This paper presents the results of an extensive ground characterization study carried within the context of a Horizon 2020 Project, “Liquefact”. The project aims to develop a low-accuracy liquefaction risk map for European countries based on past liquefaction occurrences and existing geological, geotechnical and seismological information. This risk map will be validated and/or optimized after performing site-specific, localized analyses in four regions denoted as “testing sites”. In this context, Canakkale city center was selected as the test site in Marmara Region by Istanbul University team and ground characterization was performed from a liquefaction point of view. Canakkale city center is founded on loose, saturated sand and silts and is characterized by a high seismic hazard and therefore fullfills the criteria as a test site. Within the context of the study, pre-existing studies carried out in the region were first collected and evaluated. The areas which were susceptible to liquefaction were determined and six study areas in the test site were selected accordingly. A complementary investigation campaign was then planned for these six study areas taking into account that the data will be used in liquefaction assessment studies. Ground characterization focused on coarse-grained soils including clean sands, silty-sands and non-plastic sandy-silts deposits in view of the susceptibility of these geomaterials to liquefaction. This paper summarizes these complementary studies carried out in the region, gives examples from the evaluations that were made in one of the study areas and evaluates the findings from a soil characterization point.