Views of the Dardanelles Strait
Dardanelles Strait
Dardanelles Strait and Assos (Behramkale), Turkey
The Dardanelles Strait is a narrow sea passage in the province and city of Canakkale in western Turkey. It separates Europe from Asia, dividing the Gallipoli Peninsula and the coast of the Troad. In Turkish the strait is called Çanakkale Boğazı; in antiquity it was known as the Hellespont.
The Dardanelles link the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara and form part of the international route between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea via the Bosphorus. The strait is about 61 km long and 1.2 to 6 km wide. Strong surface and deep currents run here, so boat trips and crossings are organized with careful attention to navigation and weather.
The name is associated with the ancient city of Dardanos and the mythical hero Dardanus. In 480 BC Persian king Xerxes crossed the Hellespont with his army, and in 334 BC Alexander the Great began his campaign in Asia Minor here. In 1915 the Gallipoli Campaign took place on the shores of the strait - today the Gallipoli Peninsula hosts a historical park with memorials and museums.
For travelers this is a convenient, activity-rich destination: ferries run from Canakkale to Eceabat and Kilitbahir, and private and group boat tours are available. The Kilitbahir and Cimenlik forts have been preserved on the shores, and between Lapseki and Gallipoli the Canakkale 1915 Suspension Bridge has been in operation since 2022. Trips to the strait are often combined with tastings of local wines, including on the island of Bozcaada.
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The Dardanelles Strait is a narrow sea passage in the province and city of Canakkale in western Turkey. It separates Europe from Asia, dividing the Gallipoli Peninsula and the coast of the Troad. In Turkish the strait is called Çanakkale Boğazı; in antiquity it was known as the Hellespont.
The Dardanelles link the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara and form part of the international route between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea via the Bosphorus. The strait is about 61 km long and 1.2 to 6 km wide. Strong surface and deep currents run here, so boat trips and crossings are organized with careful attention to navigation and weather.
The name is associated with the ancient city of Dardanos and the mythical hero Dardanus. In 480 BC Persian king Xerxes crossed the Hellespont with his army, and in 334 BC Alexander the Great began his campaign in Asia Minor here. In 1915 the Gallipoli Campaign took place on the shores of the strait - today the Gallipoli Peninsula hosts a historical park with memorials and museums.
For travelers this is a convenient, activity-rich destination: ferries run from Canakkale to Eceabat and Kilitbahir, and private and group boat tours are available. The Kilitbahir and Cimenlik forts have been preserved on the shores, and between Lapseki and Gallipoli the Canakkale 1915 Suspension Bridge has been in operation since 2022. Trips to the strait are often combined with tastings of local wines, including on the island of Bozcaada.
Ferries, forts and museums on the strait's shores.
Canakkale ferries, the forts and the 1915 Bridge
The best introduction to the Dardanelles starts on the waterfronts of Canakkale, Eceabat and Kilitbahir: from here you can watch the shipping lane, pilot boats and the flow of vessels. The Canakkale - Eceabat and Canakkale - Kilitbahir ferry crossings operate daily, with tickets sold at the piers. On the opposite slope the famous inscription Dur Yolcu is clearly visible - a popular viewpoint overlooking the strait.
On the Asian shore stands the Cimenlik Fortress, also known as Kale-i Sultaniye, with a Naval Museum and an exhibition on the 1915 battles. On the European shore is Kilitbahir Fortress. Both fortification complexes were built in the 15th century under Sultan Mehmed II. The museum in Canakkale displays a replica of the minelayer Nusret, which played a key role in the defense of the strait.
The Canakkale 1915 Bridge opened on 18 March 2022; its main span is 2,023 m - one of the region's landmarks. For the best views visitors go to the waterfronts of Gallipoli and Lapseki, or climb nearby panoramic platforms. Boat tours operate on the water, but strict safety rules apply in the shipping lane, so choose licensed operators for excursions.
Near the strait are the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Park with memorials and war cemeteries, the Troy Museum near the village of Tevfikiye, and a wooden horse from the film Troy installed on the Canakkale waterfront. How to get there: the waterfront and piers are within easy walking distance from central Canakkale; from Assos (Behramkale) it's more convenient to arrive by car or by intercity bus to Canakkale.
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