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Troy
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The ancient city of Troy is located on the Hisarlik hill in northwestern Turkey, near the strategic Dardanelles Strait. It gained worldwide fame as the setting for the Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad, though the historical accuracy of the epic remains a subject of academic debate. Archaeological excavations have revealed nine distinct layers of settlement, documenting a continuous history of over 3,000 years starting from the Early Bronze Age through to the Roman period. Heinrich Schliemann began the first systematic excavations in 1870, discovering what he believed to be the treasures of King Priam. Troy's geographical position allowed it to serve as a vital commercial hub between Europe and Asia, controlling maritime trade routes. Since 1998, the site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring monumental defensive walls, temple foundations, and a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to its complex history.
- Location: Turkey
- Top sights: Archaeological Site of Troy · Odeon · Bouleuterion (Troy)
- Nearby: Sedd el Bahr (11 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 9 |
| Rain mm | 95 | 76 | 56 | 48 | 31 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 28 | 65 | 75 | 96 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
Visitors can extensively wander through the layered outdoor excavations of this legendary ancient city, and step inside the state-of-the-art Museum of Troy located just outside the main archaeological zone.
Typical hours
The renowned ruins and the adjacent modern museum are officially open to international tourists every day of the week, with standard operational hours stretching from early morning until the late afternoon.
Photography
The giant wooden Trojan Horse replica near the entrance serves as an iconic and deeply beloved photo backdrop, while the ancient stone walls offer fascinating perspectives of the multi-layered historical settlements.
Time needed
Plan to dedicate roughly three to four hours to properly walk the signposted pathways across the nine overlapping chronological layers of the city and thoroughly examine the vast artifact collections within the museum.
Combine with
This immersive archaeological experience is naturally paired with a solemn visit to the battlefields of Gallipoli across the nearby Dardanelles strait, or an exploration of the seaside charm in the city of Çanakkale.
Getting there
Regular and frequent minibusses journey directly from the bustling center of Çanakkale to the archaeological site gates, ensuring the journey is quite straightforward and highly convenient for independent travelers.
Insider tip
Hiring an officially licensed professional guide at the main entrance or downloading a comprehensive audio guide is strongly advised to properly decipher the complex, bewildering maze of different historical epochs.
Geography
Facts
- The archaeological site consists of 9 distinct layers of settlement.
- Excavations were initiated by Heinrich Schliemann in the year 1870.
- Troy was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.
- The earliest settlement (Troy I) dates back to around 3000 BC.
- The defensive walls of Troy VI reached a height of over 9 meters.
- The Troy Museum, opened in 2018, houses artifacts from the site.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Troy (9)
East Tower
Eastern tower of Troy's fortification, part of the city wall.
Troy National Park
National park in Turkey encompassing the archaeological site of Troy.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet
Attraction in Troy, named after the Ottoman sultan.
Tevfikiye Culture and Art Center
Culture and art center in the village of Tevfikiye near Troy.
Çıplak Köyü Camii
Mosque in Çıplak Köyü village, Çanakkale province, northwestern Turkey.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How much time is needed for Troy?
About 1.5 to 2 hours are enough to visit the ruins and the museum.
Is the Trojan horse from the movie still there?
There is a large replica of the horse on site, which is often photographed.
Is a guide necessary?
A guide is very helpful, as the ruins are hard to interpret without context.
When is Troy open?
Usually daily from 08:00 to 17:00 or 19:00, depending on the season.
Are there sanitary facilities?
Yes, there are toilets and cafes in the entrance area.
Troy: where is it located?
Troy is located in Turkey.
Troy: what is there to see?
Highlights include Archaeological Site of Troy, Odeon, Bouleuterion (Troy).
Troy: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Troy: why is it worth visiting?
The ancient city of Troy is located on the Hisarlik hill in northwestern Turkey, near the strategic Dardanelles Strait.
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