Image by Izzet Keribar / Getty Images

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.

While Van boasts a brilliant location near the eponymous lake, forget about water sports and beaches. Instead, focus on the striking monuments, including Van Kalesi (Van Castle or the Rock of Van), spend a few days journeying around the lake, and explore the nearby historic sites of Çavuştepe and Hoşap.

Hotels, restaurants, ATMs, the post office and bus company offices all lie on or around Cumhuriyet Caddesi.

Explore Van

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Van.

  • Castle

    Van Castle & Old 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 of Eski Van – the old city destroyed in WWI – reveal themselves on the southern side of the rock. Catch a 'Kale' dolmuş (₺2.50) from İskele Caddesi to the castle's northwestern corner for the official entrance and ticket office. From October to April the castle closes at 5pm.

  • Museum

    Van Museum

    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-eminent collection of Urartian exhibits including exquisite gold jewellery and an array of bronze belts, helmets, horse armour and terracotta figures. Unfortunately, despite being finished and fully curated, in 2019 it remained closed to visitors, though the local rumour while we were in town was that it would be open by 2020.

  • Ruins

    Çavuştepe

    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 remnants are sparse but the foundations of the yukarı kale (upper fortress) and, up the hill, the asağı kale (lower fortress) are still in place, as is a black basalt block gate (with some blocks holding cuneiform inscriptions) at the entrance to the lower fortress.

  • Castle

    Hoşap Castle

    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 mud-brick walls that once encircled the surrounding area. The castle's entrance is marked by restored lion reliefs. Unfortunately the castle doesn't have a permanent on-site guardian; you have to phone the current guardian (who changes regularly) to gain entry, which means it's best visited as part of a tour.

  • Mosque

    Hz Ömer Cami

    This large, pale-yellow mosque is one of central Van's major landmarks.

  • Mosque

    Ulu Cami

    Van's Grand Mosque is a major landmark in the central city.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Van.

  • Activities