Istanbul To Troy: Everything You Need To Know

Turkey has declared 2018 the ‘Year of Troy‘, so there’s no better time than now to visit this ancient site, which is celebrating its 20th year since its entry into the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. We broke down all the necessary info for travelling from Istanbul to Troy.

A bit of history

Troy gained its fame from Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad, which claims that the Trojan War was fought at this archeological site. One of the country’s most fascinating historic destinations, the city’s history dates back to the 3rd millennium BC when it was founded by the Hittites. According to the epic poem, during a battle between the Trojans and Achaeans, a wooden horse, which arrived in Troy as a gift, was used as a disguise to transport Achaeans into the centre of the impenetrable city, which they inevitably conquered. Whether this story is true or not, there was a Trojan War, which is believed to have been waged during the 12th century and led to Hittite’s name, Wilusa, to be converted to Illion, and later Troia.

Growth of Constantinople

How to get there

The closest major city is Çanakkale, which also has an airport with direct flights from Istanbul. From Çanakkale, you’ll travel for around 30 kilometres (about 45 minutes) to Troy via minibus, which departs from the local bus station. Minibuses usually take off every hour beginning at 7 am but do your research just to make sure since they often take off when they are full. It’s also a good idea to book a hotel in Çanakkale since Troy is a day trip and doesn’t have any accommodation opportunities.

What to see

Make sure to wear the right pair of shoes for uneven and often slippery hiking paths and get ready to explore the ruins. The city was rebuilt nine times and it’s believed that layer number seven is the city that was part of the Iliad, including the famous city walls. Be sure to climb the reconstructed Trojan Horse at the entrance and gaze at its interior, since this is an essential part of the experience even if the horse is fake! If you’re not a big fan of crowds, winter is a more appropriate time to visit as there are very little tourists.

Other essential activities

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out Mount Ida, which inspired the story of the gods watching the battle below. Another great stop is the beautiful Aegean island of Bozcaada with its old town and historic castle (as well as amazing seafood and local wine). You can reach the island by ferry from the Geyikli Harbour, which is about 10 kilometres from Troy.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.