Ezine sits at the heart of the Troad, between Troy, Bozcaada, Assos and Mount Ida. We bring together the region's ancient cities, beaches and food, with distances from our hotel and a day-by-day itinerary.
Ezine may look like a small country town on the map, but it sits right at the heart of the Troad, the ancient region around Troy. On one side are ancient cities such as Troy and Alexandria Troas; on the other, the Geyikli coast and the ferry to Bozcaada; a little further on lie Assos and Mount Ida, with the Gallipoli battlefields just across the Dardanelles. As a family that has lived and worked in Ezine since 1953, we have brought together the best things to see in the area, distances from our hotel and a day-by-day itinerary in this guide.
Yükseloğulları Otel is located on the Çanakkale–İzmir highway in Bozeli village, Ezine. Approximate distances to the main sights are:
For directions, see our Location & Getting Here page.
Within the boundaries of Dalyan village, Alexandria Troas was the main harbour of the region in Roman times, and its population is estimated to have reached around 100,000. Its great bath complex, one of the largest Roman bath buildings in Anatolia, is the city's landmark. It is also the Troas of the New Testament, from whose harbour St Paul first sailed for Europe (Acts 16). We cover its monuments and visitor information in our Alexandria Troas guide.
Formed in the old inner harbour of Alexandria Troas, this lake turns shades of pink and red at certain times because of microscopic algae, and when the water level drops it takes on the shape of a heart. Find out when it turns pink and the rules for visiting in Ezine Pink Lake.
On the slopes of Mount Çığrı, giant granite columns cut in Roman times still lie where they were left. Granite from these hills was shipped across the Mediterranean. Read the story of the columns, known locally as Yedi Taşlar, in our Yahyaçavuş column quarry guide.
High on Mount Çığrı, Neandria is an ancient settlement older than Alexandria Troas. When Alexandria Troas was founded, the people of the smaller towns around it were moved to the new city, and Neandria was abandoned. Today its ruins and wide views attract keen hikers.
Ezine town centre is the area's hub for shopping and everyday life. Among its Ottoman-era buildings, the Seferşah Hamam stands out. While you are here, don't leave without tasting Ezine cheese, the geographically protected cheese that carries the town's name.
Near Alexandria Troas, Kestanbol is a spa area known for its thermal waters. We recommend checking the current status and opening hours of the facilities before you go.
Ezine town itself is inland; the district's coastline stretches along seaside villages such as Geyikli, Dalyan and Tavaklı. Geyikli, with Yükyeri Pier where the Bozcaada ferries depart, is the area's gateway to the sea. In summer, this coast is popular for swimming and sunsets over the Aegean.
Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 20 km (12 miles) from our hotel. The ruins of its cities, built one on top of another, and the Troy Museum at the entrance can be visited on the same day. For details, see our Troy and Troy Museum guide.
With its vineyards, castle and coves, Bozcaada is reached by ferry from Geyikli Yükyeri Pier in about 35 minutes. We cover tickets, taking your car and timetables in How to Get to Bozcaada.
At Gülpınar in the Ayvacık district, this sanctuary is the only known Apollo cult in Anatolia associated with the mouse, and its temple is unique for its reliefs depicting scenes from the Iliad. Read its story in our guide to the Temple of Apollo Smintheus.
Built on a volcanic hill overlooking the Aegean, Assos is famous for its Temple of Athena, the only known Doric temple from the Archaic period in Anatolia. We describe what to see in our Assos guide.
The mountain of the Judgement of Paris, known today as Kaz Dağları, is one of the most remarkable landscapes in the region for both its myths and its nature. We explain how to explore it from the Çanakkale side, via Bayramiç, Evciler and Ayazma, in our Mount Ida guide.
About 45 km (28 miles) from our hotel, the city of Çanakkale is home to Çimenlik Castle, the Aynalı Çarşı (Mirrored Bazaar) and the Çanakkale Naval Museum. Across the Dardanelles lies the Gallipoli Historical Site, with the Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial and the 57th Infantry Regiment Memorial. For visitors from Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair (Conkbayırı) are the heart of the visit, and the Anzac Day Dawn Service is held on the peninsula every year on 25 April. You can cross to the peninsula by ferry from Çanakkale.
To see the region without rushing, we recommend allowing at least three to four days. Here is a sample plan:
Cross the Dardanelles from Çanakkale and spend the day on the Gallipoli Peninsula. If time allows, stroll along the Çanakkale waterfront in the evening before heading back to the hotel.
Start with the Troy Museum, then explore the ruins. Allow at least half a day to see both without rushing.
Visit the Yahyaçavuş column quarries in the morning, then move on to Alexandria Troas. End the day with sunset by the Pink Lake or at the ancient harbour.
For island life, take the ferry from Geyikli to Bozcaada. If you would rather see more ancient sites, choose the Ayvacık route, taking in the Temple of Apollo Smintheus, Babakale, the westernmost point of mainland Asia, and Assos. Nature lovers may want to add a day on Mount Ida.
Ezine is best known for its geographically protected cheese, made from a blend of sheep's, goat's and cow's milk. We tell the story of the cheese our family has been making since 1953 in What Is Ezine Cheese and How Is It Made?
To taste these flavours on the spot, start your day with our village breakfast spread, and after a day of sightseeing, try the traditional dishes of the North Aegean at our restaurant. In the farm shop next to the restaurant, you can buy Ezine cheese, olive oil, honey and butter. If you are just passing through, see our guide to a breakfast stop on the Çanakkale–İzmir road.
Our hotel sits between the routes to Troy, Alexandria Troas, the Geyikli ferry pier and Assos. Breakfast is included for hotel guests, who also receive 20% off at our restaurant and 5% off at our factory outlets, as listed on our Offers page. Free parking and an EV charging station are also available.
To compare different bases in the region, read Where to Stay Near Troy and Ezine. You can view our rooms and book directly with us.
Ezine is a district town in the southwest of Çanakkale province, on the Çanakkale–İzmir highway. Its closeness to Troy, Alexandria Troas and Bozcaada puts it at the centre of many itineraries in the region.
Ezine is best known for its geographically protected Ezine cheese. The ancient city of Alexandria Troas, the Pink Lake and the Roman column quarries within the district are among the area's other highlights.
Ezine town is inland, but villages in the district such as Geyikli, Dalyan and Tavaklı lie on the Aegean coast. Our hotel is about 15 km (9 miles) from Geyikli Yükyeri Pier.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as of October 2026, entry to Alexandria Troas is free. Troy, Assos and the Temple of Apollo Smintheus charge admission, and non-Turkish visitors pay in euros. The Yahyaçavuş column quarries are on open land, with no ticket office. Check the Ministry's official pages for current prices.
Allow at least three to four days to see Gallipoli, Troy and the main sights around Ezine. If you also want to include Bozcaada, Assos and Mount Ida, a plan of five days or more is more comfortable.
Places to Visit
At Gülpınar near Assos stands the only known sanctuary in Anatolia where Apollo was worshipped as lord of the mice. We cover its Iliad friezes, the lost statue of Apollo and how to plan your visit.
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Places to Visit
Perched on a volcanic hill above the Aegean, Assos was home to Aristotle and a stop on St Paul's travels. We cover the Temple of Athena, the lower city, sunset tips and how to plan your visit.
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Places to Visit
Ferries to Bozcaada leave from Geyikli Yükyeri port, 15 km from our hotel. We explain how tickets work, whether to take your car, how summer and winter sailings differ and how to avoid the queues.
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Places to Visit
Formed in the former inner harbour of Alexandria Troas, Ezine's Pink Lake takes on a heart shape and shades of pink at certain times of year. We explain why it changes colour, when to see it and how to visit.
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Accommodations
Troy, Gallipoli, Bozcaada or Assos: where you stay shapes your whole trip. We compare Çanakkale, the Ezine area, the Geyikli coast, Bozcaada and Assos to help you choose the best base for your plans.
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Places to Visit
Mount Ida, the mountain of Greek myth now known as Kaz Dağları, can be explored from the Çanakkale side via Bayramiç, Evciler and Ayazma. We cover its legends, nature, route and the rules to know before you go.
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Places to Visit
Near Ezine, on the slopes of Mount Çığrı, giant Roman granite columns still lie where they were cut. We explain their story, their size, how Troad granite reached Rome and what to know before you visit.
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Places to Visit
Driving between Çanakkale and İzmir? Stop on the road in Ezine for a Turkish village breakfast spread and a proper rest. We explain what is on the table, how to find us and tips for your break.
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Local Delicacies
In the Ezine district of Çanakkale, cheese means one thing. But what sets it apart from other white cheeses, how is it made, and why does it carry a geographical indication? As a family producing in the same region since 1953, we take you through each step.
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Places to Visit
Once the main harbour of the Troad with up to 100,000 inhabitants, Alexandria Troas near Ezine is one of Anatolia's largest ancient cities. We cover its ruins, its links to St Paul and how to plan your visit.
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Places to Visit
Troy, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Homer's Iliad, is just 20 km (12 miles) from our hotel. We explain its layers, what to see at the ruins and in the Troy Museum, and how to plan your visit.
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