STORIES
Signs of civilization by the lakeWelcome.
The journey around Lake Van offers different stops along with castles and memorial structures. Van Castle, Akdamar and Muradiye are in different directions around the same province. You can check current transportation for island visit and plan the surrounding trips accordingly.
Don't think of the city as just a transit point. Choose from the historical and natural stops below; make room for a table in your itinerary to meet the local cuisine.
Van · Follow the trail.
A museum door, an old street, a break in nature, you choose the stops of your route.
Van Kalesi
Van Castle is built on a rock mass that runs east-west on the Van Plain under the name of Taşupa for a long time, the Urartu State.Read the official guide
Akdamar Anıt Müzesi / Kilisesi
Akdamar Church of the Holy Cross, located on Akdamar Island, the second largest island of Lake Van, is a monument in 2007 after its restoration.Read the official guide
Muradiye Şelalesi
Muradiye Waterfall lies on the Bend-i Mahi stream, fed by Mount Tendürek, in Muradiye district. It is about 80 kilometres from Van city centre.Read the official guide
Abbas Ağa Camii
Since his book is not available, it is not known by whom and on what date it was built, but it is dated to the XVIII-XIXth centuries, based on its architectural status.Read the official guide
Abdurrahman Baba Kümbeti
Sheikh Abdurrahman Baba (Gazi) Kümbeti is an important visit to the northeast of Van Castle in the Silk Road district of Van. Sheikh Abdurrahman Baba's...Read the official guide
Adır Kilisesi
The monastery was built in 1305, then St. Georges' Church in 1621, and in 1766, the jamaton and chapel were added.Read the official guide
English summaries are adapted from the linked Turkish Culture Portal sources. Check each official source for current visiting, restoration, accessibility and ticket information.
Van in pictures.
Another look, another discovery.
Van · Your car rental plan
When combining the city and nearby sights, include pickup/return locations, passengers, luggage and vehicle category in your request. Confirm the full price, handover arrangements and availability with the supplier.
Inspired by Turkish cuisine / Artificial intelligence illustrationVan food traditions
a place at the table.
The local kitchen is one of the most enjoyable ways to meet the city. In the Cultural Portal, you can explore the tastes recorded for this city below, and you can find the story and preparation of the food from their official sources.
Food names and links: T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism Van cuisine. Menu availability varies by business and season.
Van · Where to eat
Check the menu, location, and service time from the enterprise's own channel before you leave.
Explore the neighbourhoods.
Search for restaurants around your accommodation on a map. Contact the business directly for the current menu and address.
Search restaurants on map An external map search opens. No points, comments, or restaurant photos are copied.Take your time.
Make time to explore.
This is an idea of a visit; it is not a distance or shortest path ranking. Create your plan by checking the districts and opening conditions of the stops.
- 01For your first discovery
An introduction to the city
VAN KALESİ · AKDAMAR ANIT MÜZESİ / KİLİSESİ
Find first stop on map - 02
- 03
Before you go.
When visiting historical sites
Visiting layouts of museums, places of worship and worship structures may vary. Watch directions in protected areas; check photo and accessibility conditions from the official source.
How to plan vehicle delivery?
Van Specify delivery district, neighborhood and dates when creating a demand for it. Contact the delivery company at the airport, hotel or different point; clarify the deposit and insurance conditions through the offer.
Without taking a lunch break
Local food is not expected to be available in every restaurant. Ask to operate your menu, allergen and diet requirements; the resource date shown here is not a guarantee of up-to-date service.
Eastern Anatolia / Other stories.
Eastern AnatoliaAğrı
Palace and nature at the foot of the mountain
Eastern AnatoliaBingöl
Nature break between mountains
Eastern AnatoliaBitlis
Stonework and lakescapes
Content checked: 2026-10-28. The links are for informational purposes; they do not include a paid ranking or visiting guarantee.