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…
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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.
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
- VVan 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…
- VVan 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…
- ÇÇavuştepe
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…
- HHoşap 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…
- HHz Ömer Cami
This large, pale-yellow mosque is one of central Van's major landmarks.
- UUlu Cami
Van's Grand Mosque is a major landmark in the central city.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Van.
See
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…
See
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…
See
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…
See
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…
Guidebooks
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