Things to Do in Saray: 3 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Saray

• 1 Historic
• 1 Nature
• 1 Other

While you are in Saray, you can also see the highlights of Van province. These places are in other districts; Saray is about 85 km from the provincial centre.

• Akdamar Church — An Armenian church rising on Akdamar Island in Lake Van, also known as Surp Haç (Holy Cross); it is renowned for its rich reliefs.
• Van Castle (Tuşpa) — A fortress built in the 9th century BC by Sarduri, looking down like a bird's-eye view over Tuşpa, the Urartian capital; it is 1,800 metres long and 80 metres high, and lies 5 km from Van.
• Lake Van — Türkiye's largest lake, covering 3,713 km²; its water is salty and rich in soda, so it does not freeze.
• Hoşap Castle — A castle rising on a steep slope at Güzelsu, on the Van–Başkale road; it was rebuilt in 1643 by the Mahmudi bey Sarı Süleyman.
• Çavuştepe Castle — An Urartian castle at Gürpınar, 25 km from Van, built by Sarduri II between 764 and 734 BC and made up of a lower and an upper fortress.
• Muradiye Waterfall — A waterfall dropping 18 metres, 8 km north of the Muradiye district centre; it takes its name from Murad IV.

Practical Information for Visiting Saray

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Summer months (June–September)

Places to visit

3 places

• 🍳

  Van Kahvaltısı (Van breakfast)

  Van breakfast, made up of herb cheese, kaymak, honey and dozens of kinds of jam, is also served in Saray as a rich spread.

• 🥣

  Kelecoş (bean, bulgur and yoghurt dish)

  A traditional dish made with dried beans, bulgur and yoghurt, it is an essential winter flavour. Its preparation with fresh, natural ingredients makes it a healthy choice.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Saray

• 🏔️

  Border Culture

  Saray is a district on the Iranian border. Border trade and cultural interaction have shaped the way of life in the district.

Local Products

• Bahçesaray Cevizi (Bahçesaray walnuts) — Bahçesaray walnuts were registered as a protected designation of origin on 8 March 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1043). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Van Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Van Otlu Peyniri (Van herb cheese) — Herb cheese made from sheep's milk and flavoured with local herbs, it is also produced in Saray.

Economy

Saray's economy is based on farming and livestock. Small livestock farming is the main source of livelihood. Wheat and barley are also grown.

How to Get to Saray

Saray is 85 km from Van city centre. Access is by road. Regular minibus services run from Van.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Van

Saray: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Saray Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Van The province's 9 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Van

• Bahçesaray 12 places Bahçesaray Valley, Bahçesaray Castle and Mir Hasan-ı Veli Zaviyesi (Sufi lodge)
• Başkale 4 places Başkale Castle, Hoşap Castle and Albayrak St. Bartholomeus Church
• Çaldıran 3 places Çaldıran Plain, Çaldıran Battlefield and Çaldıran Kübik Village Tombs
• Çatak 5 places Çatak Valley, Sorkin Çayı Bridge and Çatak Castle
• Edremit 5 places Şamran Kanalı, Edremit Coast and Akdamar Island
• Erciş 6 places Erciş Castle, Çelebibağı Tomb and Zernaki Şehir Kalıntısı
• Gevaş 6 places Akdamar Island Pier, Gevaş Seljuk Cemetery and Halime Hatun Tomb (Kümbet)
• Gürpınar 6 places Hoşap Castle, Gürpınar Waterfall and Çavuştepe Castle
• İpekyolu 4 places Van Castle, Akköprü and Alipaşa
• Muradiye 5 places Muradiye Waterfall, Muradiye Castle and Saint Stefanos Church
• Özalp 4 places Özalp Castle, Akgöl and Özalp Plateaus
• Tuşba 5 places Van Castle, Mollakasım Beach and Van Museum