Thrace, the Dardanelles, and Gallipoli are all located on the furthest western side of Turkey, which is part of the Marmara region. Historically, the Marmara region has been a scene for the most important events in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Cities such as Edirne, Bursa, and Istanbul have been operated as capitals of the huge Ottoman Empire, and famous Islamic architects worked on their masterpieces, and so on.
Let's take a look at the major Turkish cities and towns on the European side of Turkey, made up of the Thrace and the Turkish Straits, which are formed by the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles (Gallipoli Peninsula), and the Sea of Marmara in between.
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli Peninsula is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey. The Aegean Sea borders it to the west and the Dardanelles Strait to the east. It was once known as the Thracian Chersonese and was home to the Greeks and, later, the Romans and the Ottoman Empire. This long, narrow peninsula forming one shore of the Dardanelles Strait was the site of a major military campaign in World War I.
During the Gallipoli Campaign, a total of 502,000 people died. However, the Ottomans managed to hold its defensive line, and it is considered to be one of the greatest Ottoman victories during the war. Today, the sites where the battle took place are mainly transformed into open-air museums, parks, and memorials for visitors to see and pay their respects.
This old Turkish province includes cities such as Gelibolu, Eceabat, and Keşan. While Çanakkale is not located in the Gallipoli Peninsula, it is generally considered a part of this province.
Dardanelles Strait (Çanakkale Boğazı)
The Dardanelles Strait, also known as the Strait of Gallipoli, is part of the Turkish Straits, along with the Bosporus Strait and the Sea of Marma in between. The Dardanelles Strait has been a central location of strategic power throughout the years. Armies have fought for control of the Dardanelles (Hellespont, Çanakkale Boğazı), the strategic strait controlling access between the Aegean, Marmara, and Black Seas, from the time of the Trojan War to the World War I Gallipoli campaign, where the British Naval tried to pass the strait to reach the Black Sea and up to Russia.
This caused the Gallipoli Campaign, in which French, British, and allied forces (Australian, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Irish, and Indian) attempted to seize this strategic location and capture Istanbul, yet failed.
Today, the Dardanelles Strait is still under the control of Turkey and is one of the most popular trading ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Ferryboats take you (and your car or bus) across the straits with speed and ease.
Cities and Towns Near Gallipoli and Dardanelles Strait
Çanakkale
Located on the shore of the Gallipoli Strait, Çanakkale is a bustling city filled with young university students. It is also the best base for visiting the Gallipoli battlefields and nearby Troy. It's especially crowded on April 25th, ANZAC Day, when the battle is commemorated.
Top Sights
Trojan Horse: The Trojan Horse (Truva Atı) is a well-known legend that gained further popularity thanks to the 2004 movie "Troy". After the movie's shooting ended, the production crew gifted the huge horse to Çanakkale, where it still stands today and can be visited.
Canakkale Naval Museum: If you're interested in historic sailing vessels, cannons, artifacts, and exhibits, the Canakkale Naval Museum (Çanakkale Deniz Müzesi) is an excellent open-air museum to explore.
Canakkale Ceramics Museum: For a small but charming museum, the Canakkale Ceramics Museum (Çanakkale Seramik Müzesi) is located on a historic Turkish bath and offers beautiful ceramics for sale as souvenirs.
Eceabat
The town of Ecebat on the Gallipoli Peninsula across from Çanakkale is a busy ferry port and also a possible base for explorations of the Gallipoli battlefields.
Top Sights
Gallipoli Battlefield: Gallipoli Battlefield is the aftermath of the Gallipoli Campaign and a public museum, memorial, and park complex that you can visit to relive what happened during the Gallipoli Campaign.
Canakkale Martyrs Monument (Çanakkale Şehitler Abidesi): The Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial is a memorial honoring the service of 253,000 Turkish soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gallipoli.
Kilitbahir Castle: Kilitbahir Kalesi was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror, to stop other Christian countries from helping Constantinapole during the 1453 Fall of Constantinople.
Kilitbahir Village: Kilitbahir is a village near Eceabat, facing Çanakkale from the eastern shore of the Gallipoli peninsula. It has a mighty fortress and a car ferry dock for the shortest voyage across the Dardanelles.
Gelibolu
This historic town on the northern shore of the Gallipoli peninsula has a busy car ferry dock and other services.
Top Sights
There are three interesting places to visit in Gelibolu:
Gallipoli War Museum: It is a small museum exhibiting the artifacts and possessions of the soldiers who fought in the Gallipoli War.
1915 Çanakkale Bridge: This suspension bridge is the longest in the world and offers a beautiful view of the Dardanelles.
Piri Reis Museum: Piri Reis was a legendary sea captain and cartographer who was born in Gelibolu. The museum displays detailed maps of the Mediterranean in the Ottoman era.
Cities and Towns Near Sea of Marmara
İstanbul
Istanbul is an absolute marvel of the world. This historic city has served as the capital of three of the most significant civilizations throughout history: the Roman Empire (330–395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). Today, Istanbul boasts a rich tapestry of these cultures and civilizations, which is reflected in its architecture, art, and people.
Top Sights
Istanbul offers countless tourist destinations that cannot all be listed here. For more information, please visit our main page.
Ayasofya: The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was the largest church of the Eastern Roman Empire before being conquered by the Ottomans. Today it is a blend of Islam and Christianity and serves as a museum.
Topkapı Palace: The Topkapı Palace and Harem were the first palaces in Istanbul where the sultans resided. They now serve as museums and libraries.
Basilica Cistern: Yerebatan Saray Sarnıçı is one of many Byzantine cisterns located beneath Istanbul and was used to obtain fresh drinking water. A visit to this amazing structure is highly recommended.
Bursa
The first capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa, lies at the base of the Bithynian Mount Olympus. Its early Ottoman architecture, healthful hot springs, and savory cuisine draw visitors.
Top Sights
Bursa is home to many attractions, and we have dedicated a separate page to cover the many sights in the city. Please check our main Bursa page for more information.
Great Mosque (Ulu Camii): The Grand Mosque of Bursa was constructed between 1396 and 1399 by architect Ali Neccar. Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I commissioned the mosque to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Nicopolis. However, after the Sultan's defeat at the Battle of Ankara in 1402, the mosque was destroyed by Timur. Over the years, the mosque was repaired and is now the second-largest mosque in Bursa.
Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı): Situated next to the Grand Mosque, the Grand Bazaar of Bursa is an ancient roofed bazaar where you can find various souvenirs to commemorate your trip to Bursa.
İnkaya Historical Plane Tree: İnkaya Tarihi Çınar ağacı is a tree that is over 600 years old and is Turkey's largest tree. It stands at a height of 37 meters and has 13 thick branches. People come here to sit at the cafe under the tree and enjoy a refreshing cup of Turkish tea or coffee.
İznik (Nicaea)
Famous for its Ecumenical Councils and the Christian Nicene Creed, İznik is also a notable Roman town, with some fine Ottoman architecture as well.
Top Sights
Hagia Sophia: Built in 4 BC, it hosted the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and was later rebuilt in the mid-6th century. The Second Council of Nicaea, which ended the first period of Byzantine Iconoclasm, took place in 787 AD. After the Ottomans took over, it was transformed into a mosque.
Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos: Discovered in Iznik Lake in 2014. The basilica was constructed on the shore of the lake where Saint Neophytos was killed and then submerged after an earthquake in AD 740.
Iznik Castle: This ancient castle's history isn't well-documented. Nonetheless, İznik İstanbul and Lefke Gates are among the most recognizable structures that have survived from the ancient fortress.
Mudanya
This small port town on the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara was the site of the cease-fire conference that ended the Turkish War of Independence. Today, it is a beautiful little town that locals choose for a relaxing getaway from city life.
Top Sights
Dereköy Church: This Greek Orthodox Church was built in 1857 and still stands today as a proud reminder of the past.
Panagia Pontobasilissa Church: This church was built in the 13th century and is known to have some of the oldest and most important frescoes in the area. It is also called Kemerli Klise.
Söğüt
Söğüt is a small town with big significance in Turkish history. The Ottoman Empire's founder is entombed here. There are annual festivals and remembrances, but that's about it.
Bandırma
Bandırma is a port city known for fast car and passenger ferries on the Sea of Marmara's southern coast, which connects the region with Istanbul and İzmir. There is not much to do or see in Bandırma except for the migrating birds from time to time.
Top Sights
Bird Paradise National Park: If you visit the city during March-July or Sept-Oct, you can see migratory birds at Kuşcenneti National Park (Bird Paradise National Park).
Yalova
The port on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara is where you land, going to İznik and Bursa. Yolava has many historic hot springs.
Top Sights
Yalova Termal Kaplıcaları:Yalova has many Thermal hot springs; some are delightful, especially during winter.
Thrace (East Thrace)
Thrace, or in the context of Turkey, East Thrace, signifies the European part of Turkey, west of Istanbul, bordering on Bulgaria and Greece, and it is the corridor between Europe and Asia (maps).
This Turkish province includes cities such as Edirne, Tekirdağ, Lüleburgaz, and the European side of Istanbul.
Cities and Towns Near Thrace
Edirne
Formerly Adrianople, Edirne is one of the previous capitals of the Ottoman Empire. Yet, it is off the tourist track even though it boasts interesting architecture, good food, and an unhurried pace.
Top Sights
Selimiye Mosque: A UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Mimar Sinan between 1569 and 1575. It has a grand dome supported by eight pillars. It features stunning calligraphy and geometrical designs in pink, claret red, and blue.
Üç Şerefeli Mosque: Named after its three balconies and known for its unique architecture and spiral-designed minaret.
The Eski Ulu Cami: A small but impressive mosque built in the 15th century, is also worth a visit.
Macedonian Tower: A Roman watchtower built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in Hadrianopolis. It is one of the few remaining structures from the Roman period in the city.
Tekirdağ
A small city with a deep history but little physical evidence, Tekirdağ is also the center of a thriving wine-growing region. Throughout the years, Thracians, Greeks, Romans, and finally Ottomans.
Top Sights
Tekirdağ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum: This museum displays local artifacts such as the Thracian King Kersepleptes' crown, Chalcolithic Cult Pottery, and Attica Red Figure Support Crater.
Rustem Pasa Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Cami): One of the mosques built by the magnificent Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Small, but very impressive.
Kumbağ Beach: A small yet peaceful beach in Tekirdağ.
Vineyards: Tekirdağ is a thriving wine region with many vineyards to visit and taste.
Transportation
You can visit Thrace, the Dardanelles, Gallipoli, and Troy by car or bus on your own and from Istanbul—even in one day.
But taking a guided tour makes sense if your time is very short or you don't have your own vehicle.
Keep in mind Car ferries cross the Dardanelles frequently every day. So, you can easily travel around when you arrive in the Dardanelles.
—by Can Turan
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