Each year on 25 April, travellers from Australia and New Zealand gather on a quiet stretch of Turkish coast to remember the men who landed here in 1915. Attending ANZAC Day at Gallipoli is a deliberate act of remembrance, and it rewards careful planning. This guide covers what the day commemorates, how the services run, and the practical details that separate a difficult day from a meaningful one.
What ANZAC Day commemorates
ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, during the First World War. The land campaign lasted around eight months and cost tens of thousands of lives on all sides before the Allied forces withdrew. The day has since grown into a broader tribute to all who have served, but at Gallipoli the focus returns to that first landing and the ground where it happened. Standing at ANZAC Cove at dawn, with the same ridges rising behind the beach, gives the history a directness no museum can match.
The Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove
The centrepiece of the day is the Dawn Service, held at the commemorative site at ANZAC Cove in the dark hours before sunrise. Attendees are seated well before it begins, so a near-sleepless night is part of the experience. The service is timed so its most solemn moment falls as first light appears over the peninsula, roughly the hour the troops came ashore in 1915. Expect readings, the Ode of Remembrance, the Last Post, a period of silence, and the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.
Access is controlled and security is thorough. Once inside the commemorative area you stay there until the morning services conclude, which is why warm clothing and patience matter so much.
The Australian service at Lone Pine
After the Dawn Service, the crowd moves uphill to the national services. The Australian ceremony takes place mid-morning at Lone Pine, the site of one of the campaign’s most costly actions and now home to the Lone Pine Memorial, which records thousands of Australians with no known grave. The walk up from the cove is steady, following the road past the cemeteries and old front lines. Reaching Lone Pine on foot, past the graves of men your own age, is part of what makes the commemoration land so hard.
The New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair
Higher still on the ridgeline sits Chunuk Bair, where the New Zealand service is held. This was the objective New Zealand troops briefly reached in the August offensive of 1915, and the summit offers a clear view across the peninsula to the straits the campaign was fought to control. The ceremony here draws a smaller, quieter crowd than Lone Pine, and many find it the most affecting service of the day for exactly that reason.
How the day runs
The rhythm of ANZAC Day is long and physical. Most visitors reach the peninsula the day before, cross the Dardanelles by ferry near Eceabat or Canakkale, and are transferred to the commemorative area late on the evening of 24 April. The sequence usually runs like this:
- Late evening: arrival and seating at the ANZAC Cove commemorative site
- Before dawn on 25 April: the Dawn Service
- Mid-morning: the Australian service at Lone Pine
- Around midday: the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair
Between the services you will be on your feet, often walking uphill in a large crowd. Many tours pair the commemorations with time at nearby sites such as Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Johnston’s Jolly and The Nek. Reaching the peninsula means a road journey of around 330 km and roughly four hours from Istanbul, which is why almost everyone travels as part of an organised group.
Book well ahead
ANZAC Day is the single busiest day of the year on the peninsula, and it is not something to leave late. Accommodation in Canakkale, Eceabat and the surrounding towns fills many months in advance, and transfers into the controlled commemorative area are tightly managed. Booking early secures a confirmed place, a sensible itinerary, and a guide who knows the site and the schedule. Our range of Gallipoli tours includes options built specifically around the 25 April commemorations, and it is worth securing your spot as soon as your dates are set.
If you are visiting outside the anniversary and want the same ground without the crowds, a private full-day tour from Istanbul lets you move at your own pace through the cemeteries and battlefields.
What to bring
The most common mistake first-time attendees make is underdressing. The night before dawn on the peninsula is genuinely cold, often near freezing, and you will be seated outdoors for hours with little chance to move. Pack for the cold first and comfort second:
- Warm layers, including a thermal base layer, a fleece or jumper, and a windproof jacket
- A beanie, gloves and warm socks
- A waterproof layer, as rain is common in late April
- A small blanket or sleeping mat to sit on through the night
- Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes for the uphill walks between services
- Water, snacks, and any personal medication
- A small torch and a fully charged phone
Bag restrictions apply at the commemorative site, so travel light and check the current rules with your tour operator before you go.
A day to approach with respect
The atmosphere at Gallipoli on 25 April is unlike ordinary sightseeing. This is a war memorial and, for many present, a personal pilgrimage to the grave of a relative. Attendees keep their voices low during the services, dress modestly, and stay for the silences. The mood is reflective, not celebratory. Following the guides and officials, staying with your group, and giving the ceremonies your full attention are the simplest ways to honour the ground you stand on.
Frequently asked questions
How cold does it get at ANZAC Cove before dawn?
Late April nights on the peninsula frequently drop to around or just above freezing, with wind off the water making it feel colder still. Because you are seated outdoors from the evening of 24 April until the morning services finish, warm layers and something to sit on are essential, not optional.
Do I need to book a tour to attend, or can I go independently?
Access to the commemorative area on 25 April is controlled, and transport, accommodation and entry are all in heavy demand. The overwhelming majority of visitors attend as part of an organised tour, which handles the ferry crossing, transfers and timing. Booking early is strongly advised, as places and nearby accommodation sell out months ahead.
Can I visit Gallipoli on a normal day instead of ANZAC Day?
Yes. The battlefields, cemeteries and memorials are open year-round and are far quieter outside the anniversary. A Gallipoli day trip from Istanbul covers the key sites in a single day, while a two-day Gallipoli, Troy and Pergamon tour pairs the peninsula with the ancient sites nearby.
If you are planning to be at Gallipoli for the 25 April commemorations, or to walk the battlefields at a quieter time of year, our team has guided ANZAC visitors since 2002 and can help you build the right itinerary. Get in touch to reserve your place for ANZAC Day well before it sells out.