Blue Flag beaches are beaches that have been certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). To become blue flag, beaches must meet strict standards regarding the quality, safety, environmental education, and information provided. Typically blue flag beaches are the cleanest and prettiest in the world, and as a result are very rarely public. Upkeep is a critical feature of the certification, and local governments or municipalities must put in a lot of resources and time just to acquire it.

This is all to say that the public beaches of Çanakkale are truly world class. Here are 5 of not just the best public beaches in the world, but 5 of the best beaches in the world period, and reminders of what a special place Çanakkale is!

Küçükkuyu Mıhlı Public Beach

Küçükkuyu, literally "Little Well," is a beach known as "the place where the Aegean Sea begins." It's small and relatively quiet, located along the shores of the Mıhlı River. This means that the waters here are a little bit colder than the rest of the Aegean as there's the nearby fresh water flowing into the sea. The bridge you'll see over the river dates back to the Roman era, and may date back to the days of Troy.

Geyikli Beach

 

This beach is situated in a wonderfully picturesque location, overlooking the island of Bozcaada. It's a great place to sit back, drink a cup of Turkish tea and enjoy the magnificent view before you. It's just 17 km away from the town of Ezine (famous for its cheese), and you can even sail to the distant shores of Bozcaada from the beach itself.

The name of the beach means "Deer Beach," and the unspoiled nature that surrounds the entire beach tells you exactly why. Pine trees and olive orchards line the countryside as far as the eye can see. It's a piece of natural beauty and the waters are as crystal clear as anywhere you'll find.

Hamzakoy Beach

 

Hamzakoy is a large, 1-km-long beach with clean golden sands. The services along the beach are as excellent as you'd expect, with multiple showers, 300 umbrellas, and plenty of changing rooms and cafes to enjoy the view from. The sand is incredibly fine at Hamzakoy, and the sand quality and sea quality is regulated by the local authorities to maintain their high standards.

Kepez Beach

This beach, located to the south of the Dardanelles Strait, is a bit windier than others due to the open nature of the surrounding area. The sea is extremely clean as a result, as the currents for a regular inflow of water. The waves are a little bit higher here, and on the best days you can even do some minor windsurfing. But it's a great beach for families with kids who enjoy playing in the waves.

Barış Beach

This beach (literally "Peace Beach") is the closest to the Çanakkale city center, and it's also one of the best places in the region to swim. The whole beach smells like the surrounding pine trees and the sea is a beautiful color of blue. As it's a walk along the boardwalk to the city center, there's nothing better than watching the sun set as the shores of Gallipoli sit across the water before taking an evening stroll with a fresh ice cream along the boardwalk to the city center of the wonderful city of Çanakkale.