Location: Ashgabat
Top Things to do in Ashgabat
Top 10 Things to do in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Nestled between the Kopet Dag range and the Kara Kum desert, Ashgabat is a flat, sometimes dusty city twinkling with unique architecture. As a marker of Turkmenistan's official neutrality, the city's most recognizable monument, the Neutrality Arch, rotates during the daylight hours, facing the sun throughout the entire day. The city is home to many mosques and markets, as well as important museums, including one memorializing the 1948 earthquake that decimated the population.
Restaurants in Ashgabat
1. Gypjak Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By TinLuth - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Magnificent mosque, one of the biggest in Central Asia. It's done is the biggest in Central Asia. Mosque with Golden dome locates on a beautiful landscape with Kopetdag Mountains on the background. Recommend visit small mosque like building next to real mosque-the burial place of the first president of Turkmenistan Turkmenbashy
2. Turkmen Carpet Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Jacqui L - Tel Aviv, Israel
We had a small adventure getting here (take the #1 bus), but once inside we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were the only visitors, which is amazing. There are many carpets to see, and there are English explanations on most items. We didn't have a guide, but in retrospect I recommend taking one. The most important moment was when I realised that what I had always thought of as a Bukharan carpet in my hall is actually Turkmen style from the Tekke clan.
3. Parthian Settlement of Nisa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By JGDynamo - Halifax Region, Canada
Headed to the Parthian Settlement of Nisa recently with our driver and his friend “Ali” who is an expert on the ruins of his grand country. Ali was great to have as there is little to no information at the site for tourists but he was a Fountain of information about the ancient city, how it operated and how it ended about 2000 years ago. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site and the site digs have uncovered some beautiful aspects of life 2 millennia ago and apparently some great treasures as well. Not a bad place to visit, it’s not far from the city and having a guide was essential.
4. Ashgabat National Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By JGDynamo - Halifax Region, Canada
If nothing else you have to admit that the Ashgabat National Museum of History is housed in a beautiful building! It houses three museums in one, History, Ethnographic and one about the President(s). Once you pay the $10 per person (per museum!) to get in the history and ethnographic parts are interesting, the digs of Nisa offered up some amazing treasures that are on display and the presidential one is a fluff piece but to be expected by any country I’m sure. Hilarity ensues. Our man Ali was a great person to have along as well since fewer than half of the displays have an English description and we could understand some but not as much as we would have liked. So overall not too bad, expensive whereas a lot of National Museums have free entry or on donation but to pay $30 each to see the three museums seemed a bit much.
5. Unabhangigkeitsdenkmal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By JGDynamo - Halifax Region, Canada
As a great man once told me, nothing rhymes with Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal and I have come to discover that he was correct in his statement. The Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal in Ashgabat is a tribute to independence for the country with nice marble grounds, huge tower and a gold statue of the former president Niyazov (Nyýazow) who guided the country into its independence. Have a look around the Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal and the Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal grounds to see that the Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal is a celebration of the Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal, also you can go in the Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal where they have artwork of Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal and other assorted Unabhängigkeitsdenkmal items.
6. Monument Arch of Neutrality
Overall Ratings
4 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By MartinBaxter58 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Another spectacular monument in photogenic Ashgabat, this time to celebrate Turkmenistan's declaration of neutrality. Like many other monuments seems rather bizarre and rather pointless.
The "ribs" on the lower part of the structure include two enclosed, and air conditioned, elevators in which you can travel, for a fee, up to the base of the main part of the tower. The structure itself is topped with a statue of Niyazov, 1st pres of modern Turkmenistan, who naturally was one the one who had the monument built.
The monument is surrounded by a pleasant park which was totally deserted until some very friendly local youngsters arrived (just as we were leaving).
Well worth a visit, but don't try and read too much into it.
7. Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Atamurad_Guchgeldi - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Located in the central Ashgabat, this mosque was built in 1996 by Turkish constructors as a gift to the city. It might remind you any mosque in Turkey. What is different is that it has heated floor, which very rear thing. You may come every day if you are interested in Islamic architechture, want experience the prayer in the mosque by local people or just meditate in the silent atmosphere. Dont try to approach it at Friday from noon until around 3 pm, when the mosque performs Friday djuma prayer: it is full in and around.
8. Tolkuchka-Basar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Ирина Ц
My relatives work there and they are Russian-Koreans who sell salads. All travelers visit Tolkuchka to buy souvenirs. Bargaining is suggested as they tend to double or even triple prices when they see tourists. Not suggested to visit in summer during heat days as it is located in the desert.
9. Ashgabat Train Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By SE s
The train station is redone on a grand scale to show off the gas wealth like other buildings in Ashgabad.When you see this building this is similar to the other building on Ashgabad.
10. Ashgabat hippodrome
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Zach F - Raleigh, North Carolina
We were paraded in on a Sunday morning among a bunch of local school children as the race began. You need a good camera and zoom to be able to capture these races. As this was one of my first experiences in Turkmenistan, and knowing the national pride in their horses, I think it's definitely worth a look!
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