What to do and see in Van, Van Province: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Van, Turkey including Lake Van, Holy Cross Church, Akdamar Island, Van Castle (Van Kalesi), House of Van Cats, Muradiye Selalesi, Van AVM.
Restaurants in Van
1. Lake Van
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
The largest body of water in Turkey, this triangular shaped lake contains salt water that is unsuitable for drinking or irrigation. The only life form that can survive in the water is a species of freshwater fish called darekh that has adapted to live in a saline environment.
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Lake Van, history and geography.. Lake Van,home to its interesting geological formation,history,fish species, natural beauty and dozens of civilizations that settled around the lake... It is surrounded by volcanic mountains around the earthquake zone within the turkey's largest, 5th largest lake in Europe. The area of the lake is 3764 km². It exceeds 125 km in length and 65 km in width. Its height above sea level is 1646 m. The most important feature of the lake is that its water is salty and soda. It is stated that there is 42.3% kitchen salt, 34% soda, a small amount of sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate and magnesium carbonate in lake waters. With this feature, it is the world's largest soda lake. The fact that the water of the lake is soda limits the biological diversity in the lake and its shores. No mollusk crustaceans or plant-like animals can survive in the lake and its shores. The biggest reason why the lake is salty and soda is that the lava gushing out from the subhan and nemrut volcanic mountains about 100,000 years ago, blocking the front of the lake and becoming a closed lake. Before becoming a lake, the van lake is thought to be a part of the Karasu or Tigris river. It is known that the van lake basin and the plain of Muş province were a single basin before volcano lavas. The age of the salt in the lake was measured to be about 60,000 years. Van lake is fed by Karasu, Bendimahi, Deliçay, Zilan, Sapur and Engil rivers, apart from underground waters. The depth of the lake varies between 170 meters and 450 meters. the heights of the volcanic and other mountains surrounding the Lake van Basin range from 1600 meters to 4000 meters. Pir Rashit, Isabey, Erk, Sudis, Baset, Ispiriz, Hibarit , Mengene,Artos, Vavirar, Kevushshahap, Sarı, Hosabeshir, Pili ,Kars ,Nemrut , Suphan , Aladaglar and Tendurek mountains surrounded the Lake Van Basin. The most important ports of van lake are Erciş Bay, Van, Gevaş and Tatvan bays. There are 4 islands in the van lake. Akdamar Island, Çarpanak Island, Bird(Lim) Island and Adır Island.. One of the most important features that make van lake unique is the pearl mullet, which has only lived in the van lake and has been a source of income for the local people since ancient times. The pearl mullet (Chalcalburnus tarichi), a species from the Cyprinidae family, lives. Pearl mullet is a migratory species. Although he lives in the lake, he migrates to the rivers that drain the lake to reproduce and returns to the lake after breeding. Festivals are held every year in the Van Lake basin during the migration and breeding times of the fish. Van, Erciş, Tatvan, Ahlat, Adilcevaz and Gevaş settlements are located in the van lake basin. The first inhabitants of the lake van basin were the hurries. Later, after the urarti, the meds, persians, the Armenian principalities, the great Alexander, the Romans, the parts, the sasanis, the Umayyads, the abbasians, the Seljuks, the Mongols and the Ottoman. Ship transportation has been used in the Van lake since ancient times. Some ruins of the ancient port can still be seen on the west side of the van castle. Besides the port of van, Tatvan, Erciş, Gevaş and Ahlat ports are the most important trade and transportation ports of the lake. Since ancient times, the height of the mountains around the van lake basin, geographical conditions, security reasons have led people to ship shipping. In the records of the 10th century, we know that ships were popular during the period of some Armenian principalities that ruled here.again, it is known that Ahlat shipbuilders went as far as the Black Sea for shipbuilding.it is mentioned in some sources that during the Ottoman Empire, 3 ships were built by Mimar sinan to pass through the army in the 16th century. the first records of the region are recorded in expeditions and plundering events in the region during the Assyrian period(BC 13 century). the most important historical artifacts of the Lake van Basin are artifacts made during the time of the Urartians,Armenian principalities,Seljuks and ottomans. the Church of the Holy Cross(Akdamar),Van Castle and Ahlat cemetery located on akdamar island are the main historical monuments. nemrut crater lake at an altitude of about 2400 meters, located in the basin of Lake van, is one of the natural beauties of the basin. around the lake and in the surrounding settlements ,many historical monuments dating from the Armenian principalities period,dating from the Urartu, Seljuk and Ottoman periods are very visited today.
2. Holy Cross Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Located on the Akdamar Island in Lake Van, this Cathedral is significant because it is the only surviving medieval Armenian church in which most of the wall paintings are still intact.
Reviewed By 1973LYS - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This small church has extensive history and to have a local guide who knows the history and the meaning of frescoes and reliefs is a must, at least for me. Every detail has its story, every part of the church has its significance. With guide, it will take more than 2 hour to explore the church itself.
3. Akdamar Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
This island located in the salty Lake Van is home to the Church of the Holy Cross and some Armenian monastery ruins.
Reviewed By songulk1819 - London, United Kingdom
We have visited it in winter and it’s stunning. I never saw such a beautiful view. It takes a few min with a small boat to reach the island. Definitely a must visit. We have been there with two small children and it’s total safe!
4. Van Castle (Van Kalesi)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By IftekharA-Sep2016
Granted there isn't anything inside the castle, but this castle covers a HUGEEEE area. Entrance is TL 7 per person and you have to walk quite a bit. You get to see the beautiful Lake Van from the castle and the snow capped mountains surround it. It is truely a very nice view. There is a small house on display how people of Van used to live. The museum is also worth visiting. Emperor Xerxes inscriptions are there on a stone.
5. House of Van Cats
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By songulk1819 - London, United Kingdom
We are a real cat lover family. We have four tabbies ourself. We loved the visit at van kedisi evi. The cats are so playful and close to human. I just need to say: I was told everything is quite new there so I hope in a few year time or earlier they will do some improvements in the facility. I don’t think cats claw like tiles. The smell of cat litter was also a little strong.
6. Muradiye Selalesi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By divingfree - Aradippou, Cyprus
Not the Niagara Falls but I enjoyed Muradiye Salalesi more! Firstly they are pretty spectacular water falls for this part of the world. We live in Cyprus. Secondly it has a lovely atmosphere with local people just enjoying being outside or sipping a glass of tea. High light was an old lady from Istanbul with mountain goat skills climbing up the wet rocks in a pair of flip flops with her beautifully dressed daughter looking on. The nearby town of Muradiye is also worth a visit and a stay. The people are so welcoming. Even a hoca and an old man not to mention younger boys wanted to take photos with us. As a taxindriver put it using Google translate " We like people".
