Canakkale

Çanakkale is a town in Turkey, on the southern (Asian) coast of the Dardanelles. Çanakkale Province has territory in both Europe and Asia. Ferries cross here to the northern (European) side of the strait.

The small Archaeological Museum features headstones and tablets in the gardens, collections of coins and glassware, items excavated from Troy and the surrounding areas, a sarcophagi of a girl and a small statuette of Aphrodite, made of baked clay.

The Kilitbahir and the Cimenlik Fortresses are built on opposite shores. Cimenlik has been converted to a military museum.

Gelibolu Peninsula Historical National Park was built to honour the martyrs of the Gallipoli wars. The park contains several memorials, monuments and cemeteries, nestled in beautiful surroundings. Anzac cove, located in the Gallipoli peninsula, is the place where the Australian and New Zealand soldiers started their first attempt to invade this peninsula. There are several war memorials of foreign soldiers and also the Ataturk Memorial.

The most popular excursion from Canakkale is a visit to Troy, the ancient city in what is now north-western Turkey. Today it is an archaeological site, excavations dating back to the 1870's, discovered civilisations dating back 5,000 years. Troy is also a Turkish national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "wooden horse" from the 2004 movie Troy is exhibited on the seafront.

Assos is home to the ruins of the Temple of Athena, built on top of a trachyte crag. From the temple, on a clear day, it is possible to see nearby Lesbos in the south, Pergamum in the southeast and Mount Ida of Phrygia in the east.

Bozcaada island is located 12 miles from the Çanakkale Strait. Regular passenger ferries depart for the island, where you will find some lovely beaches such as the popular Ayazma Beach, the quieter Habbele Beach and Mermer Burnu (Aquarium Cove), where the water is crystal clear.

Canakkale is known for its variety of fish as well as the Turkish Doner kebab. A speciality of Canakkale is 'bomba', a döner in bread with an omelette added in. Peynir Helvasi is a popular dessert made of cheese, yolk, semolina and sugar.

Cruise ships dock at the port in Kepez. The cruise terminal is around 3km away from the centre of town and most cruiselines will offer a shuttle service.

There is a Tourist Information office a few metres from ferryboat station (on the right if you are coming from the ferry). Free tourist maps of Çanakkale and the surrounding areas as well as schedules of the minibuses to Troy and ferries to Bozcaada can be obtained from here.

Taxis and dolmus minibuses are available, the latter departing when full and passengers are generally dropped off en-route at desired locations.