Attractions in Turkmenistan

Awaza Tourist Zone

Awaza is an ambitious resort project on the Caspian Sea, featuring luxury hotels, artificial canals, and parks.

Dayahatyn Caravanserai

The ruins of the 11th-century Dayahatyn Caravanserai are a stunning example of Seljuk brick architecture along the Silk Road.

Darvaza Gas Crater

Often called the 'Door to Hell', this burning crater was formed in 1971 when a natural gas cavern collapsed.

Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque

Located in Gökdepe, it is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia, distinguished by its white marble and golden dome.

Ancient Merv

The oasis city of Merv was once one of the largest metropolises in the world and a major hub on the Silk Road.

Ashgabat Flagpole

One of the tallest freestanding flagpoles in the world stands proudly in front of the State Museum in Ashgabat.

Shir Kabir Mausoleum

This ancient monument in western Turkmenistan combines the function of a mosque and a mausoleum.

State Museum of Turkmenistan

The impressive State Museum documents the history and culture of Turkmenistan.

Kutlug Timur Minaret

This historic minaret in Köneürgenç is one of the tallest surviving minarets in Central Asia.

icon

Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center

The Alem Cultural Center in Ashgabat houses a gigantic Ferris wheel integrated into a structure of glass and white marble.

Independence Monument

This magnificent monument in Ashgabat symbolizes Turkmen independence.

Monument of Neutrality

Crowned with a golden statue of former President Niyazov, this monument celebrates Turkmenistan's official neutrality.

Tekesh Mausoleum

A monument featuring a stunning blue-tiled conical dome in honor of a powerful ruler.

Astana-Baba Mausoleum

A complex of interconnected religious monuments built over several centuries.

Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum

A magnificent 12th-century tomb built for the Seljuk ruler.

Nature

coast

Türkmenbaşy Gulf Coast

This stretch of coast on the Caspian Sea is characterized by sheltered bays and important wetlands.

Park

Ruhyyet Park

An elegant city park near the Presidential Palace, known for its marble architecture and tranquility.

coast

Garabogazköl Coast

An isolated coastal region on the shallow lagoon of the Caspian Sea.

Park

Balkanabat Central Park

A green oasis in the desert city of Balkanabat, offering recreation for the local population.

Köýtendag Range

A prominent mountain range in the far east of Turkmenistan, hosting the country's highest peaks.

Park

Turkmenbashi Seaside Park

A scenic park along the coast that allows for walks with sea views.

Mount Syunt

A prominent mountain peak in the western part of the Kopet-Dag Mountains.

Little Balkan Range

The smaller twin brother of the Great Balkan Range is located to its south.

Great Balkan Range

An isolated mountain massif in the western desert landscape of Turkmenistan.

Lake

Sarygamysh Lake

A large lake on the border with Uzbekistan in a deep depression.

More highlights

Yangykala Canyon

Yangykala Canyon, meaning 'Fire Fortress', impresses with its steep, colorful rock walls in shades of pink, red, and yellow.

Gonur Depe

Gonur Depe is a vast archaeological site and the center of the Bronze Age oasis culture in Central Asia.

Altyn Asyr Bazaar

This vast market on the outskirts of Ashgabat, often called Tolkuchka, is one of the largest in Central Asia.

Kow-Ata Underground Lake

Deep in the foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains lies this natural thermal underground lake.

Zaunguz Karakum

The northernmost part of the Karakum Desert, separated from the rest of the desert by the Unguz depression.

valley

Uzboy Valley

The dry riverbed of a historic watercourse that once connected the Amu Darya with the Caspian Sea.

Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque

Built in classical Ottoman style, the mosque in Ashgabat resembles the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

Southeastern Karakum

This part of the desert is located near the oases of Mary and is influenced by the Murghab River.

Central Karakum

The heart of the Karakum Desert, characterized by endless sand dunes and sparse vegetation.

valley

Murghab Valley

This fertile river valley forms an important oasis in the middle of the arid Karakum Desert.

Karakum Desert

A vast sand desert that covers more than seventy percent of the area of Turkmenistan.

Sundukli Desert

A smaller desert region in eastern Turkmenistan, bordering the Amu Darya river.

Ustyurt Plateau

A vast, inhospitable limestone plateau stretching across northwestern Turkmenistan.

Badhyz Hills

A rolling, drought-prone hilly landscape in southern Turkmenistan.

Krasnovodsk Plateau

A barren plateau in the west of the country bordering the Caspian Sea.

Kaplankyr Plateau

This rugged plateau forms a southern spur of the Ustyurt Plateau.

trade-hub

Serhetyaka Trade Hub

An important logistics and trade center near the border with Iran, promoting cross-border commodity exchange.

energy

Ahal State Power Plant

An important power generation facility that supplies electricity to the capital Ashgabat and the surrounding Ahal region.

wildlife-area

Caspian Seal Habitat

A coastal protected area in the Caspian Sea important for the survival of the endangered Caspian seal.

ruin

Abiverd Ruins

One of the most important cities of northern Khorasan, abandoned after multiple destructive invasions.

battlefield

Geok Tepe Fortress

The site of a major battle in 1881 where Turkmen forces defended themselves against the Russian army.

ruin

Altyn Depe

A significant archaeological site from the Copper and Bronze Ages, whose name refers to a golden hill.

energy

Mary State Power Plant

The largest power plant in Turkmenistan, providing a large portion of the country's electrical energy.

agriculture

Agricultural University Fields

Experimental fields in Ashgabat where new cultivation methods for the desert climate are developed.

ruin

Namazga Depe

One of the largest early agricultural settlements in southern Turkmenistan from the Chalcolithic period.