Must see attractions in Gallipoli Peninsula

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Set within the 33,500 hectares of the Gallipoli Peninsula, this historic site protects the cemeteries and battlefields of the Anzac campaign. There are currently 40 Allied war cemeteries at Gallipoli, and around 20 Turkish ones. The principal battles took place on the peninsula's western shore, around Anzac Cove (Anzac Koyu), 12km northwest of Eceabat, and in the hills east of the cove.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Lone Pine is perhaps the most moving of all the Anzac cemeteries. Australian forces captured the Turkish positions here on the afternoon of 6 August 1915. During the battle, which was staged in an area the size of a soccer field, more than 4000 men died and thousands more were injured.

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Reopened in 2019 as a museum focussing on Ottoman and maritime history, this sprawling castle was originally built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 and given a grand seven-storey interior tower a century later by Süleyman the Magnificent. It and Çimenlik Kalesi in Çanakkale ensured the Ottomans retained control of the Dardenelles. Don't miss ascending the interior tower for views of the storied waterway. A studio with VR headsets allows less mobile travellers to still experience the castle's interior and exhibitions.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Chunuk Bair (Conk Bayiri in Turkish) was the first objective of the Allied landing in April 1915, and is now the site of of this cemetery and memorial, and the Conkbayırı Atatürk Anıtı, a huge statue of the Turkish hero Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk), leader of the Ottoman 57th Regiment.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

On the morning of 7 August 1915, the 8th (Victorian) and 10th (Western Australian) Regiments of the third Light Horse Brigade vaulted out of their trenches at the Nek and into withering fire. They were cut down before they reached the enemy line. This episode was immortalised in Peter Weir's 1981 film Gallipoli.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Initial Anzac landing site on the ill-fated morning of 25 April 1915.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

If visiting Gallipoli independently, it's a good idea to start your tour at this high-tech museum roughly 1km east of the village of Kabatepe. It comprises 11 gallery rooms in which high-tech 3D simulation equipment takes the viewer on a historical journey through the Gallipoli naval and land campaigns, taking a predominantly Turkish point of view. Individual headsets allow visitors to choose their presentation language. Note that the simulations are extremely loud and are not suitable for young children. Bookings advisable.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

The rarely visited French cemetery is extremely moving, with rows of metal crosses and five white-concrete ossuaries each containing the bones of 3000 soldiers. French troops, including a regiment of Africans, successfully attacked Kumkale on the Asian shore in March 1915, then re-embarked and landed in support of their British comrades-in-arms at Cape Helles, where they were virtually wiped out.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Named after its height above sea level in feet, Baby 700 was the limit of the initial Allied attack, and the graves here are mostly dated 25 April. It's on the right from the access road to the Nek. Nearby is the Ottoman cannon called the Mesudiye Topu.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Near Kabatepe village, Brighton Beach was a favourite swimming spot for Anzac troops during the campaign. Today, this is the only officially sanctioned swimming spot on the peninsula.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Moving Turkish monument inscribed with Atatürk's famous words of peace and reconciliation spoken in 1934. After restoration in 2017, it was reinstated in its original position.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

This British memorial is a commanding stone obelisk erected in honour of the 20,000-plus Britons and Australians who perished in this area and have no known graves.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

The Düztepe Monument marks the spot where the Ottoman 10th Regiment held the line. Views of the Dardanelles and the surrounding countryside are superb from here.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Allied cemetery 200m from Lone Pine cemetery, accessed by a road that marks what was the thin strip of no-man's land between the Turkish and Allied trenches.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Mehmetçiğe Derin Saygı Anıtı is dedicated to 'Mehmetçik' (Little Mehmet, the Turkish 'tommy' or 'digger'), who carried a Kiwi soldier to safety.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

North Beach commemorative site to Anzac troops where dawn services are held on Anzac Day (25 April) and site of the oft-photographed Anzac monument.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Cemetery a short drive north along the coastal road from Brighton Beach. More than 300 Australian, British and New Zealand soldiers are buried here.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

This gigantic stone structure, also known as the Abide (Monument), was built to commemorate Turkish soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

Allied cemetery at the southern tip of the peninsula. 'V' Beach was a landing spot as part of the two-pronged initial Allied attack in 1915.

Sights in Gallipoli Peninsula

The Conkbayırı Atatürk Anıt is a huge statue of the Turkish hero, Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk), leader of the Ottoman 57th Regiment.