Castle Of Van
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
About
The Castle of Van, also known as Van Kalesi or the Rock of Van, is an impressive ancient fortress dating back to the 9th century BCE. Situated on a steep bluff, it offers stunning panoramic views of Van and Van Lake. Visitors can explore this historic site and enjoy its rich history. The castle is accessible via an easy hike, but travelers should come prepared with appropriate attire for the outdoor adventure.Why you should go
- Breathtaking panoramic views of Van Lake and surrounding mountains
- Rich historical site dating back to ancient times (Urartian civilization)
- Impressive stonework and architecture showcasing craftsmanship of the past
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During my visit to Van, I had the opportunity to explore Van Kale(Van Castle), and it was an unforgettable experience. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the stunning Van Lake, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it an absolute must-see when visiting the region.
The castle itself is an impressive historical site, dating back to ancient times, with origins going back to Urartian civilization. As you walk through the site, you’ll notice the ruins, walls, and inscriptions that tell the rich history of the area. The stonework and architecture are remarkable, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time.
The climb to the top of the castle is a bit steep, but it’s worth every step for the incredible view at the top. From here, you can see Van Lake stretching out in the distance, with the surrounding mountains creating a dramatic backdrop. It’s a perfect spot for photos and to take in the beauty of the landscape.
While there aren’t many modern amenities at the site, this only adds to the historical charm. The lack of commercialization allows you to truly experience the castle and its surroundings in a more authentic way.
The only downside is that it can get quite hot in the summer months, so it’s best to visit early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds. Nonetheless, Van Kale is a captivating and peaceful place that allows you to step back in time and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Turkey.
Overall, if you’re in Van, Van Kale is definitely worth a visit for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a peaceful and scenic spot to enjoy the beauty of this region.
The worst tourist experience I’ve ever had in Turkey.
I came here alone, without a guide, and it was a complete disaster. There are no signs, no directions, no maps, no indication of where the official ticket entrance is. Nothing. Just endless fences, construction areas, and absolutely zero people around to ask.
I tried entering from the south side, near Atatürk Park. All I found was a broken fence, some random holes in the wire, locked gates, and overgrown paths. There was no ticket booth, no security, not even a soul in sight.
Some museum guard nearby pointed me toward what looked like an abandoned area and said “go this way, no dogs.” Well, surprise — there was a huge stray dog in the middle of the path. As a woman traveling alone, that’s not just unpleasant — that’s dangerous.
I kept walking further, hoping to find a legitimate entrance, but it only got worse. Red construction fences, a creepy truck, broken lights, and a deserted rocky slope with no visible access. I was literally praying I wouldn’t get attacked by dogs or fall into some random hole in the ground.
There are zero directions online, and Google Maps doesn’t show the actual ticket office, if it even exists. I walked for nearly an hour and never found anything official.
👉 Let me be 100% clear:
If you’re coming without a guide or a tour group — don’t even bother. You will not find the entrance.
And if you’re a solo female traveler — this place is NOT safe.
This is supposed to be a UNESCO-worthy historical site, and they’re making money from tourists — and yet there’s absolutely no infrastructure, no safety, and no care given to actual visitors. It’s a disgrace.
Sort it out. Seriously.
Put up signs. Mark the ticket office. Add directions to Google Maps. Make the area safe and welcoming.
Right now it’s just a giant mess. And that’s unacceptable.
Never again.
Slightly underwhelmed. Imposing structure, and apparently the largest monument dating back to the Urartian time (9th-6th century BCE). But the castle has clearly been rebuilt numerous times since then, and without signposting it’s difficult to identify the bits that are truly that old. I loved the two blocks with cuneiform writing, but most visitors will probably miss them because they are not on the main path. (You have to turn right towards the woods behind the little stone bridge.) The view over the lake must be stunning on a clear day, but unfortunately it was quite foggy when I visited.
Walking to the castle from the city centre is quite doable but not particularly interesting. I ended up getting into the castle ground not via the official entrance but by following an unofficial guide, who brought me in via the eastern (city) side with a bit of climbing. 😄 Not what I had intended, and I probably ended up paying him more than the official entrance fee would have been.
I liked the little café with a view on the castle.
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Yalı, 65040 Merkez/İpekyolu/Van, Türkiye
People typically spend 10 min here
Know before you go
- Visit early in the day during summer months to avoid heat and crowds
- Wear appropriate clothing for climbing such as long pants, sport shoes, bug repellent for insects in fields
- Be cautious about unofficial guides offering alternative entrances; use official entrance marked with clear pricing
- For better access, find western entrance past Van Museum following signs 'Van Kalesi Gider'
Reviews
The Castle of Van, or Van Kale, offers visitors a captivating experience with its breathtaking panoramic views of Van Lake and the surrounding area. Dating back to ancient times with origins from the Urartian civilization, the castle showcases remarkable stonework and architecture that tell a rich history. While the climb to the top is steep, it rewards visitors with incredible vistas of Van Lake and mountains. The lack of modern amenities adds to its historical charm, allowing for an authentic experience. Visitors recommend visiting early in the day to avoid crowds and heat during summer months.Review score
4.5out of 5
Review score
4.4out of 5
5 stars
2343
4 stars
608
3 stars
267
2 stars
61
1 star
104
During my visit to Van, I had the opportunity to explore Van Kale(Van Castle), and it was an unforgettable experience. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the stunning Van Lake, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, making it an absolute must-see when visiting the region.
The castle itself is an impressive historical site, dating back to ancient times, with origins going back to Urartian civilization. As you walk through the site, you’ll notice the ruins, walls, and inscriptions that tell the rich history of the area. The stonework and architecture are remarkable, showcasing the craftsmanship of the time.
The climb to the top of the castle is a bit steep, but it’s worth every step for the incredible view at the top. From here, you can see Van Lake stretching out in the distance, with the surrounding mountains creating a dramatic backdrop. It’s a perfect spot for photos and to take in the beauty of the landscape.
While there aren’t many modern amenities at the site, this only adds to the historical charm. The lack of commercialization allows you to truly experience the castle and its surroundings in a more authentic way.
The only downside is that it can get quite hot in the summer months, so it’s best to visit early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds. Nonetheless, Van Kale is a captivating and peaceful place that allows you to step back in time and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Turkey.
Overall, if you’re in Van, Van Kale is definitely worth a visit for history lovers, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a peaceful and scenic spot to enjoy the beauty of this region.
The worst tourist experience I’ve ever had in Turkey.
I came here alone, without a guide, and it was a complete disaster. There are no signs, no directions, no maps, no indication of where the official ticket entrance is. Nothing. Just endless fences, construction areas, and absolutely zero people around to ask.
I tried entering from the south side, near Atatürk Park. All I found was a broken fence, some random holes in the wire, locked gates, and overgrown paths. There was no ticket booth, no security, not even a soul in sight.
Some museum guard nearby pointed me toward what looked like an abandoned area and said “go this way, no dogs.” Well, surprise — there was a huge stray dog in the middle of the path. As a woman traveling alone, that’s not just unpleasant — that’s dangerous.
I kept walking further, hoping to find a legitimate entrance, but it only got worse. Red construction fences, a creepy truck, broken lights, and a deserted rocky slope with no visible access. I was literally praying I wouldn’t get attacked by dogs or fall into some random hole in the ground.
There are zero directions online, and Google Maps doesn’t show the actual ticket office, if it even exists. I walked for nearly an hour and never found anything official.
👉 Let me be 100% clear:
If you’re coming without a guide or a tour group — don’t even bother. You will not find the entrance.
And if you’re a solo female traveler — this place is NOT safe.
This is supposed to be a UNESCO-worthy historical site, and they’re making money from tourists — and yet there’s absolutely no infrastructure, no safety, and no care given to actual visitors. It’s a disgrace.
Sort it out. Seriously.
Put up signs. Mark the ticket office. Add directions to Google Maps. Make the area safe and welcoming.
Right now it’s just a giant mess. And that’s unacceptable.
Never again.
Slightly underwhelmed. Imposing structure, and apparently the largest monument dating back to the Urartian time (9th-6th century BCE). But the castle has clearly been rebuilt numerous times since then, and without signposting it’s difficult to identify the bits that are truly that old. I loved the two blocks with cuneiform writing, but most visitors will probably miss them because they are not on the main path. (You have to turn right towards the woods behind the little stone bridge.) The view over the lake must be stunning on a clear day, but unfortunately it was quite foggy when I visited.
Walking to the castle from the city centre is quite doable but not particularly interesting. I ended up getting into the castle ground not via the official entrance but by following an unofficial guide, who brought me in via the eastern (city) side with a bit of climbing. 😄 Not what I had intended, and I probably ended up paying him more than the official entrance fee would have been.
I liked the little café with a view on the castle.
the entrance is around 2km from minibus stop, too far. i would strongly advise the local cultural bureau to open a entrance/exit at the east end of castle near the museum
The castle is beautiful, but the user experience is really horrible. We had to walk along a wired fence for 30 minutes, following a few contradictory signs. Just as we were about to give up, two little boys showed us a place where we could climb through the fence to get in. On the way back, we discovered the real entrance, which is located on the far northwest side of the rock, away from the city. There's no public transportation access. At the castle itself, we only found information about the mosque and nothing about the castle and history of the area itself.
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Yalı, 65040 Merkez/İpekyolu/Van, Türkiye
People typically spend 10 min here