Best Things To Do in Edirne, Turkey

Tourist Attractions in Edirne

Here is the list of things to do in Edirne and tourist attractions in city.

1. Selimiye Mosque

   4.9 (396 Votes)
   

   Mosque, Religious Site, Educational Site, Architecture

   Commissioned by Sultan Selim II and built by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, this Islamic architecture masterpiece is the most elegant summary of Ottoman architectural philosophy. The interiors and exteriors are highly symmetrical, a distinctive feature that was designed to draw the eye and centralise the rapidly expanding city. The highlights to notice are: How, unusually for mosques, this o...Read more

2. Beyazid Ii Kulliyesi Health Museum

   4.7 (282 Votes)
   

   Museum

   This hospital museum is set within a complex of buildings that was for four centuries famous for its treatment of various diseases, and especially mental illnesses (which they treated unusually humanistic methods - with musical therapy and aroma therapy). Today it exhibits the history of medicine and health matters in general. As such, it is a critically important centre on the development of m...Read more

3. Eski Cami

   4.9 (275 Votes)
   

   Mosque, Religious Site, Outdoors, Observatory

   This lovely 15th century Ottoman Mosque is located close to the historical centre of Edirne, not far away from Selimiye. It is one of the three imperial mosques in the city, and the smallest of these. Still, that doesn’t mean the other Mosques overshadow it, for it houses something beautiful – exquisite calligraphic writings on its interior walls. The other highlights are the small ...Read more

4. Meric River Bridge

   

   Outdoors, River, Observatory, Bridge

   The 150 year old bridge crosses the Maritsa, and though it doesn’t seem very remarkable in and of itself, it stands on one of the most picturesque spots in town. There is a cute cafe nearby, where you can grab some tea, sit down, and watch the crowd go by. In the middle of the bridge, there is an Ottoman Kiosk, from where apparently, the Sultan used to watch the sunsets – you can ta...Read more

5. Karaagac

   

   Outdoors, Educational Site, Food And Drinks, Street Market

   A quaint town, Karaagac has an important history, not least of which is that the Treaty of Lausanne was signed here. Just 4km southwest of Edirne, the city has pretty streets, lovely boulevards and parks. It’s an extremely charming place, and you should make it a point just to walk around. Some of the attractions and highlights you’ll find here are: Two ottoman bridges: one spannin...Read more

6. Grand Bazaar Of Edirne

   

   Outdoors, Landmark, Food And Drinks, Entertainment

   Built in the 16th century by Mimar Sinan, this covered bazaar isn’t like the usual Turkish bazaars you may have heard of, especially like the one in Istanbul. The merchants here are very polite and nice to you, not pushy. The bazaar isn’t quite so large, either, but there is a good range of merchandise - ceramics, carpets, lamps, clothes, bags, shoes, spice, antiques and souvenirs. ...Read more

7. Edirne Archaeological And Ethnographical Museum

   

   Art And Culture, Observatory, Educational Site, Archaeological Site

   This museum is sister to the Museum of Islamic Arts close to Selimiye Mosque and is located right next to it. It’s highlights are: Thracian funerary steles featuring horsemen. Textiles and carpets (Socks, gloves, various embroidered napkins, waistbands and towels). Clothes (shirts, jackets, dresses and Turkish trousers). Calligraphy and jewellery. Decorative wooden objects. Kitchen utens...Read more

8. Turkish And Islamic Art Museum

   4.8 (279 Votes)
   

   Art And Culture, Museum, History Museum, Outdoors

   Established in 1925 by Dr Rifat Osman, consisting of the small rooms of the beautiful medrese Hadith School along the northeast corner of Selimiye Mosque’s courtyard, the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum of Edirne offers a diverse collection of the Ottoman era artefacts. The collections include calligraphy, glassworks, woodworks, ceramics, weaponry, ornaments and intricate costumes. You wil...Read more

9. Balkan War Museum And Sukru Pasha Memorial

   

   Military Museum, History Museum, Observatory, Educational Site

   This monument was opened in 2000, and lies on the highest hill in the city, close to the city cemetery. Rustu Pasha was the commander of Edirne’s defending forces during the Balkan war. The museum isn’t that big, but manages to a surprising number of war-artefacts in its four galleries. There is extensive documentation and also figurines and weapons, such as a small cannon used duri...Read more

10. Three Balconies Mosque

    4.8 (281 Votes)
    

    Mosque, Religious Site, Observatory, Educational Site

    This is the third of the three imperial mosques in the city centre. You best cover them all together. When first built, it was distinct for having the largest dome of any Ottoman building. The highlights are: Two blue-turquoise tile panels in the tympana of the windows. Chinese floral borders. A prettily painted central dome. The fountain in the gorgeous courtyard. The minaret with stylistic t...Read more

11. Macedonian Tower

    

    Observatory, Educational Site, Historical Site, Architecture

    There are two reasons this tower could have been named such. One, that it looks over the general direction where Macedonia used to be. Two, Macedonia used to once extend all the way to Edirne. The tower is one of the four great ramparts of a castle built in Edirne during Roman times. Today, you can get into the tower, but you can’t climb to the top. The upper part of the tower was demolis...Read more

12. Eski Sarayi

    4.2 (264 Votes)
    

    This 15th century Ottoman palace was one of the largest in the empire. Even when Edirne wasn’t the ottoman capital anymore, it remained as a favourite royal summer retreat, with large hunting grounds surrounding it. In 1875 however, the Russians tore the palace down, as it was at that time being used as an arsenal, and they didn’t want it falling into the hands of the Bulgarians. To...Read more

13. Saraclar Caddesi

    

    Outdoors, Landmark, Food And Drinks, Market

    Pedestrians only. This shopping street, with a good number of cafes at its sides, is one of the best places in the city to people watch. The architecture surrounding the place is neo-classical. It’s especially pretty in the evening, when everything is lit up in neon lights. There are benches aplenty to sit on under shady trees, and a few fountains.

14. Treaty Of Lausanne Monument And Museum

    

    Opened in 1998, this museum is housed in the historic Karaagac Railway Staion. The Treaty of Lausanne came about in 1923, because the Turkish National Movement rejected the treaty formulated by the Allies and the Ottoman Empire as a result of losing too much territory. Karaagac was thus returned to Turkey after initially having been given to Greece (the current border is just about 1km away). O...Read more

15. Rustem Pasha Caravanserai

    

    Technically this is a hotel, but it’s sheer historical value makes is must visit tourist attraction. May we recommend that you stay here rather than any of Edirne’s other, modern hotels. This traveller’s inn was built by the famous Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. Or you can just visit.

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