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12 places to visit in the Gökçeada district of Çanakkale: Kaleköy (Kastro), Aydıncık Beach and Marmaros Waterfall. Plan your trip to Gökçeada with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Gökçeada lies at the entrance to the Gulf of Saros in the north of the Aegean Sea, and has 91 km of coastline. The district covers an area of 282 km² and its average elevation above sea level is 50 metres. Annual rainfall ranges between 950 and 1,050 mm per square metre.

Cittaslow Title

Gökçeada is one of the 26 districts in Türkiye that hold the Cittaslow (Slow City) title. The Cittaslow movement came to Türkiye in 2009 with the admission of Seferihisar district. In June 2011, Gökçeada received the Cittaslow title and became the world’s first and only slow island.

History

The island was under the Latin Empire between 1204 and 1261. The Genoese Gattilusio family tried to establish control over the island. When Mehmed the Conqueror took Istanbul in 1453 and ended the Byzantine Empire, the rule of the Gattilusio family came to an end. Gökçeada was taken by the Venetians in 1466, but a few years later, in 1470, it was definitively retaken by the Turks. In the mid-17th century the island was the scene of clashes with the Venetian Navy during the Cretan War.

History and Culture

Gökçeada was incorporated into Ottoman territory by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1455. On 22 September 1923, Gökçeada was attached to the Republic of Türkiye under the Treaty of Lausanne. In 2011, with the Cittaslow title it received that year, Gökçeada became the world’s first and only slow island.

Highlights

After Mehmed the Conqueror took Istanbul, Gökçeada, the city mentioned in the epics written by Homer, was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1455. With the Cittaslow title it received in June 2011, it became the world’s first and only slow island.

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Places to Visit in Gökçeada

  • 3 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 6 Nature
  • 1 Beach
  • 1 Attraction

Historic Sites 3

Kaleköy (Kastro) - Gökçeada
Historic

Kaleköy (Kastro)

Kaleköy, the oldest settlement on the island, is known for its Byzantine-period castle ruins and stone houses. From its hilltop position there is a panoramic view of the Aegean Sea.

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Zeytinliköy (Eski Bademli) - Gökçeada Photo: Mehmet Ergun (CC BY-SA 2.5) · Source
Historic

Zeytinliköy (Eski Bademli)

Zeytinliköy, surrounded by stone houses from the Greek period and olive trees, is one of the island's most atmospheric villages. Restored houses have been turned into boutique hotels.

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Historic

Dereköy

Dereköy on Gökçeada is the largest Greek village, although most of its houses are empty.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Kokina Roman Rock Tombs

Two Roman rock tombs with burial chambers in the Kokina area are remains worth seeing.

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Natural Wonders 6

Aydıncık Beach - Gökçeada Photo: Aziz Akbiyik (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Nature

Aydıncık Beach

Aydıncık Beach on the island's south coast has a unique natural setting with a salt lake and dunes. It is favoured in the summer months for its clear water and wide sandy shore.

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Nature

Marmaros Waterfall

The Marmaros Waterfall in the island's interior lies within a pine forest. Reached by a walking trail, the waterfall is a quiet retreat for nature lovers.

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Gökçeada Salt Lake - Gökçeada Photo: Zeynepfrom17 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
Nature

Gökçeada Salt Lake

The salt lake in the south of the island is home to flamingos and other migratory birds. It is an ideal area for birdwatching and nature photography.

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Nature

Yıldızkoy Beach

Yıldızkoy on the island's west coast is one of the best spots in Türkiye for windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to its windy conditions.

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Nature

Salt Lake

The Salt Lake on Gökçeada is where therapeutic mud baths are taken.

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Nature

Yıldızkoy-Yelkenkaya Underwater National Park

The section between Yıldızkoy and Yelkenkaya is Türkiye's only underwater national park.

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Beaches and Coves 1

Beach

Aydınlı Beach

Aydınlı Beach, located in Eşelek village, is regarded as the island's favourite beach.

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Attractions 1

Attraction

Kaleköy

Kaleköy, 4 km from the district centre of Gökçeada, is one of the busiest places on the island in summer.

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Places to Visit Around Çanakkale Province

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While you are in Gökçeada, you can also see the highlights of Çanakkale province. These places are in other districts.

  • Troy Ancient City — On the mound of Hisarlık, 30 km south of Çanakkale, the city of the Trojan War told in the Iliad; it was discovered in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann.
  • Troy Museum — A museum opened on 10 October 2018 in the village of Tevfikiye, at the entrance to the archaeological site; it displays more than 6,000 original artefacts from Troy and the Troad and was established with the aim of securing the return of Trojan finds smuggled abroad.
  • Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial — A 41.7-metre-high four-legged monument at the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, on Hisarlık Tepe above Morto Bay, built in memory of the martyrs of 1915; it opened in 1960. Beside it are the Turkish Cemetery, the Mehmetçik Monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  • Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site — A 33,000-hectare area covering almost the whole of Eceabat district; it became a national park in 1973 and the "Gallipoli Historical Site of the Çanakkale Battles" in 2014. With its cemeteries, trenches, the Kabatepe Information Centre and monuments, it is an open-air museum of 1915.
  • 57th Regiment Cemetery — A symbolic cemetery opened in 1992 at Bombasırtı in memory of the 628 soldiers of the 57th Regiment, all of whom fell as martyrs during the Anzac landing and the battles that followed.
  • Anzac Cove — The cove where Australian and New Zealand troops landed on 25 April 1915; a dawn service is held here every year on 25 April.

Practical Information for Visiting Gökçeada

Suggested time
2-3 days
Best time to visit
Summer
Places to visit
12 places

What to Eat in Gökçeada

Food guide →

  • Ada Keçisi Tandır (island goat tandır)

    Goats raised on the pastures of Gökçeada are slow-cooked in a tandır oven. Its tender texture and intense aroma make it the island's most distinctive delicacy.

  • Ahtapot Salatası (octopus salad)

    Fresh octopus is boiled and served with olive oil, lemon and parsley. It is one of the classic meze dishes of Aegean cuisine.

  • Sakız Dondurması (mastic ice cream)

    Traditional ice cream flavoured with mastic (damla sakızı), it is one of the island's best-loved desserts. It is eaten at seaside cafés in the summer months.

  • Cullama

    A dish called cullama, made with local wild herbs in Zeytinli village.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gökçeada

  • Cittaslow (Slow City)

    Gökçeada received Türkiye's first Cittaslow (Slow City) title in 2011. The philosophy of slow living, organic farming and sustainable tourism shape the island's cultural identity.

  • Greek Cultural Heritage

    Gökçeada was historically an island where a Greek population lived. The churches, stone houses and traditions of Kaleköy, Zeytinliköy and Tepeköy bear traces of this cultural heritage.

Local Products

  • Gökçeada Wine — Wines made from the island's vineyards are produced using boutique methods. Wines made from the Kuntra and Çavuş grape varieties are part of the island's gastronomic identity.
  • Organic Olive Oil — Gökçeada is the first settlement in Türkiye to receive the 'Cittaslow' (Slow City) title. Organic farming is widespread on the island, and olive oil is produced by natural methods.
  • Island Honey (Ada Balı) — Flower honey obtained from the island's rich flora is known for its varieties with thyme and pine aromas.

Economy

The economy of Gökçeada is based on tourism, agriculture and fishing. Tourists who visit the island in the summer months are the main source of income. Organic farming, olive growing and viticulture are developing. Fishing is one of the traditional sources of livelihood. Wind energy production also contributes to the island's economy.

How to Get to Gökçeada

Gökçeada is reached by ferry from Kabatepe Ferry Port in Çanakkale; the crossing takes about 1 hour. Seasonal flights from Istanbul operate to Gökçeada Airport.

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Gökçeada: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Gökçeada?

The top 12 places in Gökçeada are: Kaleköy (Kastro), Aydıncık Beach, Marmaros Waterfall, Zeytinliköy (Eski Bademli), Gökçeada Salt Lake, Yıldızkoy Beach, Aydınlı Beach, Salt Lake, Yıldızkoy-Yelkenkaya Underwater National Park, Kokina Roman Rock Tombs, Kaleköy and Dereköy.

What is there to eat in Gökçeada?

Ada Keçisi Tandır (island goat tandır), Ahtapot Salatası (octopus salad), Sakız Dondurması (mastic ice cream) and Cullama are the standout dishes on Gökçeada's tables.

What is Gökçeada famous for?

Gökçeada is known for Gökçeada Wine and Cittaslow (Slow City). Wines made from the island's vineyards are produced using boutique methods. Wines made from the Kuntra and Çavuş grape varieties are part of the island's gastronomic identity.

How do I get to Gökçeada?

Gökçeada is reached by ferry from Kabatepe Ferry Port in Çanakkale; the crossing takes about 1 hour. Seasonal flights from Istanbul operate to Gökçeada Airport.

How long should I spend on a trip to Gökçeada?

Suggested length of visit: 2-3 days. Best time to visit: summer.

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