Start Point: End Point: Duration: Departure:
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Full DayDeparture:
06:30 am
REQUEST TO BOOK Full-Day Troy Tour From Istanbul
Troy Tour is a full day trip from Istanbul and back to Istanbul the same day.
Relive the glory of ancient Troy and uncover the myths and legends of Achilles, the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy on this full-day tour from Istanbul, including lunch.
Spend time exploring the UNESCO-listed archeological site and learning about the city’s long history, which dates back as early as 3500 BC, then snap a photo by the iconic Trojan Horse statue.
Key Highlights
Explore the ruined walls and temples of the legendary city of Troy
Cruise through the Dardanelle Straits by ferry
See the replica of the Trojan Horse
Learn the legends of Paris and Helen of Troy
Discover Homer's foundations for European literature
What to Expect
Travel back to the days of the Trojan War and such legends of ancient history as Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Homer on a full-day tour of “Truva” (the historic city of Troy).
Depart Istanbul early in the morning (06:00-06:30) from convenient meeting points in Taksim, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Şişli, Ortaköy and Bebek. Hotel pick-ups are available from Sultanahmet, Beyazıd, Sirkeci, Laleli and Aksaray.
Upon arrival, lunch will be served on the roof of the Grand Eceabat Hotel, with stunning views of the Dardanelles as you dine. At 12.45, depart for Troy, and see the replica of the Trojan Horse from the movie “Troy” at the entrance to the legendary city.
Gaze on the remains of city walls that date back more than 3,000 years, and learn about landmark ruins and monuments, such as the Temple of Athena, Megaron House, and trench of Schliemann. Explore the death of Achilles near the Scaean Gate, and discover the site where the Trojan Horse was probably taken at the Gate of Troy VI.
See the remains of the Roman Bath, discover where the city’s music shows and poetry readings were held at the Odeon, and go to the ruins of the Bouleuterion where the council of citizens would meet. Learn about everyday life in the city at the remains of the Agora (market place) and more.
Your tour of the ruins ends at 17:00 with a transfer back to Istanbul at 18:00, and a hotel drop off at approximately 23:00.
At the site you’ll be shown around:
Brief Tour Itinerary
1 DAY TROY TOUR
DAY 1
06.00 — Pick up from your hotel / hostel in Taksim area.06.30/07.00 — Pick up from your hotel / hostel in Sultanahmet and transfer to Eceabat.12:00 — Arrive in Eceabat and lunch at a local restaurant.13.00 — Depart for Fully Guided Troy Tour.
Visiting;
The Trojan Horse, Sacrificial Altars,
The 3700 year old city walls,
Houses of Troy I, 3000 B.C. - 2500 B.C.
The Bouleuterium (Senate Building),
The Odeon (Concert Hall),
Current excavations in progress,
Remains of the various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX,
17.30 — Back from Troy Tour.18.00 — Depart for Istanbul.23.00 — Arrive in Istanbul and drop back to your hotel OR Overnight local bus to Izmir/ Selcuk / Kusadasi can be arranged.
This Tour Includes:
All transportation by A/C 'NO - SMOKING' vehicles,
Lunch at a local restaurant,
Fully Guided Troy Tour with an English speaking guide,
Entrance fees to Troy Ancient Site,
Ferry fees,
World heritage in Turkey: Troy, the ancient land of wars, myths and legends
TROY is screened from the road by a clump of trees which provides welcome shade in summer. The entrance is through a small garden, which has a collection of architectural fragments. Note the marble pedestal of a statue of the Roman tribune Lucius Vinuleius Pataecius which was erected in his honor by the Boule and the people. The Greek inscription states that Lucius served as a cavalry commander in Africa, Asia, and Thrace during the reign of Vespasian (AD 69-79). Nothing further is known about him. Nearby there is an incongruous, modern reconstruction of the wooden horse. Many of the objects found at Troy are in the Canakkale museum and in one of the new galleries of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. According to the 3C AD writer Philostratus, Troy was haunted by the ghosts of the great heroes who had lived, fought, and died there. When Julian the Apostate (361-363) visited Troy, he was astonished to find that offerings were being made by Pegasios, the bishop of Ilium Novum, as the city was known in Roman times, at the tomb believed to shelter the bones of Hector, and in the temple of Athena. This association of the site with the Trojan War continued down through the ages and it may have been one of the factors that led Schliemann and the other 19C investigators to it.
Whatever credence one places in the story of the abduction of Helen by Paris and of the expedition mounted by her husband, Menelaus, to recover her and avenge the wrong done to him, it is certain that Troy existed. and indeed long before, the time ascribed to these alleged events. Excavations have unearthed 46 levels of occupation and nine cities or settlements, dating from 3000-2500 BC to AD 400, have been identified. Troy I (3000-2500 BC) was a small fortification, probably occupied by a community that made its living from fishing. There has been considerable change in the geological structure of the area and it is almost certain that the sea was much nearer to the site than it is at present. Containers of bronze and of pottery which depict the human face were important finds here. The settlement was protected by walls in which comparatively small stones were laid in a herring-bone pattern. Troy I was destroyed by a conflagration.
Troy II (2500-2200 BC) is one of the first cities in western Asia Minor to show evidence of town planning. Although the diameter of the area enclosed by its walls was only 110m, it contained a large megaron for the ruler and several smaller megara which were aligned to make a continuous frontage. As in Troy I, the principal gate was on the S side. There were several entrances. On the SW there was a large paved ramp, 21m long and 7.5m wide, that sloped inwards as it rose. Schliemann believed that this had been used by the Trojans to bring the wooden horse inside the walls. However, the city of the Trojan War, if such a conflict ever took place was either Troy VI or Troy VIIA and was c 1000 years later. Schliemann was mistaken about the cache of gold and jewelry which he discovered in a section of wall to the left of the ramp and which he described as the 'treasure of Priam'. This also belonged to the period of Troy II. All that remains of this treasure are a gold bracelet and gold earrings, which are in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. The bulk of the find. which Schliemann removed from Turkey without the permission of the government, was kept in a Berlin museum from where it disappeared during World War II. There is a suggestion that it may be in Moscow.
Troy II may have gained some of its wealth and importance from its strategic location. Some authorities believe that for the first time in its history it levied taxes on ships passing through the Hellespont and on goods carried overland through Trojan territory to avoid the difficult sea passage. Troy II was destroyed by fire, probably as the result of an attack by Indo-European invaders. Troy III to Troy V (2300-1800 BC) were settlements of minor importance. apparently occupied by the descendants of those who survived the destruction of Troy II. There is no evidence that the invaders, who had taken the city, settled there. The houses were mean and small and, at least during Troy IV, the city was not fortified. The population probably supported itself by farming and fishing. Troy VI (1800-1275 BC) marks a return to greatness. This city, built by newcomers to the site, was enclosed by well-constructed walls which ran by placing a wreath on the tomb, while his friend Hephaestion performed the same service at the tomb of Achilles' companion Patroclus. Alexander accorded a number of privileges to Troy and promised to build a new temple in honour of Athene. This promise was kept by his friend and successor, Lysimachus.
Destroyed c 82 BC during the Mithridatic Wars, Troy was rebuilt after a visit to the city by Julius Caesar in 48 BC. As the birthplace of Aeneas, the mythical founder of Rome, it was accorded special treatment by several Roman emperors. The reconstructed temple of Athena, promised by Julius Caesar, was completed during the reign of Augustus, and later an odeum, a theatre and other buildings were erected in the city.
Somewhat overshadowed by the newly-established city of Alexandria Troas in the southern Troad, the township of Ilium Novum, as Troy had become known, was an episcopal see in the 4C. It appears to have entered a period of gradual decline, perhaps because of the silting up of its harbour, but excavations show that it was occupied during the reign of Justinian in the 6C.
Coins and pottery testify to some kind of settlement here as late as the 12C, when the Troad was ruled by the Selcuks. Under the Ottoman Turks the site of the ancient city appears to have been abandoned, but there were several small villages in the surrounding plain.
Abandoned perhaps, but not forgotten. Troy continued to attract visitors during the centuries that followed. In 1444 that indefatigable traveller Cyriac of Ancona visited the Troad. He was followed almost 20 years later by Mehmet II. According to the historian Critoboulos of Imbros, after he had: inspected the ruins... (and was) shown the tombs of the heroes Achilles, Hector and Ajax, (he said) It is to me that Allah has given to avenge this city and its people....
Indeed it was the Greeks who before devastated this city, and it is their descendants who after so many years have paid me the debt which their boundless pride had contracted...towards us, the peoples of Asia'.
In the early 17C the Scottish traveller William Lithgow cast a sceptical eye over the remains of the ancient city:
'when we landed,' he wrote, 'we saw here and there many relics of old walls and many tombs, which were mighty ruinous. Our Greek [interpreter] pointed us, particularly to the tombs of Hector, Ajax, Achilles, Troilus and many other valiant champions-well, I wot I saw infinite old sepulchres, but for their particular names and nomination of them I suspend; neither could I believe my interpreter, sith it is more than three thousand odd years ago that Troy was destroyed!"
Byron visited in May 1810. In a letter to Henry Drury he wrote: The Troad is a fine field for conjecture and Snipe-shooting, and a good sportsman and an ingenious scholar may exercise their feet and faculties upon the spot, or if they prefer riding lose their way (as I did) in a cursed quagmire of the Scamander who wriggles about as if the Dardan virgins still offered their wonted tribute. The only vestige of Troy, or her destroyers, are the barrows supposed to contain the carcases of Achilles, Antilochus, Ajax but Mt Ida is still in high feather, though the Shepherds are nowadays not much like Ganymede'.
In the 19C Frank Calvert explored many of the ancient sites in the Troad and he passed on of his ideas, and his enthusiasm, to Schliemann. the son of poor parents. Interested from an early age in the Greek myths, Heinrich Schliemann (1822-90) was born in Mecklenburg in N Germany. modern languages became a successful businessman and amassed his ambition was to find Troy. He taught himself ancient Greek and several considerable fortunes. Then at the age of 46 he abandoned his commercial Schliemann made a number of remarkable discoveries, including the career and, Homer in hand, set out to find the city of Priam. so-called Treasure of Priam'. His work was continued by Wilhelm Dorpfeld and later by Professor Blegen and archaeologists from the University of Cincinnati. Their combined efforts have revealed the nine cities described above, one of which may have been the 'well-walled city with lofty gates of the Iliad.
Although visitors from William Lithgow and Lord Byron onwards have been disappointed by Troy, the sudden dramatic revelation of the mound beyond the trees seldom fails to produce a frisson of surprise. Allowed to decay for centuries and raped by treasure-hunters and archaeologists, it is 'an over-grown maze of superimposed ruins of many ages, a jumble of gullies and ditches choked with bushes and ruins', yet there is a sense that here is a place of great historical importance.
Archaeologists may argue about its physical remains and scholars debate the historicity of the Trojan War, nevertheless for many visitors Troy has a numinous appeal and imagination helps to conjure up the city of Homer from the chaotic muddle of stones and tangled vegetation. In front of the excavated area there is a large plan, which shows the location of the various cities. There are also small descriptive notices in English on the site. Arrows indicate the route to be followed. The visitor's attention is seized by a substantial section, c 90m long and 6m high, of the wall of cities VI and VII. This was reinforced by a tower (VIH on plan). Entrance to the site is by a gate (VIS on plan) on the E side of the mound. To the right there was a look-out tower (VIG on plan), which contained a large cistern. Turning towards the centre the route passes on the left the ruins of four large houses (VIF, VIE, VIC and VID on plan). Note the storage pithoi in one.
At this point it is worth pausing to admire the fine view over the Plain of Troy. Two lines of willows mark the present courses of the rivers Simois (to the N) and Scamander (to the SW). These have probably changed their courses several times. To the N near Cape Sigeum is the harbour of the Achaeans, where the Greeks beached their ships. Not far from the harbour are the mounds that, according to tradition, mark the graves of Achilles and Ajax. If the weather is clear, Samothrace, from where Poseidon surveyed the events at Troy, may be glimpsed towering over nearer Imbros. To the SE is Mt Ida, where Zeus sat enthroned during the conflict. On the right the site of the Temple of Athena is marked by a large hole produced by various excavators. It was here that Xerxes sacrificed before starting out on his invasion of Greece. According to Herodotus, Xerxes had a strong desire to see Troy, the ancient city of Priam. Accordingly be went up into the citadel, and when he had seen what he wanted to see and heard the story of the place from the people there, he sacrificed a thousand oxen to the Trojan Athene, and the Magi made libations of wine to the spirits of the great men of old.
Some fragments from the Doric temple constructed by Lysimachus, which covers part of Troy II's fortifications, may be seen in the excavation. After passing some of the oldest remains on the site, fortifications and houses from Troy I, the route reaches the large ramp (see Troy II above), where Schliemann found the treasure. It then goes outside the fortified area, where there Hellenistic and Roman remains. These include a baths complex with mosaic pavements, the odeum and the bouleuterion.
To the left of the bouleuterion the S gate (VIT) provides access to the so-called pillar-house Excavations continue at Troy. The partly-collapsed tower R of Troy I fortifications has been restored and the E part of the trench made by Schliemann cleared.
Is it worth visiting Troy?
Visiting the ancient city of Troy can be a worthwhile and historically enriching experience for many travelers, especially those interested in archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations. Troy is famous for its role in Greek mythology, particularly the Trojan War, which was immortalized in Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
How long does it take to go from Istanbul to Troy by car?
The driving distance and time from Istanbul to Troy can vary depending on the specific route you take and the traffic conditions. The ancient city of Troy is located in the Canakkale Province of Turkey, on the western side of the country, while Istanbul is on the eastern side.
On average, the driving distance between Istanbul and Troy is approximately 320-350 kilometers (200-217 miles), and the journey can take around 5 to 6 hours by car, depending on road conditions.
What to do in Troy Istanbul?
Visiting the ancient city of Troy can be a fascinating experience for history enthusiasts and those interested in Greek mythology. While Troy itself is not as grand as some other ancient sites, it offers several activities and points of interest to explore:
Troy Archaeological Site: The primary reason for visiting Troy is to explore the archaeological remains of the ancient city. You can walk through the different layers of Troy and see the reconstructed walls, gates, and ruins. There are signs and information boards at key locations to help you understand the significance of each area.
Troy Museum: The Troy Museum, located near the archaeological site, houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to Troy's history and the archaeological discoveries made at the site. It's a good place to start your visit to gain context before exploring the actual ruins.
The Walls of Troy: You can see the ancient city walls and the famous Scaean Gate. These walls have been rebuilt and give you a sense of the city's fortifications. The wooden horse used in the 2004 movie "Troy" is also on display here.
Ruins of Ancient Buildings: Explore the ruins of various buildings, including houses, workshops, and public spaces. Some are believed to date back to different periods in Troy's history.
Theatrical Performances: Some visitors might be lucky enough to catch a live performance or reenactment of scenes from Greek mythology, particularly the Trojan War, in the amphitheater at the site.
Enjoy the Scenic Views: The site of Troy offers picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, including the Dardanelles Strait, which connects the Aegean and Marmara Seas.
Learn about Greek Mythology: Familiarize yourself with the stories of the Trojan War and the characters from Greek mythology, such as Achilles, Hector, and Helen. The site's history is intertwined with these myths.
Local Cuisine: After exploring the site, you can visit nearby towns like Canakkale and try delicious Turkish cuisine in local restaurants.
Visit the Archaeological Camp: Sometimes, you can visit the archaeological camp and see archaeologists at work, providing a unique behind-the-scenes look at ongoing excavations.
While Troy itself may not take a full day to explore, you can combine your visit with other attractions in the region, such as the Gallipoli Peninsula, which has significant World War I history, or the ancient city of Assos, known for its stunning views and historical sites. The overall experience of exploring Troy is enriched by your interest in history and mythology.
Should I take a tour to visit Troy?
Whether you should take a tour to visit Troy or explore it independently depends on your preferences, interests, and travel style. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so consider the following factors when making your decision:
Taking a Tour:
Guided Insight: Tours typically provide a knowledgeable guide who can offer historical context, share interesting stories, and answer your questions, enhancing your understanding of Troy's significance and history.
Efficiency: Tours often have a set itinerary, making the most of your time by ensuring you see the key highlights and cover the most important information in a short period.
Transportation and Logistics: Tours usually handle transportation to and from Troy, which can be especially convenient if you're not familiar with the area and its roads.
Group Experience: You have the opportunity to meet and interact with fellow travelers, which can enhance your experience, particularly if you enjoy socializing and making new friends.
Added Context: Guides can offer insights into Greek mythology and the archaeological significance of Troy, making the experience more educational.
