Gökçeada Greek Villages is an urban protected area in Çanakkale consisting of five villages: Zeytinli, Tepeköy, Kaleköy, Dereköy, and Eski Bademli; its stone house architecture is preserved, and with its centuries-old churches and pounded coffee tradition, it forms the island's historical route.
There are five villages built on the hills in the interior of Gökçeada: Zeytinli, Tepeköy, Kaleköy, Dereköy, and Eski Bademli. All are designated as urban protected areas, with their stone house architecture under preservation. It's no coincidence that the villages start from the hills rather than the coast; in the past, settlements were established inland to avoid pirate raids. In the 1960s, over five thousand Greeks lived here. With emigration, most houses became empty, and in some villages, many doors are still closed today.
Zeytinli is 3 km from the district center, nestled on an olive grove-covered slope. The island's pounded coffee tradition is most alive here, and the village coffee houses are still bustling. The island's oldest church, Agios Georgios, is also here. 4 km away in Eski Bademli, there is the Church of Virgin Mary, an old laundry house, and an abandoned school building; its high position overlooking the island is referred to as "the island's balcony." Kaleköy is 4 km from the center, named after Byzantine castle ruins, and is the district's liveliest village in summer. The churches of Agios Nikolaos and Agia Marina are here. Tepeköy, 10 km away, is the island's highest village, with the churches of Panagia and Agia Maria. Dereköy, 16 km away, is the largest Greek village, but most houses are still empty, and the historic laundry house where village women used to wash clothes together is still standing.
These villages are not just a single stop, but a route that will last a whole day. Breakfast in Kaleköy in the morning, pounded coffee in the stone streets of Zeytinli in the afternoon, and heading up to Tepeköy to watch the sunset in the evening is a logical sequence. A car is essential. Although the villages are close to each other, public transport is not frequent.
Related discoveries: Places to visit in Çanakkale, Historical Places, Historical places in Çanakkale, Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial.
Guide's Note
Five villages, one route
Zeytinli, Tepeköy, Kaleköy, Dereköy, and Eski Bademli, these five villages are the Greek settlements of Gökçeada declared as urban protected areas. Their stone house architecture is preserved, and their streets largely retain their past appearance. In the 1960s, over five thousand Greek inhabitants lived in these villages, but with emigration, most houses became empty. Today, closed shutters stand alongside restored stone houses on some streets.
When to visit
June and September are the most balanced periods in terms of both temperature and tranquility. In July-August, the island becomes crowded, and the coffee houses and taverns in the villages also get busy. Some businesses may be closed in winter, so spring or early autumn might be preferable.
How to get to the villages
Zeytinli is 3 km from the center, Eski Bademli 4 km, Kaleköy 4 km, Tepeköy 10 km, and Dereköy 16 km away. These distances are meant to be covered by car, not on foot. After crossing to the island by ferry, visiting the villages with a rental car or your own vehicle is the most practical way.
A one-day village route
Starting from Kaleköy in the morning to see the castle ruins and the churches of Agios Nikolaos and Agia Marina is a logical opening. Moving to Zeytinli around noon for a break with pounded coffee, then heading up to Eski Bademli's viewpoint fills the middle of the day. If time permits, going up to Tepeköy to watch the sunset, and for those with more time, adding Dereköy's historic laundry house to the route is possible.
How many days to allocate
It's possible to visit all five villages in one day, but it can be tiring. Dividing it into two days, one day for Kaleköy and Zeytinli, and the next day for Tepeköy, Dereköy, and Eski Bademli, provides a more relaxed pace. In a general travel program combined with Gökçeada's other coves and beaches, considering this as part of a total 3-4 day trip to the island for these villages is realistic.
Things to consider
Some churches are not always open to visitors, especially in deserted villages (like Dereköy), where doors may be found locked. There are few gas stations along the way, so it's necessary to fill up the vehicle before entering the villages. In summer, there isn't much shade on the stone streets of some villages, so carrying a hat and water is useful.
Photo spots
Eski Bademli's high position is a good spot for capturing the general view of the island. Zeytinli's stone streets and old coffee house facades, and angles where Kaleköy's castle ruins merge with the sea view are also preferred.
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