ECEABAT

Old name: Maydos

The dusty small town of Eceabat on the Gallipoli Peninsula immediately across the Dardanelles from Çanakkale is actually closer to the Gallipoli battlefield sites than Çanakkale itself and so makes a possible alternative base for visiting them, especially if you're on a tight budget or at particularly busy times of year when everything in the bigger town is likely to be booked solid. 

Although the views across the Dardanelles are spectacular, there's very little to see or do in Eceabat itself despite recent attempts to encourage visitors to linger by stringing kitschy dioramas of wartime scenes along the waterfront. 

A line-up of restaurants along the waterfront are used to catering for tour groups. The food is good, if unexceptional. 

In summer and over ANZAC Day (25 April) you can expect to find a fairly lively, boozy nightlife here.

The remains of ancient Maydos have been excavated on Kilisetepe (Church Hill), a mound that stands more or less in a straight line inland from the harbour. Until 1923 it was topped with a Greek Orthodox church.

Sleeping

Aqua Boss Hotel

Eceabat Hotel (0286) 814 2458 

Gelibolu Evleri (0286) 814 2650

TJs Otel (0286) 814 2458

Transport info

Half-hourly ferries connect Eceabat and Çanakkale. 

Minibuses from Eceabat also run to Kabatepe to connect with the ferries to Gökçeada.

Infrequent buses also run along the coast to Kilitbahir. 

Day trip destinations

Abide

Çanakkale

Gallipoli

Gelibolu

Kilitbahir