Gallipoli is a narrow tongue of land lapped by the Aegean to the west and the Dardanelles, a narrow strait dividing Europe from Asia, to the east.
Each spring thousands arrive on the peninsular to commemorate one of the First World War's bloodiest campaigns. A solemn dawn ceremony on April 25 marks the anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings in which thousands of Allied (mostly Australians and New Zealanders, known as the ANZACs) and defending Turkish soldiers lost their lives.
For the rest of the year things are much quieter. Boasting an excellent war museum and dotted with graveyards and moving memorials, the area, now protected in a National Park, is covered with beautiful rolling countryside. There are some lovely beaches along the west coast too.
Getting There
Gallipoli is a 5.5 hour drive from Istanbul
Gallipoli can be reached by car ferry from Cannakkale, on the opposite (Asian) side of the Dardanelles.
Public transport is limited, so if you aren't driving (or cycling) then sign- up for a tour at one of the travel agents in Canakkale, Eceabat or Gelibolu.