When you first step into Çanakkale, you are greeted by the famous breeze of the strait and the whispers of history. But where can you best feel the rhythm, energy, and soul of this city? The answer is clear: on the Kordon (waterfront). If you're looking for a guide on things to do on the Çanakkale Waterfront, you've come to a place that offers much more than just a promenade. This is the very heart of the city, where legends meet modern life, Asia meets Europe, and thousands of years of history meet the sea. In this guide, we'll show you how to experience the Kordon not like a tourist, but like a local. If you're ready, let's embark on an unforgettable journey along Çanakkale's unique coastline!

Get a close look at the horse used in the filming of Troy and gifted to the city

As you walk along the waterfront, the colossal structure that appears before you will instantly transport you to the legends of thousands of years ago. But wait, this isn't just any model of the Trojan Horse. This is the actual horse used in the famous 2004 movie Troy, directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Brad Pitt!. After filming concluded, the production company, Warner Bros., gifted this magnificent work to Çanakkale, the land where the legend was born, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

This horse is so massive that you feel like an ant next to it. It was constructed with a steel skeleton weighing approximately 12 tons, covered with fiberglass. Reaching a height of 12.4 meters, this enormous structure has become one of the city's most popular photo spots. You may not have read Homer's ancient epic, but you've likely seen the movie. This horse creates a tangible bridge between the film you watched and the ancient legend, making an abstract history almost palpable and visible. Remember that while access to this horse in the city center is completely free, you'll need to enter the archaeological site to see the other model in the Ancient City of Troy.

Take a walk on the waterfront and feel the cool breeze of the strait

After being mesmerized by the grandeur of the Trojan Horse, it's time to let yourself go on the famous promenade of the Kordon. One of the things that makes the Çanakkale Waterfront so special is its famous wind, which cools you down even on the hottest summer days. This gentle sea breeze, which the locals call imbat, turns your walk along the strait into a unique pleasure. The wide, clean walking paths, dedicated lanes for cyclists, and plenty of benches for resting make this an ideal meeting point for people of all ages.

During your walk, you don't just watch the sea. With every step you take, the continent of Asia is on one side, and Europe is right in front of you. You are not just on a coastline; you are walking along one of the world's most strategic waterways, which separates two continents and has witnessed wars that changed the course of history. The wind that hits your face brings not only coolness but also passes through the trenches of Gallipoli, the memories of Anzac Cove, and the spirits of the martyrs to reach you. Don't forget to photograph landmarks you'll encounter along the way, like the historic Clock Tower built in 1897. This walk along the Kordon will allow you to deeply feel not only the blue of the strait but also the historical texture of Çanakkale.

Sit at one of the seaside cafes and watch the ships passing through the strait

The best reward after a pleasant walk on the Kordon is to sit down at one of the seaside venues and catch your breath. The Çanakkale Waterfront is filled with countless cafes, tea gardens, and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. Whether you sip your tea at a nostalgic spot like Golf Tea Garden or drink your coffee at a modern cafe, your view will always be the same: the fascinating traffic of the Dardanelles Strait.

The table at that simple cafe you're sitting at is actually a private box overlooking one of the busiest sea highways in the world. The giant container ship gliding slowly past you might be carrying goods to a European country; that luxury cruise ship is taking hundreds of tourists from different nations to the blue waters of the Aegean. While you're having a cup of coffee, you are witnessing the live flow of global trade and world logistics from a front-row seat. To top off this experience, be sure to try the local flavors. Taste the famous cheese halva at Kadir Usta , grab a quick fish sandwich at a casual spot like Sardalye , or cool off with the legendary ice cream from Doğan Pastanesi.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Çanakkale Waterfront is not just a coastline; it is the living, breathing soul of the city. After spending a day here intertwined with history, there are a few more wonderful places you can explore now that you're here. Just a few steps from the Kordon, you can visit the(), which has been the subject of folk songs, and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Right next to it, you can visit the Çanakkale Naval Museum, located inside Çimenlik Castle, a legacy of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and see a one-to-one replica of the Nusret Mine Layer, the hero of the March 18th Naval Victory. If you have more time, you can take a ferry from the pier on the Kordon to the opposite shore, the Gallipoli Peninsula, and witness the most poignant moments in history.

References

For more official information and current events, you can visit the website of the Çanakkale Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. (https://canakkale.ktb.gov.tr)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question 1: Is it free to see the Trojan Horse on the waterfront?Answer: No, it is completely free to see the Trojan Horse displayed on the Çanakkale Waterfront, which was used in the movie Troy. The waterfront is a public area. However, to see the other Trojan Horse model located in the Ancient City of Troy, about 30 km from the city center, you need to pay an entrance fee to the archaeological site or use a Müzekart (Museum Card).

Question 2: When is the best time to visit the Çanakkale Waterfront?Answer: The Çanakkale Waterfront is beautiful in every season, but the most pleasant times are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). During these periods, the weather is ideal for sightseeing. The summer months are also very popular, and thanks to the imbat wind blowing from the strait, the weather is not overwhelming.

Question 3: What other places can be visited within walking distance of the Kordon?Answer: Absolutely! With just a few minutes' walk from the Kordon, you can reach the city's most important landmarks, such as the Çanakkale Clock Tower, the historic Aynalı Çarşı (Mirrored Bazaar), Çimenlik Castle, and the Çanakkale Naval Museum. Additionally, the Çanakkale City Museum and the historic Yalı Hanı are other great spots you can explore within walking distance.