Day 3: Gallipoli
On day 3 of your ultimate itinerary for one week in Turkey, it’s time to leave Istanbul and start driving. Drive south-east to the Gallipoli peninsula. The drive takes about 4 hours from Istanbul, depending how much traffic there is getting out of Istanbul. If you need a stop along the way, the gas stations in Turkey are excellent. They have really clean toilets, and a wide selection of snacks and drinks to buy. You can stop at a gas station for lunch, so then you can arrive in the Gallipoli area in the early afternoon.
Gallipoli WW1 memorials and beaches
The Gallipoli Campaign was a major battle in the First World War. It was fought between April 1915 and January 1916, was one of the most significant and tragic episodes of World War I, taking place on the Gallipoli Peninsula in north-western Turkey. The Allied powers – primarily Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand – launched the campaign in an attempt to seize control of the Dardanelles Strait. They aimed to open a sea route to Russia, and knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The initial naval assault failed, leading to a massive amphibious landing that met fierce resistance from Ottoman forces under the command of Mustafa Kemal, later known as Atatürk. The terrain, disease, and brutal trench warfare turned the campaign into a prolonged and bloody stalemate.
Gallipoli holds deep national significance for several countries. There were over half a million casualties, with the Allies eventually withdrawing. For Turkey, it was a defining moment of resilience and military leadership, laying the groundwork for the emergence of the modern Turkish Republic. For Australia and New Zealand, the campaign is commemorated annually on ANZAC Day, on 25th April.
Today, you can visit some of the key sites of battles, and also memorials to the soldiers of both sides who fought and lost their lives there.
The key memorial sites to visit in Gallipoli
Start your day at ANZAC Cove. ANZAC Cove was the landing site of Australian and New Zealand troops on 25 April 1915. Today, it’s a beautifully peaceful beach, with memorials and a beach cemetary to the fallen soldiers. Take some time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity, while reflecting on the tragic events that took place here.
Next, head to the memorial letter from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It was written in 1934, and is a deeply moving tribute to the foreign soldiers, particularly the ANZACs, who died during the Gallipoli Campaign. It is inscribed on a large stone at the ANZAC memorial site in Gallipoli. It’s a really powerful and moving gesture of post-war reconciliation.
More cemeteries and memorials
The Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial is another really moving place to visit. This cemetary and memorial honours the Australian troops who lost their lives in the conflict, and marks the site of intense fighting. It’s one of the most visited cemeteries on the peninsula.
I found it really moving to just walk amongst the graves and see the inscribed messages from families. It really brings home the human sacrifice – the mothers who lost their sons in the war.
You can also walk a short distance to see the remains of some of the trenches that were used in the war. Again, it’s a poignant reminder of the intense suffering and trauma that this beautiful part of Turkey was once witness to.
Finally, visit the Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial (Cape Helles). It’s a towering monument honouring all Turkish soldiers who died in the campaign. The graves here are different, inscribed only with the first name of the solider, then ‘son of…’, as was custom at the time.
The Gallipoli peninsula war memorials are a must-visit when you have one week in Turkey. It’s not the easiest place to visit. I found it emotional, especially the personal inscriptions carved on the headstones in the cemeteries. But I’m so glad I went.
If you don’t have a car, you can book a full day tour of Gallipoli here (affiliate). Or you can take this full day tour of Gallipoli that includes transports from Istanbul (affiliate).
Get to Cannakkale in evening
After spending several hours around the Gallipoli Peninsula, it was time to head to the overnight stop for the night. The coastal town of Cannakkale is a lively, fun city and a great base for the night. You’ll need to take the car ferry across to Cannakkale, which gives beautiful views across the water.
An evening in Cannakkale
When you get to Cannakkale, head straight for the Trojan Horse statue. It’s along the seafront in the centre of the town. This is the statue of the Trojan Horse that was used in the 2004 film starring Brad Pitt.
The views across the water in the evening are lovely as well. It’s a nice place to walk, and it feels safe and lively all evening.
Enjoy some fresh sea food for dinner. I recommend the sea food restaurant called Sea Side. It serves the best sea bass I’ve had in a long time. Enjoying the fresh fish with a glass of local Turkish white wine was the perfect ending to another day in Turkey.
Day 4: Troy
On day 4 of your one week in Turkey, it’s time to explore some of Turkey’s ancient historical sights. The ancient city of Troy is just a short drive from Cannakkale. So it’s the perfect place to visit in the morning.
The history and mythology of Troy
The mythology of Troy is detailed in Homer’s Iliad, an ancient Greek poem. The myth around Troy begins with the fateful judgment of Paris, a Trojan prince tasked with choosing the fairest goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. He awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite, who promised him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world – Helen, queen of Sparta. Paris’s abduction (or seduction) of Helen sparked outrage across Greece, leading King Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon to rally a coalition of Greek forces and launch a massive expedition to retrieve her. This act ignited the legendary Trojan War, a ten-year war between the Trojans and the Greeks.
The tale of the Trojan Horse is one of the most enduring symbols of cunning in Greek mythology. After years of siege, the Greeks devised a deceptive strategy: they built a massive wooden horse and hid a select group of warriors inside, presenting it as a peace offering to the Trojans. Believing the war was over, the Trojans brought the horse into their fortified city and celebrated their apparent victory. That night, the hidden Greeks emerged, opened the city gates, and allowed the Greek army to enter and conquer Troy.
The history of Troy
For years, Troy was believed to just be a mythical city that only existed in mythology. But that changed in the 19th century. Heinrich Schliemann, a German businessman turned archaeologist, began excavating at Hisarlik in northwestern Turkey in 1870. There, he unearthed layers of ancient settlements, eventually identifying one as the possible site of Troy. Though his methods were crude and controversial (he destroyed valuable upper layers in his haste to reach what he believed was Homer’s Troy), his work sparked global interest and laid the foundation for modern archaeological work. Subsequent excavations deepened our understanding of Troy’s actual history, revealing a city that had been rebuilt multiple times over millennia. So the Troy of today is a blend of mythology and history – with an actual city of Troy, and evidence of battle, being found.
Visiting Troy in Turkey
It’s fascinating to walk around the site that is believed to be the city of Troy. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted by the famous Trojan Horse statue – a reminded of the mythological importance of this area.
Inside the archaeological site, you can follow well-marked walkways that take you around the main excavations. Some parts of the city are a little underwhelming, with only a few parts of walls to see. But other parts are much more impressive. There are areas where you can clearly see the different levels of the city, as it was rebuilt several times.
And there are some well preserved areas, such as the impressive ramp up to the city walls, and also a Roman-era theatre thought to have been built in the later phases of Troy.
If you don’t have a car or if you want to learn more about Troy, you can take this tour of Troy (affiliate). Or this fantastic option includes a tour of both Gallipoli and Troy (affiliate).
Lunch and sea views in Ayvalik
After spending a couple of hours in Troy, it’s time to head back onto the road for a long drive. Your destination in the evening is the town of Selcuk. It’s a 4.5 – 5 hour drive from Troy, so it’s quite a long drive.
Make your first stop in the town of Ayvalik. It’s about 2 hours from Troy, so it makes the perfect lunch stop.
Ayvalik is a pretty town, with a lovely sea front. It’s nice to just walk along the water and enjoy the views.
For lunch, head to Sultan restaurant to try the famous Ayvalik toast. It’s a toasted sandwich named after this town – so this town is the best place to try it. You can get various fillings, including meat, cheese, pickles, tomatoes and more. I really enjoyed it – the bread is so soft and fresh, and the sandwich fillings are delicious. And of course, it goes perfectly with a cup of cay (Turkish tea).
After having lunch in Ayvalik, continue the drive on to Selcuk. Take as many stops as you want in Turkey’s excellent quality gas stations, which have clean toilets and plenty of drinks and snacks. It’s a fairly long drive, but it felt worth it to be in Selcuk and right next to Ephesus for the next day.
Dinner in Selcuk
Head out to one of Selcuk’s excellent restaurants for dinner when you arrive. I recommend trying the lamb shish kebab at Old House Eski EV Restaurant. It’s a traditional Turkish meal that’s perfect after a long day of sightseeing and driving.
Keep reading on the next page for day 5 onwards, with a visit to Ephesus and then onto the stunning Cappadocia for the highlight of the trip.