The city of Canakkale lies at the narrow, 1,200 meter entrance to the Canakkale Strait that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean whose shores touch both Europe and Asia. Passenger and car ferries run daily between Canakkale on the Asian side; Eceabat and Kilitbahir on the European side. Yachts navigating the straits stop at the well equipped Canakkale Marina to allow tourists more time in the area.

Hotels, restaurants and cafes along the promenade, offer a place to enjoy the comings and goings of the harbor, and view of the Kilitbahir Fortress and the Canakkale Archaeological Museum. In 1451, Sultan Mehmet II, later the conqueror of istanbul, built one fortress on the European side of the Canakkale Strait at Kilitbahir and one on the opposite shore at Cimenlik to control the passage of ships through the strait. Today the Cimenlik fortress serves as a military museum dedicated to the Canakkale Battle.