'''Canakkale''' (pronounced ''chaa-nak-kaa-leh'') is a city in the Marmara Region of Turkey

Understand

The city is located on the south bank of Canakkale Bogazi Strait and is 320 km from Istanbul, 325 km from Izmir and 653 km from Ankara..

History

The city was called "Hellespontos" or "Dardanelles" in ancient times, and there has been evidence of a settlement in the Canakkale area since B.C. 3000. As the city is located near the Canakkale Strait, one of the two major water passages connecting the Mediterranean and Black Sea, the area is rich in history and culture. The site of the historical city of Troy is close to Canakkale.

During World War 1, Canakkale and the Canakkale Strait was the stage of a year-long battle between the United Kingdom, France and the Ottoman Empire. From April 1915 to January 1916, a joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul). The attempt failed, but not without heavy casualties on both sides.

Get in

By bus

There are buses from Istanbul at any time, day or night. Just go to ''otogar'', and look for 'Canakkale' signs on the windowpanes of bus company offices. The busy Canakkale bus station also has several daily connections with most major Turkish destinations, such as Edirne and Izmir.

By car

Either from the Anatolia (Asian part of Turkey) or the European side; the only way to get to Canakkale is by motorway. However, some private companies plan to arrange a flight schedule between Istanbul and Canakkale in the near future.

By boat

Passengers from Istanbul must be aware that, under bad weather conditions, the sea-traffic in the strait is limited or cancelled, and crossing the strait may become impossible.

By Plane

Turk?sh A?rl?nes has fl?ghts from Istanbul

Get around

See

  • '''Archaeological Museum''' (''Arkeoloji Muzesi'') ? on the highway to Izmir, it takes about 30 minutes to reach there from the harbour on foot, to go by minibuses is also possible.
  • '''Troy''' (''Truva'' or ''Troya'' in Turkish) ? an archaeological site about 30 km away.
  • Abydos. an ancient city where the story of Hero and Leander takes place

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

    One thing not to miss while in Canakkale is ''atom'', which is the usual ''doner'' in half a bread plus an omelette added in. There are lots of buffets making it in the cluster of shops located just across the street from ferry harbor. Totally local, so don't expect to find it in anywhere else.
  • Peynir Helvasi. a special dessert made of cheese, yolk, semolina and sugar. Husmenoglu is a patisserie famous with that dessert

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Otel Efes. etvane Sokak 5. 90 285 217 3256. 0 ytl. Small, clean and friendly hotel close to the ferry terminal. The owner has hosted the hotel over 20 years, all by herself!

  • Hotel Kervansaray. etvane Sokak 13. 17 8792. ww.hotelkervansaray.org. Nice hotel close to waterfront. Comfortable rooms, helpful staff and lovely courtyard.

    Budget

  • [http://www.anafartalarhotel.com Anafartalar Hotel], ?skele Meydan? 17100. Tel:''+90 286'' 217-4454
  • [http://www.anzachouse.com Anzac House], Cumhuriyet Meydan? N:61 17100. Tel:''+90 286 213-5969
  • Mid range

  • [http://www.kolinhotel.com Kolin Hotel], Kepez 17100. Tel:''+90 286 218-0808
  • [http://www.hotelakol.com Akol Hotel], Kayserili Ahmet Pa?a cad. Kordonboyu. Tel:''+90 286 217-9456
  • [http://www.truvaotel.com Buyuk Truva Hotel], Cevatpa?a mah.M.Akif Ersoy cad.No:2. Tel:''+90 286'' 217-1024
  • Splurge

    Get out

  • '''Gokceada''' (Imbros) and '''Bozcaada''' (Tenedos) ? two of the biggest islands of Turkey, also the only significant Turkish islands in the Aegean Sea, are nearby.
  • '''Gallipoli''' is on the opposite banks of Dardanelles Strait. Take a tour with Crowded House Hotel - they will meet you as you diemberk on the ferry in Eceabat
  • '''Assos''' (also known as '''Behramkale'''; about 100 km to south) is a historically-important, pleasant seaside village.