Van
At the far eastern edge of the country, Van stretches along the shores of a vast high-altitude salt lake, surrounded by volcanic mountains. This is an authentic and little-visited side of Türkiye, where Armenian churches set on islands stand alongside millennia-old fortresses and the warm hospitality of a predominantly Kurdish population. Visitors come for the landscapes, the history, and a breakfast renowned throughout the country.
Van at a glance
Immense lake, hilltop castles and overflowing breakfast tables: Van brings together nature, history and gastronomy far from the beaten track. Allow two to three days, as the region is best discovered slowly, through mountain roads and local encounters. My highlights:
take a boat to Akdamar Island and its 10th-century Armenian church,
climb up to the Van Fortress at sunset for panoramic views over the lake,
head towards the fortresses of Çavuştepe and Hoşap Castle in the south-east,
sit down for a true Van kahvaltısı, the most famous breakfast in Türkiye.
Nicolas
Turkey Expert 🇹🇷
WHAT TO SEE IN VAN
What SEASON to go to Van?
Van experiences a continental climate shaped by its altitude (around 1,700 metres) and its location in eastern Türkiye: summers are hot and dry, while winters are long, cold and snowy. Spring and autumn (May–June and September–October) are the best seasons to discover the city, the lake and the landscapes of eastern Anatolia, thanks to pleasant temperatures ideal for exploring the Van Fortress, Akdamar Island and the surrounding sites without suffering from either the cold or the heat.
