Some stories never really leave us. They travel from ancient poems to books, from books to films, and eventually become places we dream of visiting ourselves. With Homer’s legendary world returning to the big screen in the latest adaptation of The Odyssey, there has never been a better time to discover the real Troy, the ancient city in Türkiye where history and legend have been intertwined for thousands of years.
Located in Çanakkale on Türkiye’s North Aegean coast, Troy offers travellers the rare chance to step beyond the screen and into a landscape that has inspired some of the world’s most enduring stories. While the tales of Achilles, Hector, King Priam and Odysseus belong to the world of mythology, the ancient city itself is very real, with more than 5,000 years of history waiting to be explored.
What makes Troy particularly fascinating is that its story is still unfolding. Archaeologists continue to uncover new discoveries at the site, offering fresh glimpses into the lives of the people who once inhabited this legendary city. During the 2026 excavation season, researchers have uncovered grand colonnaded avenues and shopfronts in the Lower City, revealing more about everyday life and commerce during the Roman era. Elsewhere, excavations are examining traces of destruction around the Southern Gate and exploring Bronze Age palace structures within the Citadel.
Walking through Troy today feels like moving through layers of time. The ancient city contains ten distinct archaeological layers, reflecting thousands of years of settlement from the Early Bronze Age through the Eastern Roman period. Monumental walls, ancient streets and the remains of successive settlements tell a story that extends far beyond the Trojan War, revealing Troy as an important centre of trade and cultural exchange at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Of course, it is the connection to Homer that continues to give Troy its extraordinary sense of wonder. The city immortalised in The Iliad became the setting for one of history’s greatest tales of love, war, loyalty and heroism. Archaeological research continues to uncover clues about the ancient settlement and its possible connections to the world described in Homer’s epics, making a visit feel like an encounter between mythology and history.
And there is much more to discover beyond the legendary characters. Troy’s strategic location near the Dardanelles helped make it an important settlement for centuries, while discoveries including Hittite texts and a Luwian seal have added new dimensions to our understanding of its Anatolian heritage. The result is a destination where every ruin, wall and artefact adds another piece to a story that has captivated generations.
For a deeper look into that story, the nearby Troy Museum offers an immersive journey through the city’s remarkable past. Designed to complement the archaeological site, the museum brings together artefacts uncovered during excavations and explores Troy through a series of exhibitions that reveal not only its famous legends, but also the science and archaeology behind them. Together, the museum and ancient city allow visitors to experience Troy beyond the familiar stories of the Trojan Horse and the Trojan War.
There is something special about visiting a place you may have first encountered through a story. As The Odyssey introduces a new generation to the world of Homer, a journey to Troy offers the chance to take that fascination one step further. Instead of simply watching the ancient world unfold on screen, you can stand among its ruins, walk through its historic landscape and imagine the lives that once unfolded here.
Some destinations offer beautiful views; others offer unforgettable experiences. Troy offers something even more enduring, the feeling of standing inside a story that has survived for thousands of years. And as new discoveries continue to emerge from beneath its soil, perhaps the most fascinating chapter of Troy’s story is still being written.
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