Things to do in Van
-
Van Castle
Nothing is quite so impressive in Van as the Van Castle, which dominates the view of the city. About 3km west of the city centre, it's a wonderful place to come for a picnic.
Just past the spot where the minibus drops you, on the northern side of the rock, is a modern mosque and the tomb of Abdurrahman Gazi, a Muslim holy man. It's frequently visited by pilgrims including infertile women who are thought to be helped by coming here. Further on, at the northwestern corner, you'll reach the ticket office, then the car park, where there are toilets and a tea garden.
A stairway from the car park leads up the rock. Once you've reached the summit, the old city reveals itself…
reviewed
-
A
Sütçü Fevzi
- Van, Turkey
- Restaurants › Cafe
Sütçü Fevzi has a few tables set up outside. Sütçü Fevzi will give you a typical Van breakfast experience. Van is famed for its tasty kahvaltı (breakfast). Skip the usually bland breakfast that is served in your hotel and head straight to Eski Sümerbank Sokak, also called 'Kahvaltı Sokak' (Breakfast St), a pedestrianised side street running parallel to Cumhuriyet Caddesi.
Drool over otlu peynir (cheese mixed with a tangy herb, Van's speciality), beyaz peynir (a mild yellow cheese), honey from the highlands (mmm!), olives, kayma (clotted cream), butter, tomatoes, cucumbers and yumurta (eggs).
reviewed
-
B
Sütçü Kenan
- Van, Turkey
- Restaurants › Cafe
Sütçü Kenan has a few tables set up outside. Sütçü Kenan will give you a typical Van breakfast experience. Van is famed for its tasty kahvaltı (breakfast). Skip the usually bland breakfast that is served in your hotel and head straight to Eski Sümerbank Sokak, also called 'Kahvaltı Sokak' (Breakfast St), a pedestrianised side street running parallel to Cumhuriyet Caddesi.
Drool over otlu peynir (cheese mixed with a tangy herb, Van's speciality), beyaz peynir (a mild yellow cheese), honey from the highlands (mmm!), olives, kayma (clotted cream), butter, tomatoes, cucumbers and yumurta (eggs).
reviewed
-
C
Van Museum
This compact museum was closed at the time of writing following the 2011 earthquakes, and a potential move to near Van Castle was also rumoured. Check at the tourist information office for the latest update.
The museum boasts an outstanding collection of Urartian exhibits, including exquisite gold jewellery, and an array of bronze belts, helmets, horse armour and terracotta figures.
The ethnographic exhibits upstairs include local Kurdish and Turkoman kilims and a carpeted sitting area, such as is found in village houses. The Genocide Section is a piece of one-sided propaganda displaying the contents of graves left from the massacres of Turks and Kurds by Armenians at…
reviewed
-
D
Saçi Beyaz Et Lokantası
With an appetising selection of pastries and other delicacies, carb lovers should make this pastry shop their first port of call. The vast, vivacious terrace is usually packed to bursting with Van's movers and shakers in the late afternoon. Snacks, pasta and grills available are routinely devoured in the upstairs restaurant section.
reviewed
-
E
Besse
If you're in search of a bit of sophistication, Besse fits the bill perfectly. It is done out in soothing yellow tones and features parquet flooring and dim lights. The kitchen turns out superior cooking, with an emphasis on grills, salads and stews - try the excellent ali nazik, Besse's signature dish. It's deep in the heart of a vibrant area on the 1st floor of a bland building. If only alcohol was available!
reviewed
-
F
Safa 3, Çorba 1 Paça Salonu
If you're an adventurous foodie, head to this quirky little restaurant. Regulars swear by the kelle (mutton's head) – the spicy lentil soup is more approachable.
reviewed
-
G
Barabar Türk Evi
The closest thing Van has to a pub, the Barabar is a definite rare breed in eastern Turkey. It may be lodged on the 1st floor of an unprepossessing building, but there is a fever-pitch energy with its mainly student crowd of both sexes gulping pints of frothy draught beer. Yes, BEER! It gets frantic at weekends, with a live band knocking out Kurdish tunes - tear it up on the dance floor if you dare.
reviewed
-
H
Tamara Ocakbaşı
A meal here is dizzying, especially for carnivores. In the Hotel Tamara, the dining room eatery features 40 ocak – each table has its own grill. Mood lighting adds a touch of atmosphere in the evening. High-quality meat and fish dishes feature prominently, but the list of meze is equally impressive.
reviewed
-
I
Çay Bahçesi
Van's undoubted social hub, this tea garden boasts lots of shade and greenery and is an attractive place to imbibe the atmosphere of central Van. It's deservedly packed with an eclectic crowd any time of the day. Nab a seat under the trees and linger over a cup of tea.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Antep Ocakbaşı
This eatery is up some stairs in an unremarkable block. The stomach-groaning menu features all the usual suspects, including mezes, pide, grills and kebaps. The crowd ranges from chattering families to giggling students and crusty old men, giving the place a nice buzz.
reviewed
-
K
Ayça Pastaneleri
With its see-and-be-seen glass front on the 1st floor and modern furnishings, this place lures in students in search of a pleasant spot to flirt and relax over toothsome baklavas and decent snacks.
reviewed
-
L
Simit Sarayı
Simit Sarayı Simit, simit, simit, get us our simit fix! If you can't find this bustling simit shop on the main drag you've either lost your eyesight or your sense of smell.
reviewed
-
M
Kebabistan
You're within safe boundaries here: the kitchen turns out expertly cooked kebaps (go for the kuşbaşı, with little morsels of beef). A second branch, across the street, specialises in pide. Getting there is half the fun: it's in a side street where men can be seen sitting on low chairs, playing backgammon and drinking tea.
reviewed
-
N
İkizler Lahmacun Salonu
Make a beeline for this little den off the main drag. It has been serving up pide and lahmacun to ravenous locals since 1962, so it really knows what it's doing when it comes to the national dish.
reviewed
-
O
Çınar Restaurant ve Et Lokantası
It's more or less the same story as for Kebabistan in this long-standing favourite. The eclectic menu focuses on pide, kebaps, grills and stews. The chef recommends the kaburga dolması.
reviewed
-
Mount Ararat Expedition
8 days (Van)
Ascend Mount Ararat (5137m), considered to be the resting place of Noah's Ark.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,990 -
P
Akdeniz Tantuni
This delightful little den on the main drag prepares devilish chicken sandwiches at paupers' prices, in the tantuni style from the Akdeniz (Mediterranean) city of Mersin.
reviewed
-
Q
Halay Türkü Bar
Multiple floors add up to multiple ways to enjoy Van's low-key nightlife scene. Kick off with tasty meze and grilled meat before graduating to draught beer, generously poured local spirits and regular live music.
reviewed
-
R
Güven
Another treasure trove for the sweet tooth, on the main thoroughfare.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Çavuşoğlu
Luscious ice creams and dangerously good baklavas.
reviewed
-
T
-
U
Kervansaray
Upstairs from the bustle of Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Kervansaray is Van's go-to spot for a more elegant and refined dining experience. Dive into a few shared plates of excellent meze as you peruse a menu containing more than a few local specialities. Fans of incredibly tender lamb should definitely consider the kağıt kebap (paper kebab), wrapped and cooked delicately in paper.
reviewed
-
Van Castle (Van Kalesi) & Eski Van
About 4km west of the centre, Van Castle dominates the view of the city. Try to visit at sunset for great views across the lake.
The site is fairly spread out, something to bear in mind when it's scorching hot. Ask to be dropped off the bus at the northwestern corner of the rock, where there's the ticket office and a tea garden.
Just past the ticket office is an old stone bridge and some willows. To the left, a stairway leads up the rock. On your way up is a ruined mosque with a minaret, as well as an arched-roof building, which used to be a Koranic school.
From the summit the foundations of Eski Van (the old city) reveal themselves on the southern side of the rock. The…
reviewed
-
V
North Shield
Go on – wanting a cold pint in a dusty Kurdish city is not a hanging offence. Head to the North Shield in the Hotel Tamara for a familiar English pub-type ambience. After a couple of beers make a beeline for the excellent grill restaurant upstairs.
reviewed