Van
City in Turkey
Van is a city in eastern Turkey with a population of about 1.1 million. Visitors travel here to see historic sites like Van Fortress and the Saint Bartholomew Monastery, as well as natural landmarks like Mount Tendürek.
What to see
Historical sites include Van Fortress and the Saint Bartholomew Monastery. Nature enthusiasts can visit Mount Tendürek.
When to go
The summer months from June through September are the warmest, with highs reaching 27 °C in July and August and minimal rainfall. Winters are cold, particularly from December to March, when temperatures drop as low as -9 °C in February.
Getting there
Van Ferit Melen Airport is located 8 km from the city. The nearest international hub is Nakhchivan International Airport, 193 km away. The city is 925 km from Ankara.
Top sights in Van
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 27 °C. The wettest is April, with about 65 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 16 | 8 | 3 |
| Average low, °C | -8 | -9 | -4 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 1 | -5 |
| Rainfall, mm | 41 | 42 | 57 | 65 | 53 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 45 | 60 | 50 |
| Rainy days | 11 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Van (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Varagavank
- Çavuştepe