Edirne, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Edirne

Edirne lies in the far northwest of Turkey, entirely on the European side, in Thrace. It borders Greece and Bulgaria, and the city of Edirne sits at the junction of the Meriç (Maritsa), Tunca and Arda rivers.

It was Adrianopolis, refounded by the Roman emperor Hadrian, and served as the Ottoman Empire's capital before the conquest of Constantinople. The Selimiye Mosque, completed in 1575 by the architect Sinan for Sultan Selim II, is a UNESCO site and dominates the cityscape.

In the centre are also the Old Mosque (Eski Cami), the Mosque of the Three Balconies (Üç Şerefeli Cami) and the Great Synagogue. On the banks of the Tunca, the Bayezid II complex houses the Health Museum in a former Ottoman hospital, and Ottoman-era stone bridges cross the rivers toward Karaağaç.

Every summer, Edirne hosts the Kırkpınar oil-wrestling tournament (yağlı güreş), a centuries-old tradition recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage. On the table, fried liver in the Edirne style (tava ciğer) and badem ezmesi, an almond sweet.

Destinations

1 destination in Edirne

1 city

Edirne

Cities

1 cities in Edirne in the guide

Edirne Capital

Edirne

Edirne is in European Thrace, near Greece and Bulgaria, and was the Ottoman capital before Istanbul. Sinan's Selimiye is the main landmark, accompanied by the Eski Cami and Üç Şerefeli. The Bayezid II Health Museum and the Great Synagogue allow you to expand the visit beyond the mosques.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) usually have pleasant temperatures for walking. Summer is hot; winter is cold, with fog and, in some years, snow. The Kırkpınar tournament usually takes place between late June and early July: check the dates before you go.

Getting there

From Istanbul, long-distance buses reach Edirne's bus terminal in two and a half to three hours, depending on traffic; by car the route is via the Thrace highway. Edirne has no airport: the nearest commonly used ones are in Istanbul. Confirm before booking. By land border, the province connects to Bulgaria (Kapıkule) and Greece (Pazarkule).

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Edirne

Can you see Edirne on a day trip from Istanbul?

Yes, if you depart early: the Selimiye, the Old Mosque, the Üç Şerefeli and the city centre can fit into a day. With one night in town, there's time for the Health Museum, the bridges and Karaağaç.

What is the Kırkpınar tournament?

It is the traditional oil-wrestling contest (yağlı güreş), with competitors' bodies greased with oil, held every summer in Sarayiçi, Edirne, for centuries. UNESCO recognizes it as intangible heritage.

Who designed the Selimiye Mosque?

The architect Mimar Sinan, who regarded it as his masterpiece. It was built for Sultan Selim II and completed in 1575; the mosque and its surrounding complex are a UNESCO site.

Is Edirne in Europe or Asia?

In Europe. The entire province lies in Thrace, the European side of Turkey, bordering Greece and Bulgaria.

What to eat in Edirne?

The typical dish is tava ciğer, thinly sliced liver fried and served with dried chilli. For sweets, badem ezmesi, made from almond.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.