Top Things to do in Turkmenistan
The 10 Best Things to do in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan
Discover the best top things to do in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan including Darvaza Gas Crater, Ancient Merv - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Gypjak Mosque, Turkmen Carpet Museum, Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts, Ashgabat Cable Car, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turkmenistan Independence Monument, Ashgabat National Museum of History.
Restaurants in Turkmenistan
1. Darvaza Gas Crater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By mimiwoodbridge - Santa Fe, United States
In my amazing month’s journey through Central Asia, high on the list of spectacular events wan the night in a yurt camp below the extraordinary Darvaza Gas Crater. In the middle of nowhere over miles of sandy tracks (calling them roads would be a vast exaggeration) we arrived at one of the world’s wonders. When darkness fell the sky was alite with the glow of burning natural gas. A short walk from the camp led to the crater. Again in the morning, before dawn I returned to see the sunrise. It was truly, a once in a lifetime experience
2. Ancient Merv - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The old oasis-city has a fortress, mosques and mausoleum of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
We visited Merv as a day trip from Ashgabat by plane. We spent 3 hours on the site but realised that we had missed some important attractions, so it is critical that you do some research before visiting to ensure that all the areas that you wish to visit in the ancient cities are agreed with your tour company. The ancient site is comprised of four sections; Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, Sultan Kala and Abdullah Khan Kala. Depending on the historical period or architecture that you are interested in, you can plan your time in each area accordingly. There are also a few other mausoleums and ruins which are located just outside the ancient city walls. On arriving at the entrance to the Merv complex, it will be necessary to pay a camera fee which was 11 manat. A wide paved road runs from the entrance through Sultan Kala and continues just north of Erk Kala. There are many narrow roads which branch off this main road and lead to the various attractions, some of which are dirt roads. It is essential to have a car at this site, as it was once the largest city in the world in the 12th century and is probably too hot to walk to the various attractions. We saw locals using donkey carts, bicycles and other means of transport. We started by turning right on entry towards the structures of Kyz Bibi, Greater Kyz Kala and Lesser Kyz Kala. Kyz Bibi is to the left a short drive on a dirt road. You can park at Greater Kyz Kala, however there is no access , but photos can be taken. Lesser Kyz Kala is a short walk south, and you will be able to walk the ruins here. We continued to the southern section of Sultan Kala, which was expanded in 1418 by the Timurids, where we visited the Ashkab Complex and sardoba. I would advise that you then head in a northerly direction and take a right on the dirt path that leads into Gyaur Kala. There is not much to see in the ancient city which was built by the Selucids and also occupied by the Sasanids until 651. If you are interested in buddhism, a stupa is covered with earth to preserve it, and represents the westernmost area of buddhist expansion. The ruins of an ancient Mosque is also on a dirt path north of this area. Photos can be taken of the Erk Kala fortress area from here. If you head back out on the paved road, it will lead to Erk Kala which is the site of Alexandria, the fortress city which Alexander the Great captured from the Persian Empire in 330 BC. If you head back to the paved path you will pass the mosque and mausoleum of Yusuf Hamadani on the way into Sultan Kala, which was the main city between 651-1221. The main attractions here are the Sultans fort (palace) and the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. The last attraction in the complex is to the right, heading back towards the entrance, the Zeyd mausoleum. Abdullah Khan Kala, constructed in 1418, is a short drive south outside the Merv complex heading back into town, and do not miss the golden statue of Sultan Sanjar, which is on your left on the main road through town.
3. Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 576RobertC576 - Redlands, United States
Our guide took us here after spending a good deal of time in the eerily empty White City. Here we found some normalcy. People coming for prayers. The mosque is beautiful. The striped columns are reminiscent of the mosque Cordoba, Spain and it does look much like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. This was my favorite spot in Ashgabat.
4. Gypjak Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By mylestan - Romblon Island, Philippines
This is a big mosque with nice ornate tiles and inscriptions of allah everywhere. It's a nice place to drop by and take pictures
5. Turkmen Carpet Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By 741marshaa - Vienna, United States
Turkmenistan is known for its amazing carpets and a tour of the museum shows you why. The carpets are beautiful. I suggest taking the tour as the guide explains the different styles and how the carpets are made. According to Guinness book of world records, the largest carpet in the world is hanging in the museum. The guide was really knowledgeable and after the tour showed me how to wear the married ladies hat and scarf. She did do because I expressed an interest and it was fun. Photos are allowed only in certain areas of the museum.
6. Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts
7. Ashgabat Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By mjt2257 - Umina Beach, Australia
This is a great way to get a perspective on the “white marble city”, as well as being a fun excursion for two or three hours - perhaps more if you stop for a meal at the top. On a semi-cloudy day in late May, the cable car and summit area were close to empty, which didn’t detract from the spectacular views of rugged landscape and gleaming Ashgabat. That peculiar thing of passing over Iranian territory to then land in a Turkmen exclave, still within Iran, lends a certain frisson to the experience. Taxis are the only practical transport option for most tourists, with charges by the hour from pick-up, through waiting and then to final destination. The range is around 60-70 Manat per hour. The cable cars were comfortable enough but might get very hot in full summer sunlight, so I’d take a cold drink for what is quite a long ride. But don’t miss it if you’ve time.
8. Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site
9. Turkmenistan Independence Monument
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By 51RuthR - Cape Town Central, South Africa
This is a very opulent and outstanding monument which is out of white marble and with black and gold statues around it. It is really worth seeing and quite magnificent as is the park around it. A wedding party arrived at the same time as we did to have their wedding photographs taken there.
10. Ashgabat National Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By kiwinagaz - Canberra, Australia
We thoroughly recommend a trip to this museum for anyone spending some time in Ashgabat. The building itself features an impressive interior, but also has a well presented run down of Turkmenistan’s history (from Stone Age through to the current day). These are broken down into easily digested sections. It also has a small collection of carpets on display. The English guides are good, and we went through the collection over an hour or two at a comfortable pace. Be warned, photography is prohibited unless you pay a comparatively steep camera ticket.
