Van is a historic city in eastern Turkey set on the southeastern shore of Lake Van — the largest lake in Turkey and one of the world's largest soda lakes at 3,713 km². The city sits at 1,750 metres above sea level, surrounded by dramatic volcanic mountains. Van is famous for its extraordinary breakfast tradition (Van kahvaltısı), its legendary white Van cats with heterochromia, and the nearby Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island. The ancient Urartian fortress of Van Castle looms over the old city ruins, recalling a civilisation that flourished here from the 9th to 7th centuries BC. Van today is a vibrant Kurdish-majority city with a warm, hospitable culture and access to some of eastern Turkey's most rewarding landscapes.
IMPORTANT: The US State Department (as of 2026) advises citizens to exercise increased caution or reconsider travel to eastern Turkey including Van province, citing risks related to regional conflicts and terrorism. The UK FCDO similarly advises against travel within 10 km of the Syrian border and recommends increased caution in the region. Van city and its main tourist sites (Van Castle, Akdamar Island, Van Museum) continue to receive independent travellers, but all visitors must check their government's current advisory before booking. The city itself has a strong local hospitality culture and low violent crime against tourists; the advisory relates primarily to regional geopolitical risks rather than city-level crime.
Current safety advisory
Elevated Caution Required — Eastern Turkey Is Subject To Formal Travel Advisories From Multiple Governments
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Keep copies of important documents (passport, insurance) in separate locations.
Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
Use registered taxis or rideshare apps. Avoid unmarked vehicles offering rides.
Trust your instincts — if a situation feels wrong, remove yourself from it.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
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- Altitude
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- Van is at 1,750 m above sea level. Some travellers experience mild altitude effects (headache, fatigue) in the first day or two — rest and stay hydrated.
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- Water
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- Tap water is treated but alkaline (from Lake Van basin). Drink bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive (₺15–25/1.5L). Lake Van water is not drinkable.
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- Food safety
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- Van's breakfast houses and established restaurants are generally safe. Wash hands before eating street food. Traveller's diarrhoea is possible — carry imodium or equivalent.
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- Pharmacies
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- Eczane (pharmacies) are common on Cumhuriyet Caddesi. On-call pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane): displayed in pharmacy windows and at police stations.
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- Hospitals
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- Van Training and Research Hospital: +90 432 215 7490. Private Medika Hastanesi Van: +90 432 215 8000. Both handle emergencies with basic English.
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- COVID/vaccinations
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- Turkey requires no specific vaccinations for visitors. Routine vaccinations (hepatitis A, typhoid) recommended as good travel practice. Check NHS or CDC for current advice.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
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