Private Assos and Bozcaada Tour from Çanakkale
The temple of Athena high above the Aegean, then a ferry to the island of Bozcaada and its castle.
Photo: David Spender / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Duration
- Full day (about 10 hours)
- Region
- Aegean, Çanakkale
- Walking
- Moderate
- Starts
- Early morning, from your hotel in Çanakkale
Best for Returning visitors
Tour code MRM-D05
The essence
A private Assos Bozcaada tour pairs an ancient city on a volcanic hill with an island across the water. First, your guide takes you up to Assos, where the Athena Temple stands on the acropolis about 238 meters (780 feet) above the shore. Then you drive to the coast and take the ferry to Bozcaada. There, you visit the castle that Mehmed II repaired and Mahmud II practically rebuilt in 1815, and walk through the town.
Highlights
- The Athena Temple on the acropolis of Assos
- A city built of volcanic andesite
- The ferry to Bozcaada
- Bozcaada Castle, rebuilt in 1815
- The lanes of the island town
Program
-
Morning
Pick-up in Çanakkale
Your driver collects you from your hotel.
-
Late morning
Assos on the Assos Bozcaada tour
The acropolis and the Athena Temple above the sea.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
To the ferry
The drive along the coast to the ferry pier.
-
Afternoon
Bozcaada
The castle, then a walk through the town.
Opening hours & dress code -
Evening
Back
The ferry back and the drive to your hotel.
In depth
On the hill above the harbor at Assos, the columns of a temple stand against the sky, with the sea far below. A private Assos Bozcaada tour starts there and ends on an island across the water.
Assos on the Assos Bozcaada Tour
A city on a volcanic hill
Assos lies within the village of Behramkale. Its founding was long dated to the 7th century BC, but recent work has traced it back to the Bronze Age. The city stands on a volcanic hill about 238 meters above the shore, and almost every building is made of andesite, a hard volcanic stone.
The Athena Temple
At the highest point, on the acropolis, stands the Athena Temple. It dates from the 6th century BC and was built for the goddess who protected the city. So the climb up is the main event of the morning. To start early, you can sleep the night before in Behramkale at Assos Nar Konak, a family house of five rooms.
From our guides
Our suggestion Climb to the Athena Temple before midday: from there, you look down to the sea and across the water.
Bozcaada
The castle
Then your driver takes you to the ferry for Bozcaada. On the island, the castle’s first builders are unknown. However, Mehmed II repaired it thoroughly, and its inscriptions show that it was practically rebuilt under Mahmud II in 1815.
The town
After the castle, you walk through the town before the ferry back. On another day, see our Gallipoli and Troy tour from Çanakkale. Nearby, our Gallipoli day trip visits Anzac Cove, and our Troy day trip goes to the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and the ruins of Troy.
Would you like a day at Assos and on Bozcaada? Choose a date, and we will pair the Athena Temple at Assos with the castle and the town on Bozcaada.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- Ticketed archaeological site
-
- Entry
- Island, no ticket needed; we arrange the ferry
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the day, with pick-up from your hotel
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Entrance tickets and the ferry, unless agreed in your program
- Meals and drinks
- Tips
“He answered all my questions, kept me updated and made sure everything went smoothly.”
From your guide
What to wear
Shoes with good grip for the steep path at Assos, and a hat.
Best time
Spring to autumn. In summer, we start early.
Photos
From the Athena Temple, you look down to the sea and across the water. Go up before midday for clearer light.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Early morning, from your hotel in Çanakkale
- Ends
- Your hotel in Çanakkale
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Çanakkale or the area
- Walking
- Moderate: a steep climb at Assos and walking on the island.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs. The climb at Assos is steep and uneven.
- Cancellation
- In strong wind, the ferries may change their schedule; we then adjust the day.
Frequently asked questions
How old is the Athena Temple on the Assos Bozcaada tour?
It dates from the 6th century BC.
How do we reach Bozcaada on the Assos Bozcaada tour?
By ferry from the coast. Your driver takes you to the pier.
Can we stay overnight on Bozcaada?
Yes. We can turn the Assos Bozcaada tour into two days with a night on the island.
Is the Assos Bozcaada tour suitable for kids and seniors?
Yes, for children and older travelers who can walk on uneven ground. Tell us your needs. The climb at Assos is steep and uneven.
How much walking is there?
Moderate: a steep climb at Assos and walking on the island.
What should I wear?
Shoes with good grip for the steep path at Assos, and a hat.
Can we customize the Assos Bozcaada tour?
Yes. It is private, so we can give Assos or Bozcaada more time, as long as we keep to the ferry.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
A full day, about 10 hours. Since it is private, we can spend longer in Assos or keep Bozcaada short.
