Van, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Van

Van lies on the eastern shore of Lake Van, the largest in Turkey, with salty, alkaline water, at over 1,600 meters altitude. It was Tushpa, the capital of the Kingdom of Urartu, and Van Fortress, on a long rock beside the lake, still has cuneiform inscriptions and royal tombs carved into the stone.

The island of Akdamar, a few minutes by boat from the Gevaş pier, houses the Church of the Holy Cross, built between 915 and 921, with façades covered in reliefs of biblical scenes. In spring, the island’s almond trees usually bloom, with the mountains still snow-capped in the background.

To the southeast, Hoşap Castle, from 1643, rises on a crag beside a stream, and Çavuştepe has Urartian temples. To the north, Muradiye waterfall falls among trees, and the road along the lake leads to Ahlat and Tatvan, in Bitlis.

Van breakfast (Van kahvaltısı) brings together herb cheese, cream, honey, eggs and breads on dozens of small plates, and the city has a street full of breakfast houses. The Van cat, white and often with one eye of each color, has a breeding house at the university, and the inci kefali is the only fish that lives in the lake.

When to go

May, June and September usually have mild days for the city and Akdamar. July and August are hot by day and cool at night, the lake bathing season. In spring, the flowering almond trees and snow on the mountains appear together. Winter is cold, and boats to Akdamar depend on the weather.

Getting there

Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) is a few kilometers from the center and has flights to Istanbul, Ankara and other cities. For Akdamar, drive to the pier near Gevaş, southwest of the city, and take the boat. Hoşap is about 60 km to the southeast.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Van

How to get to Akdamar Island?

Boats depart from the pier near Gevaş, southwest of Van, and the crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes. They leave when they fill up, so avoid arriving at the end of the day; on windy days, check whether they are running.

What is Van breakfast?

A lavish spread with herb cheese (otlu peynir), buffalo cream, honey, butter, olives, eggs with meat and assorted breads, served on many small plates. It’s a whole-morning affair and is usually shared among several people.

Can you swim in Lake Van?

Yes, in summer, at beaches such as Edremit and Gevaş. The water is salty and alkaline; rinse your body afterwards.

How many days to book for Van?

Two days for the fortress, Akdamar and Hoşap; three to include Muradiye or the circuit of the lake to Ahlat and Tatvan.

Which destinations pair well with Van?

With Bitlis, on the other side of the lake, and with Doğubayazıt and Mount Ararat to the north, on a trip through eastern Turkey.

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.