A Complete Guide to Backpacking Van, Turkey

5 Best Things to Do in Van, Turkey

1. Visit Akdamar Island ❤️ Must Visit

Akdamar Island is the highlight of visiting Van in Eastern Turkey. The island is the second-largest island, out of 4, in Lake Van. On this island, you will find a 10th-century-old Armenian Holy Cross Cathedral, the remnant of the once-great Armenian Kingdom that ruled the area from 1116 to 1895.

The island is surrounded by the vividly blue soda-salt water of Lake Van, with a breathtaking backdrop of the sacred mountain of Ararat looming behind. It is probably one of the most scenic churches I've seen in Eastern Turkey and one of the main reasons I traveled all the way east to visit Van.

To get to the island from Van city center, you are going to have to catch a minivan (dolmus) marked "Gevas/Akdamar" from the minivan station north of Van Beşyol Meydanı roundabout.

The van leaves when it's full and will head towards Gevas, which is the closest town to the Akdamar Pier. The journey from Van city center should take about 45 minutes and cost around 10 TRY one way.

Once you are at Akdamar Port, you have the option to take a shared ferry to the island, which will leave only when it's full, or you can take a private boat there. For the shared ferry, it will cost you 10 TRY per person, but you will need 16 people or more, which can be difficult, especially during the low season. You can opt for a private boat for around 150 TRY if you don't want to wait.

I was there in the summer, which is considered to be the peak season, and I waited around 30 minutes before Iranian tourists arrived to share the ferry with me. Once you arrive, you will then have to pay the entrance fee for Akdamar Island, which is 10 TRY per person.

You can spend around 30 minutes to one hour walking around the island and check out all the viewpoints, where you can then get the ferry back to the port and catch a minivan back to Van City Center. The last van you will find is around 5-6 PM, so be sure to get back to the pier earlier. The ferry operates from 8:30 AM to 7 PM every day.

Where to Stay in Van, Turkey?

Budget

Toprak Hotel

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

RÖNESANS LİFE HOTEL

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High-End

Elite World Van Hotel

Double Room | $$$

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2. Stroll Around the Castle of Van

The Castle of Van is another important landmark in Van that you should definitely visit. Located at the top of a 100-meter bluff near the shore of Lake Van, this formidably massive stone fortress is a remnant of the ancient kingdom of Urartu and was constructed between the 9th and 7th centuries BC.

It is the largest fortress of its kind, and it offers a great vista of Lake Van and the city center at the top. You can spend about an hour walking around the area in the evening and watch the sunset over Lake Van.

To get from Van City Center to Castle of Van, you can simply flag down a minivan marked "Kalesi" or "Kale", which means castle, straight from the road. It should take about 15 minutes and cost you no more than 3 TRY to get to the castle.

The entrance fee to Castle Van is 5 TRY per person, and the opening hours are between 8 AM and 5 PM every day. Near the castle, you will also find a museum that you can visit to learn more about the castle and this region as a whole.

3. Learn About the History of Van at Van Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

Van Museum, a new museum located just northeast of the Castle of Van, is a great place to visit if you wish to learn more about the history of the castle, the city, and this region as a whole.

Due to its location right along the ancient Silk Road, Van has always found itself in the middle of major conflicts from competing Kingdoms ever since it was established by Urartu and Armenian Kingdoms. Since then, it has been conquered by Byzantines, Seljuks, and the Ottoman Empire before becoming part of modern-day Turkey.

As you can see, there is a ton of history to be learned here, and if you want to know more about Van, there is no better place to be than at the Van Museum. The museum opens from 8 AM to 7 PM every day except Monday, and the entrance fee is 10 TRY per person.

4. Play with Cats at Van Cat House

Now, I am not the type of person who likes to visit cat and dog cafes, so when I heard about Van Cat House, I wasn't that interested until I learned about what Van Cats are and why they are so special.

I was curious to learn more, so I went to visit Van Cat House, which, as it turned out, is more of a small research facility run by Van University than a house. They are trying to breed the rare Van Cat species with two-colored eyes here.

Within the Van Cat House, you can spend some time and play around with these magnificent cats with 2-colored eyes, and you can learn a little bit more about the features of Van cats from the staff there.

Apparently, these cats are also fond of swimming! I guess my plan to escape to a remote island when cats eventually decide to rebel against us and take over the world is no longer viable. Goddammit!

You can get to the Van Cat House by flagging down a minivan labeled "Campus" from the road or at the minivan station, and you will be dropped off in front of Van University where you can then walk for about 20 minutes to get to the Van Cat House. The place opens from 8:30 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 2 TRY per person.

5. Enjoy the Famous Van Breakfast 🥘 Best Place to Eat

Last but not least, it would be a crime to visit Van without trying the famous Van breakfast, which is often served generously with more than 20 dishes filled with delicious and organic local ingredients, ranging from herbal cheese to herbs that are unique to the region.

One of the most recommended places to try out Van Breakfast is at Matbah-ı Van, Van Kahvaltısı Restaurant. They serve a tasty Van-style breakfast that is freshly made every day. The staff is great, and you can get the whole Van breakfast experience for 2 for only 100 TRY, which is pretty decent. The restaurant opens from 8 AM to 7 PM every day.

When to Visit Van, Turkey?

While June to August is considered the peak season, I do not think it is the best time to visit Van. While it is a popular time to visit, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels, which is not ideal. Plus, it is probably one of the hottest months to visit, making it less enjoyable to explore the outdoors of Van.

What I would recommend instead is to visit during the shoulder seasons, either in May or September, where the tourist crowds are starting to wind down and the prices of hotels are starting to fall back to their normal level.

Also, keep in mind that from May to June is Ramadan, and even though you won't have a problem finding food places like Cappadocia, you won't be able to find anything to eat during the day in places like Van unless you prepare some food the day before. So, I would avoid visiting Van during Ramadan.

How to Get to Van, Turkey?

To get to Van, which is located in Eastern Turkey, you will first have to get yourself to either Istanbul, a major tourist hub, or Ankara, the capital city.

Thankfully, Istanbul and Ankara are some of the largest hubs in the region, and you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to one of the two main airports in the city: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) in Istanbul, or Ankara Esenboga Airport in Ankara.

From the US, there are several direct flights you can take to Turkey from major cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc. All these flights are operated by Turkish Airlines, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a flight from the US to Turkey.

From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs such as London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers like British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa, which also offer direct flights to Istanbul or Ankara.

From Asia, you can fly directly with Turkish Airlines from several hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. You can also go with other Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad if you are willing to transit to get a cheaper deal.

To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting From Istanbul to Van, Turkey

By Plane: The fastest and most recommended way to get from Istanbul to Van is to fly into Van Ferit Melen Airport. There are approximately 6 flights connecting the two cities, operated by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, from 9:15 AM to 5:45 PM every day.

The plane journey from Istanbul to Van should take around 2 hours and cost 50-60 USD, which is pretty reasonable. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a taxi in front of the terminal to Van city center for about 20 TRY, or you can walk out and flag a minivan with the sign "Van" in front of it straight from the main road for about 1 TRY.

You can book the flight from Istanbul to Van here.

By Bus: You can also take a bus from Istanbul to Van, but it's going to take you more than 22 hours to get there, so it's not ideal. Additionally, the bus costs 40 USD, which is only 10 USD cheaper than taking a plane. Therefore, I would recommend taking the plane instead.

If you insist on taking the bus, there are 10 buses running between the two cities from 10:30 AM to 4:45 PM every day. The bus leaves from Istanbul Central Bus Station and it will take you to Van Bus Station in about a day.

You can book the bus with the link here: Book a bus from Istanbul to Van, Turkey.

Getting From Ankara to Van, Turkey

By Plane: The same goes for Ankara. You can easily catch a flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to get to Van in about 1.5 hours. There are around 4 direct flights per day starting from 07:55 AM to 4:10 PM, and it will cost you about 50 USD as well.

You can book the flight from Ankara to Van here.

By Bus: There are approximately 8 buses departing from Ankara Asti Bus Station to Van Bus Station per day, from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The entire journey should take around 18 hours, and it will cost 34 USD per person.

You can book the bus with the link here: Book a Bus from Ankara to Van, Turkey.

How to Get Around Van, Turkey?

By Walk: For the tourist attractions in Van city center, such as the Castle of Van or Van Museum, you can pretty much stick to walking. However, for places like Akdamar island, you are going to have to go by public transportation.

By Minivan (Dolmus): To get to places like Akdamar Island, you are going to have to take a minivan. It will be hard if you don't speak the language, but with the combination of information provided here, the help of your accommodation, and Google Maps, you should have no trouble getting around Van with public transportation.

By Car: For the most convenient way to get around Van, Turkey, you can also rent a car straight from Van Airport for around 40 USD per day, which will allow you to explore all the attractions in Van at your own leisure. To rent a car in Van, click the link below.

Rent a car in Van, Turkey

How Many Days To Spend in Van, Turkey?

One full day (2 nights) should be enough to see all the tourist attractions I listed here. Below is a rough one-day itinerary for Van, Turkey.

Day 1: Travel to Akdamar Island in the morning and spend the afternoon and evening exploring the tourist attractions within the city, such as the Castle of Van, Van Museum, and Van Cat House, etc.

How Much Money Do I Need For Van, Turkey?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Van, as follows:

Accommodation: For 2 nights, it should cost around 42 USD (358 TRY) for accommodation.

Food: Food in Van, Turkey should cost around 20 TRY per meal, so you can expect to pay around 60 TRY for 1 day here.

Transportation: For a minivan ride from and to Akdamar Island, it should cost about 20 TRY. A roundtrip ferry across the island is 10 TRY, and a roundtrip minivan to Van Cat House is another 5 TRY. In total, you can expect to pay around 35 TRY for transportation.

Activities: The entrance fee for Akdamar Island is 10 TRY, 5 TRY for Van Castle, 2 TRY for Van Cat House, and 10 TRY for Van museum. In total, you will be spending 27 TRY for activities in Van, Turkey.

Total budget for one day in Van, Turkey: 480 TRY (56.31 USD)

Is it Safe in Van, Turkey?

Like most places outside of tourist cities in Turkey, Van is very safe, and you won't be meeting any problematic characters while you are here. The locals are friendly, and most are genuinely helpful, unlike touts in disguise as helpful locals that you often meet in other touristy places.

That said, it's always a good idea to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times. Trust your gut, and if something doesn't look safe, do not pursue it. Other than that, you should find no trouble here.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Turkey?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Van, Turkey without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Van, Turkey:

There are 3 major carriers in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage.

I personally use Turkcell's Tourist Welcome Package, which costs around 149 TRY for 30 days. It comes with 20 GB of data, unlimited messaging, and 200 local minutes. This is more than enough for my trip to Turkey.

You can also go cheaper with an 8 GB 30-day plan for 60 TRY, and the price goes down from there depending on the GB you want for your data SIM card. Keep in mind that a foreign phone with a local SIM card has a grace period of 120 days. So, if you are planning to stay longer than 120 days, you are going to have to register your phone with the authority, which is unlikely to happen for tourists like us.

For more information about Turkey's local SIM card: Turkey's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Van, Turkey?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Van, Turkey:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Van, Turkey in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for buses and trains to take in Turkey. You can easily reserve a seat and buy the tickets straight from the website online for your convenience.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Turkey

Turkey is a country that stands in the middle of Europe and Asia. Empires rise and fall on this land, and in order to see Turkey as a whole, you will have to go further than just Istanbul.

Here are some articles and travel guides that you might need to further plan your trip to Turkey:

• First time visiting Turkey? Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey.
• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Turkey? One Month Itinerary for Turkey.
• Have a transit flight between IST and SAW airports in Istanbul? Here is a complete guide on How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen To Istanbul Airport And Vice Versa.
• Istanbul is the crown jewel historical city of Turkey and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are a lot of things to do, and you are going to need a complete travel guide to see them all. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey.
• A lot of Roman influence can be seen throughout Turkey. One of the best places to see this is at Ephesus ruins in Selcuk. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus.
• The southwestern coast of Turkey boasts some of the most stunning beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails in the country, and one of the best places you shouldn't miss is the Butterfly Valley. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey.
• Looking for a nice, quiet place by the beach to relax and do yoga for a few days in Turkey? There is no better place to be than Kabak. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kabak, Turkey.
• You can't deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to, and there are a ton of things you can do there. From riding a hot air balloon to hiking, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey.
• Mt. Nemrut and its massive stone statues of gods is one of the most unique places I have ever seen, but it is not the easiest place to visit. To save you the trouble, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mt. Nemrut and all the information you need to make the journey as I did.
• Visiting Sumela Monastery is one of the highlights of traveling to Eastern Turkey, but due to its remote location, getting there can be tricky. Here is How to Travel to Sumela Monastery, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• Ani, the ancient Armenian City in Kars, is the highlight of Eastern Turkey, but it can be quite tricky to visit unless you know how to do it properly. Here is How to Travel to Ani, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• Not convinced by my words? Maybe these photos of Turkey will help! 45 Photos that will inspire you to travel to Turkey.
• Since you are already all the way east, why not cross the border from Turkey to Georgia and make your way to Tbilisi, a vibrant capital city of Georgia? Check out my Georgia Travel Guide to plan your next trip to Georgia.
• For all articles about Turkey, visit the Turkey Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, please visit my Destinations page.