Troy is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The ruins stand on the hill of Hisarlık near the village of Tevfikiye, about 30 km south of Çanakkale on the Dardanelles. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
What you see at Troy
Troy is not one city but many built on top of each other. Archaeologists count nine main layers, from Troy I, founded around 3000 BC, to Troy IX, the Roman city of Ilion. Walking the marked route, you pass the walls and gates of different periods, the ramp of Troy II, houses and wells, a small Roman theatre and the great trench dug by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s, which cut through several layers at once.
Near the entrance stands a large wooden horse, a modern replica that children love to climb. The horse used in the 2004 film Troy is on the seafront in Çanakkale itself.
The Troy Museum
The Troy Museum opened in 2018 at the entrance of the archaeological site, in a building shaped like a block of earth cut by an excavation. It shows finds from Troy and the region of the Troad, including gold jewellery, pottery, sculptures and sarcophagi. Plan at least an hour for the museum and two hours for the site.
How to get there from Istanbul
- By car: about 300 km and 4.5 to 5.5 hours via the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which opened in 2022 and crosses the Dardanelles.
- By bus: regular coaches run from Istanbul to Çanakkale in about 5 to 6 hours; from Çanakkale, local minibuses (dolmuş) go to Troy.
- By air: Çanakkale has a small airport with flights from Istanbul; from there you continue by taxi or car.
A day trip from Istanbul is possible but long, usually 12 hours or more. Many travellers stay one night in Çanakkale and combine Troy with the Gallipoli peninsula and its First World War memorials.
Tips for your visit
- Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons; in summer, start early, as there is little shade.
- Wear good shoes: the paths are uneven and partly unpaved.
- Check the current opening hours and ticket prices on the official museums website before you go; the Museum Pass Türkiye is valid at the site.
- Read a short summary of the Iliad first: the ruins come alive when you know the story.
Staying in Istanbul before or after Troy? See our Istanbul travel guide and the World Heritage sites in Türkiye, and end your trip with an evening on the Bosphorus on a private yacht or a shared sunset cruise.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Troy from Istanbul?
About 300 km by road, or 4.5 to 5.5 hours by car via the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge. Buses to Çanakkale take about 5 to 6 hours.
Can you visit Troy on a day trip from Istanbul?
Yes, but it is a long day of 12 hours or more. Staying one night in Çanakkale lets you see Troy and Gallipoli without rushing.
How much time do you need at Troy?
About two hours for the archaeological site and one hour for the Troy Museum.
Is Troy a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The archaeological site of Troy has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998.
Spending time in Istanbul?
See the city from the water: a private yacht from €130 per hour for the whole yacht, or a shared sunset cruise from €26 per person.