Turkmenistan · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Turkmenistan
These are the places worth your time in Turkmenistan, from Ashgabat's marble monuments and bazaars to the burning Darvaza crater, the Silk Road ruins of Merv and Konye-Urgench and the Caspian shore at Avaza. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Ashgabat
Arts and Culture
- Turkmen Carpet Museum (Gorogly Street)
Giant hand woven carpets and a clear guide to the tribal gul patterns at the heart of Turkmen identity. - National Museum of History of Turkmenistan (Archabil Avenue)
The country's story from Bronze Age Gonur Depe to Parthian Nisa, including famous ivory rhytons. - Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan (Central Ashgabat)
Turkmen paintings, Soviet era canvases and silver jewellery in a grand modern building. - Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex (Southern Ashgabat)
A moving memorial to the 1948 earthquake and the country's war dead. - Old Nisa (Bagyr, outskirts of Ashgabat)
UNESCO listed ruins of an early Parthian capital looking over the plain to the mountains. - Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque (Kipchak)
One of the largest mosques in Central Asia, next to the mausoleum of the first president. - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque (Central Ashgabat)
A graceful Ottoman style mosque modelled on Istanbul's great domes. - Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque Ruins (Anau)
The broken portal of a fifteenth century mosque once decorated with dragon tiles. - Gokdepe Fortress Memorial (Gokdepe)
The site of the 1881 battle against the Russian army and a mosque honouring the fallen. - Akhal-Teke Horse Complex (Ashgabat outskirts)
See the famous golden Akhal-Teke horses, a national symbol, at the stables and racecourse. - Magtymguly Turkmen National Music and Drama Theatre (Central Ashgabat)
Turkmen language drama and music in a grand marble theatre. - Turkmen State Circus (Central Ashgabat)
A long running circus famous for its horse riding acts, loved by families.
Things to Do
- Independence Monument (Archabil Avenue)
The city's signature monument, set in a vast park of statues and fountains. - Arch of Neutrality (South Ashgabat)
The gold topped tripod tower celebrating Turkmen neutrality, with views over the city. - Monument to the Constitution (Archabil Avenue)
A soaring white tower and plaza that glows after dark, a classic night photo stop. - Wedding Palace (Bagt Koshgi, Southern Ashgabat)
A star shaped marble tower crowned by a globe, often busy with wedding parties. - Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre (Southern Ashgabat)
Home to one of the world's largest enclosed Ferris wheels, with city views at night. - Turkmenistan Tower (Kopetdag foothills)
The tall television tower above the city, decorated with a giant eight pointed star. - Oguzhan and Sons Fountain Complex (Near the Presidential Palace)
A record breaking spread of fountains and statues, lovely on a warm evening. - Ashgabat Earthquake Memorial (Central Ashgabat)
The bronze bull carrying the globe recalls the 1948 disaster that flattened the city. - Lenin Monument (Azadi Street area)
One of the few Soviet monuments left in the capital, set on a tiled Turkmen style base.
Shopping and Markets
- Altyn Asyr Bazaar (Tolkuchka) (Northern outskirts of Ashgabat)
Central Asia's great desert bazaar, busiest on Sunday mornings, for carpets, hats, silk and life. - Gulistan Bazaar (Russian Bazaar) (Central Ashgabat)
The handy central market for bread, dried fruit, nuts, spices and snacks. - Teke Bazaar (Central Ashgabat)
A local food market with fresh produce, dairy and stalls of homemade sweets. - Berkarar Shopping Centre (Ashgabat)
A modern mall with cafés and a food court, a cool escape on a hot afternoon. - Altyn Asyr Shopping Centre (Central Ashgabat)
A large state shopping centre where you can see everyday local shopping.
Nature and Outdoors
- Kow Ata Underground Lake (Near Baharly)
A warm sulphur lake deep inside a cave, a favourite half day swim. - Nokhur Village (Kopetdag mountains)
A mountain village with horned grave markers and a distinct local culture. - Ashgabat Botanical Garden (Central Ashgabat)
Shady paths and old trees in one of the oldest botanical gardens in Central Asia. - Health Path (Saglyk Yoly) (Kopetdag foothills)
A long concrete walking trail into the hills, popular with locals at weekends. - Kopetdag Mountains Viewpoints (South of Ashgabat)
Dry rocky ridges along the Iranian border with views back over the city.
Stays
- Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent (Central Ashgabat)
A large international hotel with dependable service, central and easy for first timers. - Yyldyz Hotel (Southern Ashgabat)
A curved glass tower in the hills with sweeping views of the city lights. - Grand Turkmen Hotel (Central Ashgabat)
A long established central hotel often used by tour groups. - Ak Altyn Hotel (Central Ashgabat)
A classic Ashgabat hotel near the main avenues with a calm garden feel. - Archabil Hotel (Archabil Avenue)
A large modern hotel on the main boulevard of monuments.
Restaurants
- Tolkuchka Bazaar Food Stalls (Altyn Asyr Bazaar)
Steaming plov, shashlik and fresh chorek bread in the middle of the market crowds. - Gulistan Bazaar Somsa Stalls (Gulistan Bazaar)
Flaky meat somsa straight from the tandyr oven, a cheap and tasty snack.
Cafés
- Bazaar Tea Houses (Altyn Asyr Bazaar)
Pots of green tea and fresh bread with traders on a Sunday morning.
Bars and Nightlife
- Alem Night Views (Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre)
The capital's liveliest evening scene, with the Ferris wheel lit in colour.
Events
- Turkmen Horse Day (Ashgabat Hippodrome)
Akhal-Teke races and parades on the last Sunday of April celebrate the national horse. - Navruz (Across Ashgabat)
The spring new year in March with family feasts, music and festive sumelek dishes. - Turkmen Carpet Day (Across Ashgabat)
On the last Sunday of May, weavers, exhibitions and carpet displays fill the capital. - Independence Day (Across Ashgabat)
Late September parades, concerts and fireworks mark the country's independence. - Melon Day (Across Turkmenistan)
The second Sunday of August celebrates the country's famous sweet melons with tastings and fairs. - Neutrality Day (Across Ashgabat)
December celebrations of Turkmen neutrality with concerts and decorated streets.
Places to Visit in Darvaza
Nature and Outdoors
- Darvaza Gas Crater (Karakum Desert)
The burning crater known as the Door to Hell, unforgettable after dark. - Darvaza Water Crater (Karakum Desert)
A collapsed crater filled with still blue green water, a quiet stop on the way. - Darvaza Mud Crater (Karakum Desert)
A crater of bubbling grey mud and gas that shows the ground's restless side. - Karakum Desert Dunes (Around Darvaza)
Rolling dunes and saxaul trees for sunset walks near camp. - Karakum Night Sky (Around Darvaza)
Far from city lights, the desert sky is one of the darkest you will ever see.
Stays
- Darvaza Yurt Camp (Near the gas crater)
Sleeping in a felt yurt with the crater's glow on the horizon. - Darvaza Tent Camping (Near the gas crater)
Campfire dinner and a sky full of stars beside the flames.
Things to Do
- Erbent Village (Karakum Desert)
A herders' settlement where you can see desert life, camels and traditional wells. - Sunrise at the Crater (Darvaza Gas Crater)
Dawn turns the crater from glowing orange to pale smoke as the desert wakes.
Restaurants
- Desert Camp Shashlik Dinner (Darvaza camps)
Skewers grilled over the fire and eaten under the stars.
Cafés
- Roadside Chaikhanas (Ashgabat to Dashoguz road)
Simple tea houses where drivers stop for tea, bread and soup.
Places to Visit in Mary
Arts and Culture
- Ancient Merv (Bayramaly)
A UNESCO listed oasis of walled cities spanning more than two thousand years. - Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (Ancient Merv)
The great double domed Seljuk tomb that survived the Mongol invasion. - Great Kyz Kala (Ancient Merv)
Corrugated mud brick walls that glow at sunset, Merv's most photographed scene. - Erk Kala (Ancient Merv)
The oldest fortress at Merv, with views over the whole oasis from its walls. - Gyaur Kala (Ancient Merv)
The Sasanian city with traces of a Buddhist stupa and an early mosque. - Mausoleum of Muhammad ibn Zayd (Ancient Merv)
A Seljuk shrine still visited by pilgrims, peaceful and quietly beautiful. - Ashab Mausoleums (Ancient Merv)
Twin tombs of companions of the Prophet, an active pilgrimage site. - Gonur Depe (Karakum Desert north of Mary)
The Bronze Age capital of Margiana, deep in the desert and rarely visited. - Mary Regional Museum (Mary city centre)
Finds from Merv and Gonur Depe that bring the ruins to life. - Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque (Mary)
A large modern mosque with gleaming domes, a landmark of the city.
Shopping and Markets
- Mary Bazaar (Mary city centre)
Fresh bread, dried fruit, melons in season and everyday local life.
Stays
- Hotel Margush (Mary)
A long established central hotel often used by tour groups visiting Merv.
Restaurants
- Mary Bazaar Plov Stalls (Mary Bazaar)
Hearty lamb plov cooked in huge kazan pots at lunchtime. - Melon Stalls of Mary (Roadsides around Mary)
Some of Central Asia's sweetest melons, sold from roadside piles in late summer.
Cafés
- Mary Tea Houses (Mary city centre)
Simple chaikhanas for green tea and fresh bread after the ruins.
Nature and Outdoors
- Murgab River (Mary)
The river that created the Merv oasis, lined with trees and evening strollers.
Things to Do
- Sunset at Kyz Kala (Ancient Merv)
Golden light on the fluted walls makes this the perfect end to a day at Merv. - Bayramaly Town (Bayramaly)
The small town beside the ruins, with a tsarist era feel and a quiet bazaar.
Places to Visit in Konye-Urgench
Arts and Culture
- Kutlug Timur Minaret (Konye-Urgench)
The tallest medieval minaret in Central Asia, wrapped in bands of patterned brick. - Torebeg Hanym Mausoleum (Konye-Urgench)
A breathtaking mosaic dome of stars and flowers in blue, turquoise and gold. - Tekesh Mausoleum (Konye-Urgench)
The tomb of a great Khwarezmshah with a distinctive turquoise conical dome. - Il Arslan Mausoleum (Konye-Urgench)
A small tomb with a ribbed tiled dome, among the oldest buildings on the site. - Kyrk Molla (Konye-Urgench)
A sacred hill and cemetery where pilgrims pray for health and children. - Nedjm ed din Kubra Mausoleum (Konye-Urgench town)
The shrine of a Sufi master, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the country. - Sultan Ali Mausoleum (Konye-Urgench town)
A tiled mausoleum facing the Kubra shrine across a quiet courtyard. - Dash Mosque Museum (Konye-Urgench town)
A small museum in an old madrasa with finds from the medieval city.
Shopping and Markets
- Dashoguz Bazaar (Dashoguz)
A lively northern bazaar with Khwarezm style bread and dried fruit.
Things to Do
- Pilgrim Rolling Hill (Kyrk Molla)
Watch pilgrims roll down the slope for good fortune, a joyful local custom. - Dashoguz to Khiva Border Crossing (Dashoguz Province)
The short hop into Uzbekistan that links this trip with the old town of Khiva.
Restaurants
- Dashoguz Bazaar Food Stalls (Dashoguz)
Plov, manty dumplings and tea where the market traders eat.
Cafés
- Konye-Urgench Pilgrim Teahouses (Konye-Urgench town)
Simple tea and bread spots near the shrines that serve pilgrim families.
Places to Visit in Avaza
Nature and Outdoors
- Avaza Beach (Avaza National Tourist Zone)
A long sandy Caspian beach that fills with Turkmen families in summer. - Yangykala Canyon (Balkan Province)
Layered cliffs in red, pink and white that glow at sunset, the country's most beautiful landscape.
Things to Do
- Avaza Artificial River (Avaza National Tourist Zone)
A landscaped canal with promenades and evening boat rides. - Avaza Promenade at Sunset (Avaza National Tourist Zone)
A seafront walk as the sun drops into the Caspian. - Balkanabat (Balkan Province)
The oil town at the foot of the Balkan mountains, a base for canyon trips.
Stays
- Avaza Resort Hotels (Avaza National Tourist Zone)
A row of large seafront hotels and sanatoriums, busiest in summer.
Shopping and Markets
- Turkmenbashi Bazaar (Turkmenbashi)
Fresh fish, bread and produce in the port city's busy market.
Arts and Culture
- Dehistan (Misrian) (Balkan Province)
The ruined caravan city with two minaret stumps standing alone in the desert. - Gozli Ata (Balkan Province)
A peaceful Sufi pilgrimage site in a hollow among the canyons.
Restaurants
- Caspian Fish at Turkmenbashi (Turkmenbashi Bazaar)
Smoked and fried Caspian fish, a coastal taste you will not find in the desert. - Avaza Beach Cafés (Avaza National Tourist Zone)
Seasonal cafés selling shashlik, ice cream and cold drinks by the sand.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Turkmen State Opera and Ballet Theatre (Central Ashgabat, Ashgabat)
Classical ballet and opera evenings in a striking modern hall. - Turkmen Fairy Tale Park (Ashgabat, Ashgabat)
A family amusement park with rides and themed attractions. - Hotel Ashgabat (Central Ashgabat, Ashgabat)
An older central hotel within reach of the bazaar and museums. - Nusay Hotel (Ashgabat, Ashgabat)
A simpler hotel option that agencies often book for budget minded trips. - Turkmenistan Tower Revolving Restaurant (Turkmenistan Tower, Ashgabat)
Dinner as the city lights turn slowly beneath you. - Sofitel Oguzkent Restaurants (Sofitel Ashgabat Oguzkent, Ashgabat)
Reliable international and Turkmen dishes in a comfortable hotel setting. - Berkarar Food Court (Berkarar Shopping Centre, Ashgabat)
Turkish, Turkmen and fast food counters popular with local families. - Berkarar Mall Cafés (Berkarar Shopping Centre, Ashgabat)
Coffee, cakes and air conditioning between museum visits. - Yyldyz Hotel Lounge (Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat)
A quiet evening drink with views across the lit up city. - Bokurdak Village (Karakum Desert, Darvaza)
A small desert village often passed on the road north, with wells and camels. - Mary Hotel (Mary city centre, Mary)
A modern hotel option close to the centre. - Togolok Depe (Karakum Desert north of Mary, Mary)
Another Bronze Age Margiana site, often combined with Gonur Depe. - Mamun II Minaret Ruins (Konye-Urgench, Konye-Urgench)
The base of a fallen minaret, a reminder of the city's earthquakes and wars. - Hotel Dashoguz (Dashoguz, Konye-Urgench)
The usual overnight base for visitors to Konye-Urgench. - Uzboy Hotel (Dashoguz, Konye-Urgench)
A simple city hotel convenient for early starts to the border. - Shasenem Fortress (Dashoguz Province, Konye-Urgench)
A remote ruined desert fortress linked to the Turkmen love story of Shasenem and Garyp. - Sarygamysh Lake (Dashoguz Province, Konye-Urgench)
A huge remote desert lake on the Uzbek border, rarely seen by visitors. - Hotel Hazar (Avaza National Tourist Zone, Avaza)
One of the original big resort hotels right on the beach. - Turkmenbashi City Hotels (Turkmenbashi, Avaza)
Simpler stays in the port city a short drive from the beach. - Turkmenbashi Museum of Local History (Turkmenbashi, Avaza)
A small regional museum on the old Krasnovodsk and Caspian life. - Avaza Yacht Club (Avaza National Tourist Zone, Avaza)
Watch the boats and enjoy the breeze along the marina. - Krasnovodsk Bay (Turkmenbashi, Avaza)
A wide bay of shallow water and birdlife around the port city.