Van City Guide

Van City Guide

Taking place at the Eastern Anatolia Region, Van is bounded by Iran Country at east and by Van Lake at west. The city is a tourist place through its cultural and natural beauties, its transportation facilities and its four season climate conditions. The city is famous with its Van Cat.

Tourist Attractions

With a history tracing back to 5000 B.C., Van was the capital of Urartu in the hisory. There has been a significant settlement area throughout the history as a consequence of rising on the historical Silk Road. In addition to its cultural and historical aspects, the scenic and natural beauties available in the city transform it into a natural heaven.

Archeological tourism is fairly developed at Van. A great deal of castles are available within the borders of the city. Van Castle at the centrum is one of the alluring ones left from Urartus. Cavustepe Castle at Çavuştepe is a glorious structure from 1960s. Agarti, Ayanis, Kef, Below and Above Zifistan, Hiset, Kalecik, Muradiye, Yoncatepe, Mukus Castles and more are existed in the city. You should experience these historical artifacts.

Tilkitepe, Karagunduz and Dilkaya Tumuluses are the main constructions from the historical heritage of the city. Karagunduz Mound at Karagunduz Village turns up as an island at the coast of Ercek Lake.

Van Museum, Kizlaragasi Cave, Altintepe, Menusa Water Carrier and Meher Kapi, Pagan Kaya Nisi and Anali Kiz Open-air Sanctuaries are just some of the other historical structures that you should not miss. Also, many historical churches, mosques, madrasahes, Turkish bathes and public houses are existed in the city. Ulu Mosque, Kayacelebi Mosque, Husrev Pasa Mosque, Horhor Mosque, Akdamar Church, Seven Church, Yanal Church, Husrev Pasha Madrasah, Hasan Bey Madrasah, Husrev Bey Madrasah, Van Cifte Hamam (Turkish Bath), Hosap Ickale Hamam and Hosap Bey Public House are just some examples. You will live the history itself when traveling these places.

The city is breemed over with innumerable rivers. lakes and streams. Van Lake giving its name to the city is the biggest lake in Turkey and the 5th biggest one in Europe. Bendihami Stream, Hosap Stream, Catak Stream, Karasu Stream, Memedik Sream, Ercek Lake, Akgol Lake, Sultan Lake, Kazli Lake and Muradiye Cascade are among the natural benefactions at Van.

Culture & Entertainment

Silver working and kilim (rug) making are the fundamental features of the city culture.

Mountain and nature troop is a potential entertainment alternative for you. Van Suphan Mountain, the centrum, the cost of Van Lake, Carpanol Island, Akdamar Island, Aladag, Tendurek Mountain, Sonrada Mountain, Manda Mountain and more are the favorable places for fabulous troops.

The city forests being accesible easily via the developed roads are appropriate for joyous campings.

Angling is possible at Van Lake and at the streams existed in Catak district.

There are magnificent bird paradises in Van that you will want to see. Van Lake is one of the main location harboring different kind of birds. Carpanak Island, Ahlat Rushy, Donemec Delta, Karasu Delta are some of the bird places at Van Lake. Another bird heaven is Ercek Lake.

The city is feasible for hunting tourism throughout the four seasons. Quite different kinds of animals are existed in the city for hunting. When visiting Van you should not forget to go for hunting.

Food & Drink

You should absolutely eat the delicious Van fish being available in Van Lake. Especially, the city is famous for its breakfast culture. There are a great deal of breakfast lounges placed at the city center. In additon to the local tastes such as murtuga, cacik, ilitme, eksili, senseger, you will find a wealthy breakfast table at these lounges.

Soups: Ayran asi, bulgur asi, kurutlu eriste asi, watery eriste soups...

Breakfasts: Corek ici, kavut, murtuga, ilitme, cheese with plant...

Dishes: Quince, cilbir, eskili, helise, kurutlu kofte, mihla, keledos, mihla, sile...

Shopping

Souvenirs, ornaments and silver constitute the basic tourist shopping culture of the city. Kilims (rugs) peculiar to Van are world wide famous. You can find all kinds of carpets, kilims, ornaments in the galleries placed at the city center.