Where to Swim in Gallipoli

Surrounded by sea on three sides, Gallipoli (Gelibolu) offers the rare privilege of swimming against a backdrop of history and views of the Dardanelles.

We should add that if you are coming to Gallipoli and its beaches via Istanbul, endless sunflower fields will keep you company along the way. In Thrace, the sunflower is called “Sarı Gelin” (the “Yellow Bride”). Park your car safely by the road and take some photos with the Yellow Brides. And don’t forget to add your photos to

“Sizden Gelenler” (From Our Readers)!

PLACES TO SWIM IN GALLIPOLI TOWN CENTRE:

HAMZAKOY

With its golden sands, this beach stretches over 3 km. Hamzakoy Halk Plajı, which has received the international “Blue Flag” environmental award three times, has shallow water that deepens only gradually. You can take a stroll to the sound of seagulls along the promenade that runs beside it. As Gallipoli blogger Ferdağ AYDIN puts it, ”The best decisions are made on this path”. In short, when you come to Gallipoli, don’t just pack your swimwear — bring your walking clothes too.

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Fener Altı

A visually stunning spot where you can swim while waving to the ships passing through the strait. Don’t forget to sunbathe on the rocks and take plenty of photos.

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Gallipoli also has a coastline on the Gulf of Saros (Aegean Sea), one of the few seas in the world that is able to clean itself. These shores are a favourite with sea lovers, and you will find the highlights below. Have a wonderful holiday!

Kavakköy

Located at the start of the Gulf of Saros, this village has a hidden beach. To reach it you will need a car with decent ground clearance, as a rough dirt road awaits you. This is a truly unspoilt beach. Along much of it, tall reeds stretch right down to the water’s edge. As soon as you find a sandy spot, unload your food, drinks, umbrella and towels or folding chairs from the car and enjoy this empty beach and the deep blue sea in front of it. The sea here is perfect for families with children and for older visitors, because even when you wade a long way out, the water still won’t come above your waist. It is an ideal beach for watching the sunset or camping — a free gift from nature.

Koruköy altı

A quiet village with private summer houses. The holiday complex has its own sandy beach and a jetty.

The best time to swim is the first fifteen days of August. With the sea as clear as glass, you will feel as if you are inside an aquarium. Don’t forget your snorkel, or your diving gear if you have it.

Bolayır – Bakla Burnu

Coming to Gallipoli from the direction of Istanbul, you reach the shore by passing through Bolayır on your left (home to the graves of Namık Kemal and of Gazi Süleyman Paşa, the first to conquer Gallipoli). This stretch of coast is called Bakla Burnu. The wide, long sandy beach has laid-back beach cafés and campsites. You can rent umbrellas and sun loungers, or set up your own umbrella if you prefer.

Güneyli Köyü

Although small, this is a very popular village. You pass through the village square and then wind down between the summer houses to reach the beach.

This holiday village has plenty of cafés, restaurants, kiosks, hotels and guesthouses along the shore — everything you could be looking for. Some summer residents, especially those from Istanbul, stay in their Güneyli homes year-round. The population drops sharply in winter and booms in the summer months.

A cove you can reach by boat from Güneyli is the Bebek Rocks (Bebek Kayalıkları). It is a favourite with underwater photographers and diving clubs. The Bebek Rocks also have a mythological story. According to legend, the ancient city of Agospatami, meaning “Golden Fleece”, once stood in this area. Whoever wore the golden fleece would become immortal, so the area was constantly raided by pirates. Fleeing the raids, the locals would leave their babies (“bebek” in Turkish) among these rocks so that their cries would not be heard.

Fatma Kadın Koyu

A cove within the boundaries of Güneyli village, facing the Gulf of Saros, about 13 km from Gallipoli town centre. Its fine sand and usually glassy water make it a favourite with families with young children, and plenty of people pitch tents along the shore. Part of the bay is open to everyone free of charge, while another section may have a business renting out umbrellas and sunbeds; check current prices before you go. Map apps sometimes suggest shortcuts along rough village tracks, so stick to the asphalt road.

Mahmutpaşa Koyu

Another small cove within Güneyli, close to Fatma Kadın Koyu and opening onto the Saros. Its sandy, gently shelving entry and clear, calm water make it good for swimming with small children. It is quiet on weekdays and busier at weekends. There is a business with a campsite and an old fountain by the bay, and it is a starting point for walks along the Güneyli coast. It takes about 20 minutes by car from Gallipoli town centre.

Fındıklı Köyü – Kömür Limanı

As you pass Gallipoli and head towards Eceabat, a small sign on the right points you to “Fındıklı Village”. About 10 km after this turn-off, another sign in the village directs you to ” Kömür Limanı”, about 17 km away. Kömür Limanı is an unspoilt cove that is definitely worth extending your holiday by a day for. Home to 144 species of fish, 34 different sponges, 78 kinds of sea plants and many other creatures, this natural aquarium is one of the most popular spots among diving enthusiasts. As a result, this paradise, which grows busier every year, has been placed under protection.

Değirmendüzü Koyu

The cove below Değirmendüzü village, a little south-west of Kömür Limanı. The shore is a mix of sand and pebbles and the water gets deep quickly; the entry is stony in places, so water shoes help. There are hardly any facilities, so bring your own water, food and shade. Campers often set up under the pine and olive trees. The last stretch of the village road can be rough, so choose your car accordingly.

Other coves on the Saros coast

Along the coast running south-west from Güneyli and on past Değirmendüzü, maps show further small coves named Mavi Saroz, Despot, Armankaya and Karaağaç. Most have no facilities and may be reached by dirt roads, which makes them a good choice for a quiet day away from the crowds. Check the route on a map before setting off.

Burhanlı Cennet Koy

Another heavenly spot for a swim on the road from Gallipoli to Eceabat. In this summer-house area you can enjoy views of the strait and a gentle breeze that never fails on summer days.

We would also like to mention some very popular places on the Saros coast that are close to Gallipoli, although outside the district boundaries.

Erikli & Mecidiye

When coming to Gallipoli from Istanbul, you reach them via Keşan.

Erikli offers a wide choice of guesthouses, motels, and places to eat and drink. Its beaches — where you can pitch a tent on the endless, silky sand and swim in the deep blue sea — are especially busy at weekends. Mecidiye, by contrast, is more of a village: quieter, more secluded, boutique and charming. You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the village stalls along the road and stay at the campsites. One of these is Gökçetepe Nature Park.

İbrice

On the Mecidiye road, close to Erikli. Here you will find the “Heaven” point and the “Hell” point. It is called Hell because, after a depth of 2–3 metres, a steep underwater wall drops to 10 metres and then suddenly plunges to 30 metres. At the Harman Rocks in İbrice, popular with boats, you can dive at depths between 7 and 30 metres. Around İbrice Harbour, and in the Toplar Burnu and Tüneller areas, you can see a variety of marine life and large corals along walls that descend to 30 metres.

FOR THE CURIOUS: The dive sites in the Gulf of Saros are shown below.