Anzac Cove (Anzak Koyu) is a narrow crescent of shingle beach on the western coast of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Çanakkale Province, Turkey — the precise location where Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops began landing in the predawn hours of 25 April 1915. The cove is flanked by steep ridges and gullies that immediately challenged the landing forces and, combined with determined Ottoman resistance commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal, determined the shape of an eight-month campaign that cost approximately 130,000 lives from all sides.
Today Anzac Cove is a place of quiet pilgrimage. A low concrete wall bearing the Atatürk Memorial inscription — his famous 1934 words addressed to the mothers of fallen ANZAC soldiers — lines the road above the beach. The memorial tablet is the most-photographed object in the ANZAC zone. The beach itself is accessible via steps from the road; at low tide it is narrow and stony, with clear Aegean water giving little visual indication of the events that unfolded here.
The cove is part of the Gallipoli Historical National Park and is managed as an outdoor memorial site. There are no commercial facilities at the beach itself. The road above the cove connects to Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair to the south, and to the Ariburnu Cemetery and the Sphinx ridgeline viewpoints to the north. Walking the road between these sites takes 20–30 minutes and gives a strong sense of the terrain that defined the campaign.
ANZAC Day commemorations on 25 April include a pre-dawn ceremony at the cove attended by tens of thousands of visitors, making it one of the most significant annual gatherings in Australasian cultural life. Outside this date, the cove is visited year-round and is often quiet on weekdays.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Best time
- morning
Location
Anzak Koyu, Eceabat, Çanakkale (Gallipoli Peninsula)
40.2445, 26.2930 View on map
Highlights
- Site of the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 — the foundational event in Australian and New Zealand national memory
- Atatürk Memorial inscription above the beach: his 1934 message addressed to ANZAC mothers, a landmark of post-war reconciliation
- Narrow shingle beach flanked by steep ridges giving immediate context for the landing conditions
- Connection by road to Lone Pine Cemetery and Chunuk Bair for a complete ANZAC-area circuit
- Annual ANZAC Day pre-dawn ceremony, one of the largest commemorative gatherings in the Southern Hemisphere
Tips for visiting
- Visit on any day except the week around 25 April for a quiet, reflective experience
- ANZAC Day accommodation must be booked many months in advance; most visitors base themselves in Eceabat or Çanakkale
- Combine with Lone Pine Cemetery (15 min by car south) and Chunuk Bair in a single visit
- The beach access steps are steep — wear shoes with grip and hold the handrail
- No facilities at the cove itself; carry water and snacks for the surrounding circuit
- Morning visits offer the best photography light from the ridge above the cove
When to visit
Early morning is most atmospheric, when the cove is quiet and the ridge catches the first light. Spring (April–June) offers mild weather; ANZAC Day (25 April) is crowded but deeply meaningful for Australian and New Zealand visitors.
Accessibility
The road above Anzac Cove is paved and accessible by car. The steps down to the beach involve a steep descent and are not accessible for wheelchairs. The Atatürk Memorial inscription wall is viewable from the road-level path without descending to the beach.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is Anzac Cove free to visit?
Yes, admission is free and the site is open 24 hours as part of the Gallipoli Historical National Park.
What is the significance of the Atatürk inscription at Anzac Cove?
The inscription, composed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1934, addresses the mothers of fallen ANZAC soldiers, expressing that the soldiers who died at Gallipoli have become sons of Turkey, resting in a friendly land. The text is considered one of the most significant statements of post-war reconciliation in diplomatic history.
How long should visitors allow at Anzac Cove?
The cove and memorial wall can be viewed in 30–45 minutes. Combining with the nearby Ariburnu Cemetery and a walk along the ridge above takes approximately 90 minutes total.