gallipoli national park

We visited the park in our car and were able to stop at will at the various memorials and cemeteries. We had watched the movie Gallipoli a day before with our teenagers to give them a sense of what happened here. That background helped when we saw various parts of the battlefield - looking down at Suba bay, seeing the incredibly steep ravines that the Anzac soldiers were trying to climb up under fire and the visit to the (very shallow) trench work on Chunuk Bair. Much of the site is now overgrown with scrub trees (as there is no human activity now) which makes it look very different from the period photos. Very sobering and helps understand the horrors of war. A couple of hours was fine for us. Park signage was OK.

Many will make the journey to Gallipoli during the centenary of WW1. Travelling from New Zealand, it is one of the most worthwhile and poignant commemorative experiences to visit the Gallipoli peninsula..... ....to stand on the beach in Anzac Cove; to pause at Chunuk Bair; to reflect on the names of the many young men in the cemeteries; and to consider the geography, politics and futility of the campaign that cost so many lives and caused so much pain 100 years ago. RIP.We flew in to Istanbul, hired a car from Budget (with satnav, a must); drove ourselves (4.5 hours each way) pausing overnight in hotels along the way in each direction (there are lots of choices); and based ourselves in Eceabat and Canakkale for a total of 4 nights. Driving is fine, the roads and signage are good, the locals drive purposefully: match them!An absolute highlight was a booked, private one-day guided tour from Crowded House in Eceabat (I have reviewed them with 5 stars). Worth a visit (but don't expect too much) is the new 'museum' near Brighton Beach. It's a multimedia 'experience' with a 'Readers-Digest-like' take on aspects of the battles. Light and rather trivial, but it's not expensive and it has its positives.We ate in Eceabat, Canakkale and (probably best of all) in Gelibolu (Turkish spelling for Gallipoli) - where I would suggest it's worth trying either of the fish restaurants on the outer arms of the tiny fishing harbour; we enjoyed our meals in both and there are delightful sea views.We were met everywhere by kindness and courtesy. The Turkish people are proud of their country and of their history; they are also noticeably respectful of their former foes, especially the ANZACS (and as adopted Kiwis we always felt most welcome everywhere).

Loved visiting the National park. The park itself was Beautiful, Peaceful, quiet and lush green reminded me alot of Home. New zealand

Thank god we did not do a tour with a group (we had our own car). The main building looks pretty much abandoned. The sites were in disrepair and poorly marked. Not that exciting. Much respect for the fallen, but this was something we could have,should have scratched of our list. It go pretty old fast and we saw almost all of it and thankfully were able to leave on our own will.

We are a couple who tend not to take tours BUT without a tour with the professional guides it would be difficult to get the true picture & both sides of the story.We went with "Crowded House tours" booked from our hotel ( Grand Anzac Hotel, very good) in Canakkale 85 lira, well worth it. Inc ferry tickets, lunch and guided tour to all the sites.All the sites are maintained very well, but it's the history behind each place that gives you a true understanding.A must do when in Turkey. ESP if your an Ozzie or a Kiwi.Best to do it out of Canakkale rather than Istanbul. From Canakkale you start at 11:30am, finishing at 6pm - Istanbul you start at 5 am get back around 10pm, which makes it a very long day. If you are planning to head south in Turkey after Istanbul then take the tour from Istanbul, but only go one way then stay in Canakkale that night, then it's easy to go to Ephesus from here then over to Pamukkale etc after that.

This area of Turkey is well worth a visit. It is a sobering tribute to both the Turks and the Allies who lost their lives. It is well maintained. It is very moving to see Ataturk's speech telling the mother's of the Aussies and New Zealander's who lost their lives that they will take care of them for all time.There are several small gravesites to see and wander through. You will be awed by what the Allies tried to climb to engage the Turks

This is a very well looked after park, and it's good to see the Turks treatment of this including how the Turkish tour guides operate. This is a special spot for NZers (and Aussies) so certainly don't miss the opportunity to wander around this location and think back to those events almost 100 years ago.If it's hot take plenty of water and sunscreen (and good walking shoes).

Like other sites of battles where there was great loss of life, a moving emotional area to sit and remember all the young soldiers who died. U drive from place to place and walk around the sites.

Visiting Gallipoli was a life impacting experience for me. I was so blessed to see how well everything is taken care of some 100yrs later. This is a very special place and you can feel the significance in the air. People asked me was it sad, my answer is for me it wasn't. I felt such a calmness and peace about the places we visited. It was a beautiful day that makes Anzac Day so much more special to me now and it was great to go with a guide and learn more about history than I ever did before.

Being here as a visitor to watch around and observe what had happened during the war is something very important for the life time.Exciting and thrilling athmosphere over this National Park with its surroundings is very special occasion for every visitor.Needs minimum a day and so in order to see the sights of this monumental natioanal park as it is so large to explore this fantastic place in a short time.Strongly recommended.

After living in Australia for 8 years and hearing about Gallipoli every year I was fortunately finally able to have a look up close and personal, taking my bike out for a ride from Istanbul, my new home town.I was very impressed. The park is maintained very well, with commemorative plaques everywhere that tell a story of massive sacrifice and courage, on both sides. I am going to make an effort to be here for the centennial next year.Recommended for day trip !

I've a few books and articles on the World Wars but visiting Gallipoli and seeing first hand the human costs for so little is emotional. The conditions and directions being given and received up and down the coast led to many sad events, as an Australian I felt profoundly sad looking up at the hills from the beach in Anzac Cove. I feel every Australian should visit at least once and pay respects to all soldiers buried in these hills. This is a day I will never forget, Lest we Forget

This is the right place to learn everything about Canakkale war in 1915. If you are in Çanakkale or Gelibolu allocate a couple of hours to visit there.

To appreciate the significance of the area, either go on a guided tour or research the history (around 120,000 people died by the time the campaign ended). Outside of Lone Pine Cemetery, which is for Australian soldiers, there are the remains of trenches. Also be sure to see the sculpture of a Turkish soldier carrying a wounded Australian soldier back to his troop. The area is well maintained.

We went with Crowded house Tours and our guide Bulant was extremely knowledgeable about the events that took place during the campaign. He provided the dates, circumstances and conditions that both sides faced and without those explanations the sights would be no more than memorials for fallen soldiers