Read my post on Gallipoli, that peninsula in north east Turkey that lies close to the heart of Australians and New Zealanders. It sets the scene for a Gallipoli visit. Sunset over Gallipoli is evocative because of the words of “The Ode” to Australian Soldiers lost in the Battle of Gallipoli in WWI. In part it reads:
Sunset Gallipoli Photo taken from Canakkale
A Gallipoli Sunset is special.
We made our own pilgrimage travel to Gallipoli as part of a mammoth five weeks through Turkey trip, but if you are time-short a day-tour from Istanbul to Gallipoli is a worth-while alternative – you might never get back to Turkey again.
This map shows how to get to Gallipoli from Istanbul.
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Istanbul to Gallipoli Day Tour
When I say day tour, I mean LONG day tour.
- Expect to be on the road for 18 hours in a 25 seat air-conditioned mini-bus.
- Refreshments are included
- English Speaking Guide
- Fully Guided Tour of Gallipoli (invaluable)
- Lunch in a Restaurant
- You must pay for your own Dinner and Drinks consumed during meals.
- This tour rates 4.9 from 5 stars from 18 Get Your Guide Reviews.
Get Your Guide has a well rated day tour from Istanbul to Gallipoli.
It was quite emotional walking on the beach at Anzac Cove imagining the young soldiers scrambling over those same rocks. Some frequently asked questions about the Gallipoli campaign are answered here.
The battle was meant to be swift but dragged on for eight months with a total of 8700 Australian soldiers dying, 2000 on that first day. In the end 80,000 were evacuated.
More than 85,000 Turkish soldiers died at Gallipoli so many Turkish people visit the site and their own memorial. Turks are gracious to visitors so if you get a chance talk with them. Remember that we – the Allies – invaded the Ottoman Empire, not the reverse.
While the British Allies referred to the campaign as
I experienced a special moment when the father of a Turkish Family asked my nationality, shook my hand and offered a heartfelt welcome to Gallipoli.
At the end of the day we returned across the Dardanelles to Canakkale to our favourite tea garden to watch the sunset over the Gallipoli Peninsula. Reflecting on the day on the Gallipoli peninsula, we both felt at peace. The countryside in beautiful as are the memorials and cemeteries. The graves are well-maintained as are the roads and although it was sad at times, the fact that we felt welcome made it a healing experience.
Canakkale is a wonderful small City. A complete unknown to us before our pilgrimage to Gallipoli, it became one of our favourite Turkish Cities.
I have linked to Friday Postcards over at Keryn’s Walking On Travels.
Visit Gallipoli and the Anzac Legend
What a beautiful photo! It all looks so calm.
It was very calm Suki. Canakkale is a friendly place to stay (as is most of Turkey) and I wish we could have stayed there longer. The waterfront area is long and everyone walks along it in the afternoon. Good people watching as well as sunset watching. 🙂
Gallipoli isn’t that far from my hometown and the sea there is beautiful! I love this photo and sunsets in general, the light at dusk is simply very special!
You live in a beautiful area for sure Franca. We enjoyed it very much.
We also made the tour to Gallipoli… oh… about ten years ago now, I guess. It was a wonderful memorial ceremony on Anzac Day.
Gallipoli on ANZAC Day would be totally different than an ordinary day. Less Peaceful and more emotional I would think 🙂
It looks so peaceful Jan….hard to imagine the fighting that occurred there!