Van fortress, nearby the city of Van near Lake Van

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Van

More urban, more casual and less rigorous, Van is very different in spirit from the rest of southeastern Anatolia. Young couples walk hand in hand on the main drag, live bands knock out Kurdish tunes in pubs, and a resilient population coping with the impact of recent earthquakes inspire a satisfying urban buzz.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

Van Castle & Old Van
Van
About 4km west of the centre, Van Castle dominates the view of the city. Visit at sunset for great views across the lake. From the summit the foundations…
Van Museum
Van
This gleaming glass structure at the foot of Van Castle, built after Van's original museum was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes, houses the world's pre…
Çavuştepe
Van
The ruins of the Urartian fortress of Sarduri-Hinili, built by King Sardur II between 764 and 735 BC, sit scattered atop a rocky hill at Çavuştepe. The…
Hoşap Castle
Van
Hoşap Castle, built in 1643 by a local Kurdish chieftain, looms over the village of Güzelsu from its rocky perch. From the castle entrance you can see the…
Hz Ömer Cami
Van
This large, pale-yellow mosque is one of central Van's major landmarks.
Ulu Cami
Van
Van's Grand Mosque is a major landmark in the central city.

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