Van Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Van

Van is the capital and largest city of Van Province in eastern Turkey, situated along the eastern shore of Lake Van at the western foot of Mount Erek. Located at an elevation of approximately 1,750 meters above sea level, the contemporary city was established a few kilometers east of its ancient citadel site. The area experiences a humid continental climate with Mediterranean influences, characterized by cold, snowy winters and very warm, dry summers.

Human settlement around the area dates back to at least 5000 BCE, with early cultural evidence recorded at the nearby Tilkitepe Mound along the lake. In the ninth century BCE, the area served as Tushpa, the capital of the kingdom of Urartu, centered around the bluff now known as Van Castle. Over the centuries, control of the region transitioned through several major powers, including the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Kingdom of Armenia, the Sasanians, and the Byzantines. Following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the region came under Seljuk control, eventually passing through Mongol, Safavid, and Ottoman administration.

Following extensive destruction during World War I and the subsequent Turkish War of Independence, the city was rebuilt in its present location. Today, Van is predominantly inhabited by a Kurdish majority alongside a Turkish minority. Kurmanji functions as the primary vernacular spoken among the Kurdish population, whereas Turkish is utilized for public education and official administration.

The region offers a variety of historical, cultural, and natural attractions for travelers. Prominent sites include the ruins of Van Castle, where ancient Urartian cuneiform and a well-preserved trilingual rock inscription from Xerxes the Great can be seen. Other notable destinations within the province include Akdamar Island, Hoşap Castle, the Van Museum, Muradiye Fall, Lake Turna, and Lake Akgöl.