last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Turkmenistan
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Location Map of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Turkmenistan has 3 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Kunya-Urgench (2005)
These are the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient capital city built along the caravan routes.
These are the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient capital city built along the caravan routes.
Nisa (2007)
These are the ruins of one of the most important Parthian cities. The archaeological site, near the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
These are the ruins of one of the most important Parthian cities. The archaeological site, near the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Ashgabat
The Turkmen capital boasts strikingly modern and somewhat "astonishing" architecture, with many marble-clad buildings from the era of dictator Niyazov.
The Turkmen capital boasts strikingly modern and somewhat "astonishing" architecture, with many marble-clad buildings from the era of dictator Niyazov.
Avaza
Close to the port of Turkmenbashi, Avaza is a new popular seaside resort that aims to be a blend of Dubai and Las Vegas, as well as a showcase for the country in terms of relaxation holidays.
Close to the port of Turkmenbashi, Avaza is a new popular seaside resort that aims to be a blend of Dubai and Las Vegas, as well as a showcase for the country in terms of relaxation holidays.
Balkanabat
This large town near the sea mainly serves as a base for exploring the Dehistan site and the Yangykala Canyon.
This large town near the sea mainly serves as a base for exploring the Dehistan site and the Yangykala Canyon.
Dashoguz
The country's third-largest city is located on the border with Uzbekistan. Several museums and numerous Soviet-style buildings can be seen here. It is also often the starting point for visiting the nearby site of Kunya-Urgench.
The country's third-largest city is located on the border with Uzbekistan. Several museums and numerous Soviet-style buildings can be seen here. It is also often the starting point for visiting the nearby site of Kunya-Urgench.
Gonur Depe
This is an archaeological site bearing witness to an ancient civilization that settled here several millennia ago, during the Bronze Age.
This is an archaeological site bearing witness to an ancient civilization that settled here several millennia ago, during the Bronze Age.
Kunya-Urgench
These are the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient capital city built along the caravan routes.
These are the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient capital city built along the caravan routes.
Mary
The major city in the southeast serves primarily as a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly the UNESCO-listed site of Merv.
The major city in the southeast serves primarily as a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly the UNESCO-listed site of Merv.
Nisa
These are the ruins of one of the most important Parthian cities. The archaeological site, near the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
These are the ruins of one of the most important Parthian cities. The archaeological site, near the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tarshavat
Les ruines d'un ancien caravansérail de la Route de la Soie situées dans les environs de la ville de Balkanabat.
Les ruines d'un ancien caravansérail de la Route de la Soie situées dans les environs de la ville de Balkanabat.
Turkmenabat
This eastern city is the country’s second-largest. It’s mainly a stopover or base for exploring the surrounding area or heading to Uzbekistan.
This eastern city is the country’s second-largest. It’s mainly a stopover or base for exploring the surrounding area or heading to Uzbekistan.
Turkmenbashi
The main port (primarily for oil) on the Caspian Sea, with a few beaches and ferries for crossing. The beach activity is concentrated a few kilometres away in Avaza.
The main port (primarily for oil) on the Caspian Sea, with a few beaches and ferries for crossing. The beach activity is concentrated a few kilometres away in Avaza.
Natural Heritage
Darvaza Crater
Also known as the "Gates of Hell", this is a 70-metre-wide crater that has been burning continuously since 1971.
Also known as the "Gates of Hell", this is a 70-metre-wide crater that has been burning continuously since 1971.
Karakum Desert
While not as spectacular as other desert expanses, it covers a large part of Turkmenistan with scattered oases and traces of the region's past history.
While not as spectacular as other desert expanses, it covers a large part of Turkmenistan with scattered oases and traces of the region's past history.
Garabogazköl
This vast lagoon in the northwest of the country has the unique feature of having such a high salt content that you float constantly.
This vast lagoon in the northwest of the country has the unique feature of having such a high salt content that you float constantly.
Koytendag Nature Reserve
Located in the eastern part of the country, you can see plenty of dinosaur footprints, the highest point in Turkmenistan, caves, and canyons lost in a desert environment.
Located in the eastern part of the country, you can see plenty of dinosaur footprints, the highest point in Turkmenistan, caves, and canyons lost in a desert environment.
Repetek Nature Reserve
This desert and dune area is home to numerous bird species, gazelles, and a particular type of large lizard called zemzen.
This desert and dune area is home to numerous bird species, gazelles, and a particular type of large lizard called zemzen.
Recommended
Yangykala Canyon
★★★ An impressive canyon in the west of the country with a stunning panorama.
Merv
★★★ The UNESCO-listed ruins of what was once a major city on the Silk Road.
Worth a look / Other
Ashgabat
★★ The Turkmen capital boasts strikingly modern and somewhat "astonishing" architecture, with many marble-clad buildings from the era of…
Avaza
★★ Close to the port of Turkmenbashi, Avaza is a new popular seaside resort that aims to be a blend of Dubai and Las Vegas, as well as a…
Kunya-Urgench
★★ These are the UNESCO-listed ruins of an ancient capital city built along the caravan routes.
Nisa
★★ These are the ruins of one of the most important Parthian cities. The archaeological site, near the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage…
Koytendag Nature Reserve
★★ Located in the eastern part of the country, you can see plenty of dinosaur footprints, the highest point in Turkmenistan, caves, and…
Repetek Nature Reserve
★★ This desert and dune area is home to numerous bird species, gazelles, and a particular type of large lizard called zemzen.
Balkanabat
★ This large town near the sea mainly serves as a base for exploring the Dehistan site and the Yangykala Canyon.
Darvaza Crater
★ Also known as the "Gates of Hell", this is a 70-metre-wide crater that has been burning continuously since 1971.
Dashoguz
★ The country's third-largest city is located on the border with Uzbekistan. Several museums and numerous Soviet-style buildings can be seen…
Dehistan
★ In a desert area, these are the last remnants of an ancient Silk Road city.
Karakum Desert
★ While not as spectacular as other desert expanses, it covers a large part of Turkmenistan with scattered oases and traces of the region's…
Garabogazköl
★ This vast lagoon in the northwest of the country has the unique feature of having such a high salt content that you float constantly.
Gonur Depe
★ This is an archaeological site bearing witness to an ancient civilization that settled here several millennia ago, during the Bronze Age.
Mary
★ The major city in the southeast serves primarily as a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly the UNESCO-listed site of Merv.
Tarshavat
★ Les ruines d'un ancien caravansérail de la Route de la Soie situées dans les environs de la ville de Balkanabat.
Turkmenabat
★ This eastern city is the country’s second-largest. It’s mainly a stopover or base for exploring the surrounding area or heading…
Turkmenbashi
★ The main port (primarily for oil) on the Caspian Sea, with a few beaches and ferries for crossing. The beach activity is concentrated a few…