Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul: WWI Battlefields & Cemeteries

Stand where two armies dug in during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915

A small-group day trip from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula explores World War I landing grounds, battlefields and cemeteries with a professional English-speaking guide. The tour includes hotel pickup from the European side of Istanbul, lunch in Eceabat, and transport by air-conditioned minivan to sites including ANZAC Cove, Brighton Beach, Ariburnu Cemetery and the ANZAC Commemorative Site. The route covers both Allied and Turkish positions, so you see the war from both sides.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gallipoli battlefield day trip from Istanbul

• Early morning hotel pick-up
• Scenic drive to Gallipoli with snack break
• Lunch in Eceabat town
• Visit Brighton Beach and Beach Cemetery
• Explore ANZAC Cove and Ariburnu Cemetery
• See ANZAC Commemorative Site
• Drive back to Istanbul with refreshment break
• Drop off at hotel

The Experience

The day starts with an early pickup from your Istanbul hotel in Taksim or Sultanahmed, then a scenic drive south toward the Gallipoli Peninsula. The route crosses the Marmara Sea region with a break for snacks and views before you reach Eceabat, the town closest to the battlefields. Lunch happens here, giving you a chance to settle before the walking begins.

After lunch, the guide takes you to the sites where the 1915 campaign played out. You'll walk Brighton Beach, where troops first came ashore; ANZAC Cove, the landing ground for Australian and New Zealand forces; and the ANZAC Commemorative Site, where the Dawn Service is held each April 25. The cemeteries—Beach Cemetery and Ariburnu—mark where soldiers fell. At Johnston's Jolly, you see both the Allied and Turkish trenches side by side, which is how the guide can show you what the war looked like from each position. The landscape itself tells the story: steep cliffs, narrow beaches, the ground troops had to cross.

The return drive to Istanbul takes five hours with a break for refreshments halfway. You're back at your hotel by evening. The whole day runs about ten hours from pickup to drop-off, so it's a full commitment but contained—nothing to arrange on your own beyond being ready at the hotel when the minivan arrives.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from the European side of Istanbul.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• lunch in Eceabat.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Disgate Tourism Travel Agency, Licance: 13265

Is this one for you?A ten-hour commitment means this tour fills most of your day, which is what makes it possible to see five separate sites—the coves, beaches, cemeteries and trenches—without rushing between them. If you have only a half-day free or need to keep the afternoon open, a shorter option would suit better; if you want to understand the 1915 campaign in place, this pace and route are built for it.

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Top questions

What exactly is at ANZAC Cove that makes it the main stop on this tour?

ANZAC Cove is the landing beach where Australian and New Zealand troops came ashore on April 25, 1915. The site includes the Commemorative Area where the annual Dawn Service is held, and the beach itself is walkable so you can stand where the troops first arrived.

Can I see the trenches where soldiers actually fought?

Yes. At Johnston's Jolly, you walk through both the Allied trenches and the Turkish trenches, which run close enough that you can see how near the two sides were to each other during the campaign.

How long is the drive from Istanbul to Gallipoli?

The drive to Gallipoli takes several hours depending on traffic, with a break for snacks and views along the way. The return journey is about five hours with a refreshment stop midway.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces at the sites are accessible. Transportation is provided by an air-conditioned minivan with wheelchair-accessible options.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay extra for?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the professional guide, lunch, transport by minivan, and all taxes and fees are included. Drinks beyond what comes with lunch, breakfast, dinner and gratuities are not included.

Does the guide speak English?

Yes, the guide is a live English-speaking professional who leads the tour and explains the history from both the Allied and Turkish perspectives.