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Türkmenbaşy
ℹ️Practical info — Türkmenbaşy
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The 19th-century railway station is a masterpiece of Tsarist architecture.
- Take a boat cruise on the Awaza Canal to see the modern resort skyline from the water.
- Be prepared for surprisingly cold water in the Caspian Sea, even during the peak of summer.
- Use the Awaza area for modern amenities and the city center for historical exploration.
- Visit the port area at sunset for striking industrial views of the 'Red Water' bay.
🍽 Food
Traditional smoked sturgeon or other Caspian fish found at the local market.
Often available at the bazaar at low prices, but check export regulations first.
Freshly caught Caspian fish served in high-end restaurants along the canal.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The heart of the city, best for smoked fish and camel wool socks.
Traditional embroidered skullcaps featuring unique regional patterns.
Look for intricate silver pieces in the city's small handicraft shops.
A few hours drive away, but unmatched for silent, red-rock natural beauty.
The far ends of the resort strip are often completely empty and peaceful.
A prehistoric archaeological site in the nearby foothills, away from the crowds.
Water temperature…
Türkmenbaşy is Turkmenistan's principal seaport, lying on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea sheltered by the Türkmenbaşy peninsula inside a natural bay. The modern city of around 90,000 inhabitants was founded in 1869 as a Russian military outpost called Krasnovodsk and renamed in 1993 in honour of President Saparmyrat Nyýazow. It is the terminus of the Trans-Caspian Railway and a major hub for oil, containers and ferry traffic to Azerbaijan and Iran. West of the city stretches the upmarket Awaza tourist zone, with modern hotels, an artificial canal and sandy beaches. Visitors also explore the port with its monumental clock, the cliffs of the Cheleken peninsula and the Hasar Nature Reserve, home to flamingos and Caspian seals that depend on its shallow coastal waters.
- Location: Turkmenistan
- Top sights: Rear 339.4 · Front 339.4 · Armenian Church
- Nearby: Hazar (41 km)
- Population: ~91.745 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 10 | 6 |
| Rain mm | 12 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 17 | 12 |
Geography
Facts
- The city was founded in the year 1869
- Türkmenbaşy was named Krasnovodsk until 1993
- Turkmenistan's only major seaport on the Caspian Sea
- Home to the largest oil refinery in the country
- Western terminus of the Trans-Caspian Railway
- The nearby Awaza zone is a modern tourist center
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Türkmenbaşy (8)
Oilworkers' Palace of Culture
House of culture in Türkmenbaşy (formerly Krasnovodsk), hosting theatre and concerts.
Türkmen Metjidi
Mosque in Türkmenbaşy, a modern place of worship for the city's Muslim community.
100 let Krasnovodsku
Monument marking 100 years of Krasnovodsk (now Türkmenbaşy) in Turkmenistan.
Church of the Archangel Michael
Russian Orthodox church in Türkmenbaşy, dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Türkmenbaşy special?
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Türkmenbaşy: where is it located?
Türkmenbaşy: what is there to see?
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Türkmenbaşy: why is it worth visiting?
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History & landmarks
Nature
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