çanakkale's old town, and built by Tavil Ahmet Ağa in 1884. Open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Adjacent is an atmospheric Muslim cemetery.

Guidebooks

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