For an extraordinary holiday in the Aegean, you will no doubt want to enjoy the sea, sand and sun at the same time. With its combination of history and nature, Çanakkale will take your holiday dreams to another dimension. How would you like to take a short trip to a place where you can be in both the Marmara and the Aegean at the same time and observe the ways in which history is integrated into the sea?
Assos
Located in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale, Assos is the host of thousands of years of history. Founded on the summit of a volcanic hill, the Ancient City of Assos was under the rule of Lydia, Persia and Rome, and due to the immovable strength of the rocks which sustain its buildings, the city is home to many historical ruins that are still intact and worth seeing.
If your preference for holiday is Çanakkale, the first structure that you will see appear before your eyes will be Assos Antique Port. This naturally occurring harbour served as the largest port of its period. The other structure you will encounter in your historical journey, the Ancient Theatre, still bears the traces of the Roman Empire period. From here you can take a few minutes to observe the sight of Lesbos Island on the opposite shore. The theatre, which is still active today, continues to host thousands of visitors due to the many events which are programmed over the year. Another spectacular structure of Assos is the Temple of Athena… The temple, which is located at the highest point of the city, offers an unforgettable viewing pleasure if you want to watch the sun set from the peak.
Apollon Smitheus, considered the most important sacred structure in Troy after the Temple of Athena, will transport you to another historical dimension. This temple, which is about half an hour away from Assos, will amaze you with its reliefs depicting stories from Homer’s epic poem The Iliad. It is an architectural and artistic miracle of its period. Another important structure mentioned in Homer’s work is the Cave of Zeus. In the epic, it is stated that Zeus chose this location from which to lead the Trojan War. After you visit the hills where the monuments are located, we invite you to relax after your history tour. You can complete your morning contemplation of the sea with a restful visit to the beautiful beaches and bays of Assos. Kadırga Bay, the most famous of these, is about two kilometres from the centre of town. Here too, you can see the traces of history and cool off in the shade of olive trees. If your wish is for calm and you love camping, you can find the serenity you are looking for in Kuruoba Bay. Sokakağzı Bay, Yeşil Liman Bay, Sivrice Beach will each offer different sorts of beauty thanks to the dimpled structure of the Aegean coastline. If you choose Çanakkale for your holiday, you can design your route in the direction you prefer and stay in a number of Assos hotels, all of which offer separate features.
Bozcaada
Bozcaada, the second largest island of Çanakkale, has always had very strong potential in terms of both agriculture and tourism. Grape cultivation has attracted the attention of many civilisations over the centuries. The first visit of the Turks to this fabled island, which was continuously inhabited during the Persian, Roman, Byzantine Empire period, dates back to 1328. Under Turkish rule since that time, the island has always been strategically important, as it is located at the entrance of the Dardanelles. Due to its proximity to İstanbul and İzmir, Bozcaada is at the top of the list of short-term holiday plans of those living in big cities.
Transportation to the island is provided by ferry. As the ferry approaches the shore, you will glimpse the centuries-old, historic Bozcaada Castle. After this glorious welcome, you can start your island holiday. As you move inland, the Turkish Quarter and the Greek Quarter will welcome you to the island with two different cultures, different architectural and historical buildings. You can take a walk in the side streets of Bozcaada, take a breather and smell the sea; you can even swim in the sea by going down to Geyikli Beach, Ayazma Beach, Habbale Beach or Mitos Beach. You can opt for a boat tour which will take you to visit the most beautiful bays of natural wonder such as Akvaryum Bay, Poyraz Limanı Bay, Sulubahçe Bay. Bozcaada offers different holiday experiences with its calmness and unique features. If it suits your plans, you will find both recent history and many aspects of nature together. Does your holiday plan fall at the end of summer? You can attend the Bozcaada Vintage Festival held in the first week of September every year and return home with a basket of grapes. From your base in any of the Bozcaada hotels, you can easily reach your chosen destination and fit a lot of activities into a short time.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli, which is about 51 kilometres from the city centre of Çanakkale, is one of the most significant places of Türkiye. It has left its mark through both history and nature. The peninsula, is endowed with a temperate climate due to its location, is the choice of domestic and foreign visitors in any season.
If you are interested in history, you can begin your holiday by visiting the Gallipoli Peninsula National Area, which was built in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Gallipoli Campaign, in the greatest conflict to occur on these lands. If you came to the island by ferry, you can visit the Gallipoli War Museum, which is very close to the ferry port, and feel the spirit of Çanakkale in place.
Another important structure on the island is Çimpe Castle. On a landform boasting innumerable structures belonging to various periods of history, the castle granted to Ottoman ruler Orhan Bey as a gift from the Byzantines is a unique spot where you can observe the Marmara Sea and the Dardanelles Strait. Gallipoli, where the transition from green to blue takes place in perfect harmony, offers swimming opportunities as well. You can choose between bays and beaches such as Karaağaç Bay, Değirmendüzü Bay, Tekke Bay, Armankaya Bay, Mavi Saroz Beach, which though close to each other, have different features. It is useful to take a look at Gallipoli hotels for your accommodation preferences.
If you are planning a long and enjoyable holiday to witness the most magnificent pages of history, to experience nostalgia by taking a leisurely walk in the streets of an island town, to experience the magnificence nature and to swim in the deep blue waters; Canakkale hotels are ready to welcome you.
