Located on Turkey's Gallipoli Peninsula, this coastal town has a 14th-century Ottoman fortress and is known for its sardine fishing industry and naval history.
Gelibolu, a coastal town in Turkey’s Çanakkale Province, occupies the European shore of the Dardanelles Strait. This area gained global recognition during World War I’s Gallipoli Campaign, marked by cemeteries and trenches in the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park. You can walk through Ottoman-era mosques in town, watch fishing boats unload sardines at the harbor, or visit the Piri Reis Museum to see 16th-century navigation tools. Ferries depart regularly from the port to Lapseki on the Asian side, taking about 20 minutes. The town’s history stretches from Byzantine walls near the lighthouse to Ottoman naval stations still visible along the waterfront.
World War I Battlefields and Memorials
The Gallipoli Peninsula witnessed intense fighting between Ottoman and Allied forces from April 1915 to January 1916. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk commanded Turkish troops who defended the strait against British, French, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers. You can walk between preserved trenches at Çonkbayırı Hill, where some opposing front lines stood only 10 meters apart. Over 30 cemeteries dot the landscape, including the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial with its 41.7-meter concrete pillars near Morto Bay. April 25 brings thousands to Anzac Cove for dawn services remembering the Allied landing, followed by ceremonies at Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair.
Exploring Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park
This 330 km2 park combines preserved battlefields with pine forests and salt lakes. Start at the Kabatepe Information Center to view rifles, uniforms, and soldiers’ diaries from the campaign. Farmers in Alçitepe village built the Salim Mutlu War Museum using shells, bullets, and equipment they found while plowing fields. Follow marked trails to Seddülbahir Fortress, where Ottoman cannons once guarded the strait, or hike to Suvla Bay to snorkel around the sunken Allied supply ship Milo. The park bans camping and open fires to protect its historical sites and wildlife.
Practical Information for Visiting Memorials
Most war cemeteries and monuments open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily without entry fees. The Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial includes a museum with photographs of Ottoman soldiers, while Lone Pine Cemetery documents Australian losses through engraved panels. At the 57th Turkish Regiment Cemetery, read Atatürk’s famous order: “I don’t command you to fight, I command you to die.” In Gelibolu town, a bronze statue of Piri Reis faces the strait near the ferry terminal, commemorating his 1513 world map. Wear sturdy shoes, as paths between sites are uneven and lack shade.
Museums Focused on Military History
The Gallipoli War Museum near Eceabat uses life-sized dioramas to recreate trench conditions, with audio recordings of battle sounds. Admission costs 3 TL, and it’s closed Sundays and Mondays. In Gelibolu’s port area, the Piri Reis Museum occupies a restored Ottoman bathhouse displaying replica astrolabes and sailing charts. Don’t miss the 14th-century Gazi Süleyman Paşa Mosque in the town center, recognizable by its square prayer hall and single minaret. Local guides offer battlefield tours starting at 200 TL per group.
Planning for Anzac Day Events
April 24-25 sees road closures around Anzac Cove as up to 10,000 visitors attend commemorations. Arrive early if driving—parking fills by midnight, and many sleep in cars or tents near the site. Hotels in Gelibolu and Eceabat book out months ahead; consider staying in Çanakkale and taking the 4:30 AM ferry. The dawn service starts at 5:30 AM with readings, hymns, and a moment of silence at sunrise. Turkish authorities provide free shuttle buses from Eceabat to major ceremony locations.
Eating and Shopping in Gelibolu
Harbor restaurants like Sardalya Sofrası grill sardines over charcoal, serving them with onion salad and lemon. Buy freshly caught mackerel or sea bass at the morning market beside the ferry dock. Local canneries produce 60% of Turkey’s tinned sardines; tour the facilities by contacting the tourism office. For sweets, try peynir helvası at Hacıbaba Helvacısı—a dense dessert made with cheese, semolina, and sugar. Most eateries close by 10 PM, but çay gardens along the waterfront stay open until midnight.
Transportation Options
Buses from Istanbul’s Esenler Terminal take five hours to reach Gelibolu, passing through Tekirdağ’s sunflower fields. Ferries run hourly from Lapseki on the Asian side, docking at Gelibolu’s central port. To explore the national park, take a 45-minute ferry ride from Çanakkale to Eceabat and rent a bike or scooter there. Guided day trips from Istanbul typically include Troy’s archaeological site, 90 minutes south by car. Between June and September, extra ferries connect Gelibolu to Gökçeada island for beaches and olive oil tastings.
Day Trips from Gelibolu
Troy’s archaeological site, 90 km south, displays nine settlement layers spanning 4,000 years, including a replica wooden horse. Gökçeada, Turkey’s largest island, has windsurfing beaches near Aydıncık and Greek Orthodox monasteries like Panagia Rum. North of Gelibolu, the Gulf of Saros draws scuba divers to its shipwrecks and underwater caves. For a quieter experience, visit the Ottoman-era Ulu Camii in Edirne, a three-hour drive northwest through sunflower and rice farms.
