Çanakkale

Çanakkale is a port city on the Asian shore of the Dardanelles, at the strait's narrowest point. It is the provincial capital.

Çimenlik Castle (Kale-i Sultaniye) stands on the waterfront. Mehmed II had it built in 1462; today it belongs to the Naval Museum. Cannons and mines are displayed in the garden, next to a full-size replica of the minelayer Nusret. The clock tower of 1897, about 20 m high, is near the ferry pier. Aynalı Çarşı, a bazaar with a gate inscription dated 1889, sells local souvenirs. The wooden horse made for the 2004 film Troy stands on the Kordon promenade.

The municipality's walking route through the old centre takes 3–4 hours. Ferries cross to Kilitbahir and Eceabat on the European shore. The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, opened in 2022, spans the strait near Lapseki. Çanakkale Airport is 3 km from the centre; buses run to İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa. Troy is a day trip. Check museum opening hours first.