Dardanelles Strait
Dardanelles Strait and Assos (Behramkale), Turkey - history and routes
The Dardanelles Strait is located in northwestern Turkey, in Canakkale Province, and separates the European Gallipoli Peninsula from the Asian coast of the Troad. It is a narrow sea passage between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara, forming part of the route that continues through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. In Turkish, the strait is known as Canakkale Bogazi, and in antiquity it was called the Hellespont.
The Dardanelles are important not only as a shipping corridor, but also as a prominent natural landmark of the region. The strait is about 61 km long, and its width varies from approximately 1.2 to 6 km. These waters are characterized by strong currents and active vessel traffic, so coastal viewpoints are especially interesting for those who want to observe a major maritime route up close.
Different eras of history are associated with the strait. Ancient authors mentioned it in connection with the campaigns of the Persian king Xerxes and Alexander the Great, and in the 20th century the Dardanelles area and the Gallipoli Peninsula became the site of the Dardanelles Campaign of 1915-1916. Today, military memorials, cemeteries, and museums on both sides of the strait commemorate those events.
For travelers, the Dardanelles are appealing for their combination of scenery, history, and convenient routes around Canakkale. A trip here is often combined with visits to Troy, the fortresses of Kilitbahir and Cimenlik, as well as a ferry crossing between the shores. If you are staying in Assos - Behramkale, you usually travel to the strait via Canakkale, from where it is easiest to see it in the urban area and continue the route to the region’s historic sites.
Dardanelles Strait on the map
Dardanelles Strait: viewpoints, ferries, and coastal routes
Waterfronts and crossings give a sense of the scale of the strait.
A shipping passage between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara
The best way to get acquainted with the Dardanelles is from the waterfronts of Canakkale and during a short ferry crossing of the strait. From the water, the outlines of both shores, Kilitbahir Fortress on the European side, and Cimenlik Fortress near Canakkale are clearly visible. In clear weather, it is especially noticeable how narrow the strait can be in certain sections and how intense the maritime traffic is here.
The coastal areas of the city of Canakkale are well suited for a walk, where you can watch cargo ships, ferries, and private boats pass by. Swimming in the strait itself is not among the main leisure activities because of the currents and navigation conditions, but a trip on the water gives a good sense of its scale and the relief of the shores. The crossing also allows quick access to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where memorial sites connected with the events of the First World War are concentrated.
If you have more time, the route can conveniently be expanded with a trip to the archaeological site of Troy, a visit to the Gallipoli memorials, or a drive across the 1915 Canakkale Bridge, which connects the shores south of the urban section of the strait. On the Asian side, viewpoints along the coast are of interest, while on the European side, historic fortifications and military cemeteries draw attention.
The most convenient way to get there is via the city of Canakkale: intercity buses arrive here, and then you continue on foot along the waterfront, by ferry, or by car. From Assos - Behramkale, you usually first travel to Canakkale, from where the most accessible and illustrative route to the Dardanelles begins.
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