The site of a major World War I battle, the Gallipoli peninsula in eastern Turkey makes for a memorable excursion from Istanbul.
(Photo: GetYourGuide)
About a 4-hour drive from the Turkish capital, Gallipoli is a fascinating place to visit, particularly for those with an interest in the Great War. Dotted with museums, monuments and landmarks, it’s best explored in the company of an expert guide who can shed light on the area’s tumultuous history. There are a wide number of tours of Gallipoli that start in Istanbul, ranging from day trips through to adventures lasting several nights. Here are three of the best below.
Gallipoli Full-Day Tour from Istanbul (1 day)
This immersive all-day group tour invites visitors to explore some of the most prominent spots in Gallipoli, including the battlefields of the Allied Forces and the war memorials that commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives here. Departing early morning from Istanbul on an air-conditioned minibus, you and your fellow tour guests will stop in the small town of Eceabat on the eastern shore of the Gallipoli for a hearty restaurant lunch (inclusive) before moving on to the peninsula’s main sites of interest. Over the course of the day, you’ll visit 11 different historical landmarks while your expert guide offers insights and stories to help inform your visit. The tour price also includes hotel pick-up and drop-off in the Taksim and Sultanahmet districts of Istanbul. From $113 per person.
ANZAC Day Gallipoli Tours (5 days)
(Photo: Hugh Llewelyn via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
While it’s entirely possible to see Gallipoli in a single day, there’s no doubt that a more extended trip allows you to experience more and in a less rushed fashion. Starting and ending in Istanbul, this 5-day tour invites travellers to take in the rich history of Gallipoli before spending time in the capital city. The tour starts with an airport transfer to a local Istanbul hotel where you’ll meet your guide and other group members. The next day, you’ll be transported to Gallipoli where you’ll spend two full days. Among the main highlights during your time here will be attending the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. On day three, you’ll return to Istanbul late afternoon, followed by a full day of exploration of the capital, with the tour coming to a close the next day after breakfast. From $1,001 per person.
Magical Turkey Tour from Istanbul (7 days)
(Photo: Tourradar)
If you have the time – and budget – for an even longer adventure, this 7-day tour, which includes a full day in Gallipoli, may well tick the right boxes. The tour kicks off with an early morning bus departure from Istanbul to Gallipoli, where you’ll stock up on energy with a local lunch before hitting some of the area’s key sites, including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu, Johnston’s Jolly and Chunuk Bair. Over the following six days, you’ll visit some of Turkey’s most important places of interest, including the ancient cities of Troy and Pergamum, the Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – in Ephesus, the town of Pamukkale Hierapolis, known for its thermal waters, and the distinctive rock-formations of North Cappadocia. The tour finishes with a flight back to Istanbul and hotel drop-off. From $2,729 per person.