Visit Gallipoli: WWI History, Memorials and ANZAC Cove
A guide to visiting Gallipoli, where the battlefields, cemeteries and memorials of the 1915 campaign tell one of WWI's most poignant stories.
A Peninsula Marked by History
Gallipoli is a peninsula in northwestern Turkey, set beside the Dardanelles Strait, whose name is bound up with one of the First World War's defining campaigns. Between April 1915 and January 1916, Allied forces fought here in an effort to secure a sea route to Russia, only to meet determined Ottoman resistance. By the time the campaign ended, more than a hundred thousand soldiers had died, and the peninsula became hallowed ground for several nations.
For Australians and New Zealanders in particular, Gallipoli holds profound meaning. ANZAC Day on the twenty-fifth of April commemorates the first major military action fought by their forces during the campaign, and each year the anniversary draws crowds from around the world to its solemn dawn ceremonies.
Sites to See
The landscape is dotted with memorials and cemeteries that reward unhurried, respectful exploration. ANZAC Cove marks the main landing site, while Lone Pine honours the Australian fallen and Chunuk Bair, the highest point reached by Allied troops, stands as the New Zealand memorial. The Nek Cemetery recalls the doomed Light Horse charge, the Helles Memorial at the southern tip remembers those with no known grave, and the 57th Infantry Regiment Memorial pays tribute to the Turkish soldiers who defended the heights. The Kabatepe Information Centre helps put it all in context.
Planning Your Visit
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to November offer the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures and, in autumn, fewer visitors. Summer is hot and crowded, while winter is cold, wet and quiet. Gallipoli sits roughly three hundred kilometres from Istanbul, a four to five hour trip by bus, private transfer or rental car, and many travellers stay in nearby Eceabat or Canakkale. Book accommodation ahead in peak season, bring water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes, dress modestly at the memorials, and allow one to three days to take in the sites properly. Local cuisine leans on fresh seafood, kebabs and olive oil dishes to round off a moving day.
FAQ
How do I get to Gallipoli from Istanbul?
Gallipoli lies about three hundred kilometres away, a four to five hour journey by economical bus, comfortable private transfer or rental car if you prefer the flexibility of self-driving.
When is ANZAC Day at Gallipoli?
ANZAC Day falls on the twenty-fifth of April, marking the first major action by Australian and New Zealand forces in 1915, and it draws large international crowds for remembrance ceremonies.