Lake Van in Turkey

Lake Van in Turkey is one of the most important tourist attractions in Van, and it is very popular with tourists. This lake, which has many historical and natural attractions, along with Van shopping centers, has made traveling to this city more attractive; spending a vacation around Lake Van is a good opportunity for a memorable trip.

Where is Lake Van in Turkey?

Located to the west of Van, with a coastline of about 430 kilometers (270 miles), it is a very short distance from it and 1640 meters above sea level. Anyone who sees Lake Van in Turkey on the map will understand that its area is large, so it is considered one of the 15 largest lakes in the world. Geographically, Lake Van is located in eastern Turkey, and sailing in it is possible.

Features of Lake Van in Turkey

Lake Van in the eastern Anatolia region, which is called "Van Gölü" in Turkish, is named after the capital of the Urartian kingdom. This lake, located in the city of Van, is shaped like a triangle, and its water is salty and unusable; therefore, the water of Lake Van is not suitable for drinking and irrigation, and the only living creature that lives in it is a type of fish from the carp family.

It is interesting to know that the deepest part of Lake Van in Turkey is more than 400 meters deep in its south. Its water sources include rainfall, melting snow from the mountains, and the flow of several rivers. Lake Van is the largest water source in Turkey and the second largest lake after the "Caspian Lake" in the Middle East. Its area is over 3713 square kilometers, and its widest part is more than 119 kilometers.

Note that Van's tourist attractions include natural, historical, urban, and numerous shopping centers, which allow tourists to have several options to visit according to their tastes; for this reason, if you also want to make the best use of your time and travel, it is recommended that you prepare a list of your desired places before buying a flight ticket to Van; this way, you will enjoy your trip more.

Structure of Lake Van

Lake Van is geographically surrounded by high mountains to the south, plateaus to the east, and a series of volcanic cones to the west. The lake was formed during the Pleistocene period, around 2,600,000 to 11,700 BC, by the lava flow of the "Nemrut" volcano at the lake's southwestern end. In fact, the lava flow blocked the path of this basin to the west and the "Murat River," ultimately forming Lake Van.

Structurally, the lake is divided into two parts, the main part of which is separated by a narrow and shallow passage in the north; the shores of this part are generally steep and full of rocks, and its southern shores also have numerous cracks and eroded textures. In Lake Van, there are several islands, the largest of which is called "Aktamar" and is located in the southern region; the other islands of this lake include: Gadir/ Carpanak in the east (Çarpanak), and Atrek in the south, as well as several other lakes.

Beaches of Van, Turkey

Due to the structure and features of Lake Van, many beaches around it are suitable for relaxing; accordingly, the most famous beaches of Van, which are ideal for camping, picnics, relaxing, and spending time, are:

·         Cakil Island Family Beach (Çakıl Adası Aile Plajı)

·         Tusba Municipality Beach (Tuşba Belediyesi Plajı)

·         Dilkaya Beach (Dilkaya Halk Plajı)

·         Kampus Beach (Kampüs Sahili)

·         Edremit Beach (Plaj Edremit)

Note that renting a car in Van allows you to go to different places at any time of the day or night and reduces your traffic costs. This will be especially useful for going to Van beaches and attractions outside the city or in different areas of Van.

Climate Features of Lake Van

Due to its mountainous location, this lake's climate is cold most of the year and cool and pleasant in summer. Therefore, if you come to its shores in the summer for a swim, the warm lake water will feel good; however, due to Lake Van's saltiness, a thin layer of ice forms only in the northern parts of the lake in winter and does not last long.

Accordingly, if you come to this place in spring or autumn, wear warm clothes such as jackets, sweatshirts and hats. At the same time, you can buy all kinds of clothes and items you want from shopping malls and markets in Van at reasonable prices, so you do not need to bring too much luggage. Also, if you are very interested in shopping at reasonable prices, you can consider tours to Van that are planned for specific times; accordingly, if you know the auction time in Van, Turkey, you can enjoy both your shopping and your travel experience.

Legends of Lake Van

As you know, the older a place is, the more interesting legends can be heard about that place; Lake Van is no exception to this, and the most common legends of Lake Van are as follows:

·         The Legend of the Mermaid of Lake Van: One of the most interesting legends told about Lake Van from the past is the existence of a seductive mermaid. According to this legend, a young man falls in love with a beautiful mermaid upon hearing her seductive song and loses his life in the hope of marrying her.

·         The Legend of the Sea Monster of Lake Van: In 1889, with the publication of news about the existence of an unknown creature in Lake Van, everyone's attention was drawn to this lake more than ever; according to what was published in the "Osman Magazine," a mysterious creature emerged from the water and swallowed a man whole. Although much research was conducted at that time, no credible evidence was obtained regarding the existence of this terrifying monster. Interestingly, besides drawing more attention to Lake Van, the only effect of this story is the making of an American animation and an Australian series based on this old legend.

Tourist Attractions Around Lake Van

Another thing you should do before starting your trip and even booking a hotel in Van is to make a list of your favorite attractions in this city. This will not only help you plan better but also have a good experience of your trip; therefore, the tourist attractions of Lake Van and the surrounding area include:

1.       Van Castle: The historical Van Castle, on top of a mountain near the eastern shore of Lake Van, dates back to the Urartu Kingdom, around the 7th to 9th centuries BC. Some of the remaining walls of Van Castle are between 3 and 4 meters high, and there is an Achaemenid inscription on top of them.

2.       Xerxes Inscription in Van: When you visit the historical castle of Van, be sure to visit the "Xerxes Inscription in Van," which is the only Achaemenid inscription outside the borders of modern Iran. This inscription is carved on a rock 20 meters from the castle's surface, and its content indicates the order of "Darius the Great" to build the castle of Van.

3.       Cathedral of the Holy Cross: The Church of Van, or "Cathedral of the Holy Cross," is one of the important historical-religious buildings in Van on the island of "Akhtamar." This church, whose architecture is in the "Armenian Manuel" style, was built by order of "Gagik I," the king of "Vaspurakan," between 915 and 921 AD.

4.       Altinsac Church: Another church in Van, "Altinsac Church (Altinsaç Kİlİsesİ)," is located on the west side of the lake on a hill overlooking it. This church, which has fortunately been well preserved to this day, is also considered one of the historical symbols of the city of Van.

5.       Adir Island: Due to the size of Lake Van, there are several islands in it, one of which is "Adir Island (Adır Adası)." An important feature of this island is the existence of the Armenian Church of "St. George" dating back to 1305 AD, which was used until the 17th and 18th centuries, but after the Armenian genocide by the Ottoman government, it became uninhabited.

6.       Carpanak and Kus Islands: Among the other islands of Lake Van are "Carpanak and Kus Islands (Çarpanak and Kuş)," which were previously inhabited by Armenians. Today, Kus Island, also known as "Bird Island," is the habitat of many species of birds.

7.       Ahlat City: As you know, the city of Van has long been the focus of many governments, and many prosperous cities have formed around it; among them is the 2,900-year-old "Ahlat City" in the northern part of Lake Van, which is famous for its medieval "Gevas Cemetery (Gevaş)" with multi-dimensional shapes and unique designs.

8.       Ahlat Museum: The "Ahlat Museum" is a collection of artifacts obtained from ancient discoveries in this city, which includes artifacts such as statues, ancient vessels, and ceramics from the Seljuk period. This museum was established in 1970, and some of its objects are 4,000 years old.

9.       Ancient Castle in the Deep Waters of Lake Van: This ancient castle is more than 3,000 years old and is also known as the "Fairy Castle of Van." The underwater castle of Van belongs to the reign of "Urartu" from the kings of "Ararat," and its area is more than one kilometer.

10.   Van Pier: Due to Van's relatively long coastline with the lake, the "Van Pier" was built about 3000 years ago during the Urartian rule. Thus, an important trade route was established between the eastern and western shores of Lake Van and other regions, which is still in use today.

11.   Edremit Van Glass Bridge: Another attraction around Lake Van is the "Edremit Van Glass Bridge." This semicircle bridge is built on the waters of Lake Van, and you can watch the waves from the glass floor.

Remember, if, for any reason, you do not want to rent a car but want to reach your desired places easily, you can "rent a car with a driver (transfer)" in Van; in this way, the driver will take you to your desired destinations at a predetermined time and place.

Other Attractions of Van, Turkey

Another important feature of this city for tourists is the presence of places such as the "Van Water Park," which is suitable for families with children; in this water park, separate days are planned for women and men to maintain their privacy (days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for women, and on days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for men).

Another interesting attraction that should be mentioned is the world-famous "Van Cat." What makes these cats unique is the different colors of each of their eyes; these cats are mostly white and have one blue eye and the other yellow, making them very special. Note that by booking a hotel or renting a furnished house in Van's city center, you can have easier access to all the sights of Van.

Popular Entertainment Around Lake Van

In addition to swimming in the summer, you can enjoy boating on its waters, with small ships or boats traveling between Lake Van's shores. Other fun activities in this lake include fishing, nature tourism, camping, picnicking, photography, and mountain climbing. At the same time, there are some restaurants and cafes near Lake Van where you can taste this region's delicious and famous dishes.

Given the interest of some tourists in tasting new flavors and the reasonable price of food in Van, Turkey, be sure to go to this city's restaurants. In this regard, restaurants such as: Sutcu Kenan Restaurant (Sütçü Kenan), Cervansaray Restaurant (Kervansaray Restaurant), Erkoc Cag Kebab Restaurant (Erkoç Cağ Kebap), and Sutcu Fevzi Restaurant (Sütçü Fevzi), are known as the best restaurants in Van city.

Booking a Room in Van Hotels

Due to the popularity of this city and the number of tourists who travel here, Van hotels are one of the best places to stay. These hotels, which include luxury to cheap accommodations, are suitable for every taste and budget. For this reason, you can choose a hotel in the city center for easy access to most tourist attractions or shopping malls, or on the west side and close to Lake Van to have a beautiful view of it.

However, if you want to stay in the cheapest hotels in Van, you can consider these hotels to manage your budget or buy your favorite items more easily. Therefore, there are many different hotels in Van for travelers to stay in, and you can book a room in any of them (in addition to furnished houses for rent). It is worth noting that when you decide to travel to Van on a tour, the choice of hotel can vary depending on the type of tour you choose.

How to Get to Lake Van

Lake Van's access and address are very easy due to its short distance from the city and location on the western side of Van; therefore, it is enough to take public transportation or a rental car to the western side of the city to reach this lake. It is worth noting that booking a hotel in Van, especially in areas close to the shores of the lake, can make access to this tourist attraction easier.

Van Airport

In general, the city of Van has a relatively small airport called "Van Ferit Melen Airport (Ferit Melen Havaalanı)," which only serves domestic flights. Accordingly, airlines such as: Pegasus, Sun Express, and Turkish Airlines operate flights to destinations such as: Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Ankara, and Adana.