Turkmenistan sits firmly at the top of my must-visit list. This is the country where an eternal fire pit burns in the desert, cities sparkle with more marble than Vegas, and ancient Silk Road ruins bake in the sun. Every traveler who makes it through the strict visa process comes back with stories that sound like they’re making them up.
These are the most beautiful places to visit in Turkmenistan that photographers and adventurers swear are worth the paperwork hassle. My list covers 12 spots that mix bizarre modern architecture with serious historical punch. From a capital city that looks like it’s made of wedding cakes to a literal hole of fire in the desert, Turkmenistan promises to be unlike anywhere you’ve been before.
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#1 tip to save money on your trip to Turkmenistan
Let’s first cover some quick tips that will save you time and money on your Turkmen adventure.
- FLYING: If you haven’t already, I HIGHLY recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going). I have seen flights to Ashgabat for just $450 roundtrip thanks to their email alerts. The premium and elite version are even better!
- Food: Cafeterias called “ashkhanas” offer the most affordable meals, where traditional dishes like pilaf and shashlik cost around $3-5. The Russian Bazaar in Ashgabat offers better prices than state stores. Most tourists are required to stay in pre-approved hotels where meals can be expensive, so I recommend stocking up on snacks and water when you find reasonable prices.
- Transport: Independent travel is essentially impossible in Turkmenistan. You’ll need a guide and pre-arranged transportation as part of your tourist visa requirements. To save money, I recommend finding other travelers through your tour company to share the mandatory guide and driver costs. One silver lining – the extremely subsidized domestic flights to places like Darvaza Gas Crater (“Gates of Hell”) are surprisingly cheap when arranged through your tour company.
Turkmenistan may be one of the world’s most unusual and controlled tourist destinations, where typical budget travel strategies don’t apply. But if you plan carefully, book through reputable agencies that allow small group sharing, you can experience this fascinating country without completely breaking the bank. Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the best places to visit in Turkmenistan!
The Coolest Places to Visit in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan isn’t easy to visit, but that’s part of what makes it incredible. With a flaming crater in the desert, marble cities rising from the sand, and colorful canyons few travelers ever see, it offers some of Central Asia’s most spectacular landscapes. Let me show you what makes this closed-off country so fascinating!
1. Ashgabat
- 📍 Location: Central Ashgabat, Ahal
- 🏆 Best For: 🏛️ Architecture buffs, 📸 urban photographers, 🧳 curious culture seekers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the Arch of Neutrality, visiting the Turkmen Carpet Museum, strolling through Independence Park
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June for warm days and blooming gardens 🌸
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Yyldyz Hotel – Luxury accommodation offering spa, fitness, pools, and a panoramic restaurant with sweeping city views
Ashgabat is unlike any other capital in Central Asia. Known for its gleaming white marble buildings and surreal symmetry, it feels more like a movie set than a functioning city. Walking its spotless boulevards lined with golden statues and elaborate fountains is part of the experience. It’s clean, quiet, and bizarre in the most fascinating way.
Make sure to ride to the top of the Arch of Neutrality for sweeping views of the skyline and nearby Kopetdag Mountains. For something cultural, the Turkmen Carpet Museum and National Museum of History offer a deep dive into the country’s past and present.
Nighttime brings another layer to the experience when buildings light up with LED displays and dancing fountains. Ashgabat is weird, wonderful, and worth at least a day or two to soak in its unique charm. It’s a city that will leave you wanting more.
2. Caspian Sea
- 📍 Location: Turkmenbashy, Balkan
- 🏆 Best For: 🌊 Beach lovers, 🐟 seafood seekers, 🚤 water activity fans
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing at Awaza resort area, joining a boat tour, exploring local fish markets
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September for warm water and sunny beach days 🏖️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Charlak – Modern hotel with sea views, sauna, gym, and cinema
Turkmenistan’s slice of the Caspian Sea is one of its most relaxing spots. The coastal city of Turkmenbashy gives you access to sandy shores, breezy weather, and a surprisingly modern resort strip called Awaza. You’ll find hotels, promenades, and cafes right on the water.
This area is ideal for those who want a break from desert landscapes. You can join boat tours, take a swim, or just enjoy a peaceful sunset along the boardwalk. Seafood is also a major draw, with local fish markets offering fresh catches cooked right on the spot.
Despite being lesser-known than other Caspian destinations, Turkmenbashy has a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for slow travel. It’s easy to spend a couple of days soaking in the views and sea air before heading inland to continue your Turkmenistan adventure.
3. Darvaza (Gate of Hell)
- 📍 Location: Karakum Desert, Ahal
- 🏆 Best For: 🔥 Adventure travelers, 🌌 night photographers, 🏕️ campers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching the crater at night, camping beside the fire pit, off-road driving through the desert
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: September to November for cooler desert nights and clearer skies 🌠
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Darvaza Wild Camping – Basic campsite offering tent spots for your own gear
Darvaza is one of the wildest sights you’ll ever witness. This massive flaming gas crater has been burning nonstop since the 1970s, earning it the nickname “Gate of Hell.” The best part? You can get right up to the edge and even spend the night nearby.
Most travelers arrive with a guided tour, since reaching the site requires hours of off-road driving through the vast Karakum Desert. Once you’re there, the heat, sound, and glow of the crater make for an unforgettable atmosphere, especially after dark.
Camping next to the crater is a popular experience. Locals often cook meals over the fire and swap stories while stargazing. It’s a remote spot, but the reward is one of the most unique and surreal adventures in Central Asia. Darvaza is more than a photo op, it’s a full-on desert moment you’ll never forget.
✈️ My #1 Tip for Cheap Flights:
If you’re not using Going, you’re probably overpaying for flights. I’ve scored roundtrips to Europe for under $300 - and I never would’ve found them on Google Flights.
Their free version is great, but Premium is where the real magic happens. I recommend doing the 14-day free trial. And right now, you can get 25% off Premium or Elite with my code: JON25.
Seriously, it’s the best travel decision I’ve ever made (in 8+ years).
4. Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- 📍 Location: South Ashgabat, Ahal
- 🏆 Best For: 🕌 Spiritual travelers, 📷 architecture fans, 🧘 peaceful explorers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Admiring the marble exterior, joining a prayer session, viewing the chandelier-lit interior
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May for comfortable temperatures and blooming surroundings 🌼
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Yyldyz Hotel – Premier hotel offering panoramic city views, spa, fitness center, and pools
One of the most striking buildings in Ashgabat, the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque is a fusion of Ottoman and Turkmen design. Its four towering minarets and large central dome mirror the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, while the white marble exterior glows under the sun.
Inside, it’s just as impressive. Soft carpets line the prayer hall and chandeliers hang from a high ceiling adorned with geometric patterns. It’s a calm and sacred space where visitors are welcome to observe or join in respectful silence.
The mosque sits in a quiet part of the city and offers a break from Ashgabat’s futuristic skyline. Many locals come here daily, which adds to its lived-in feel. Whether you’re religious or just curious about Islamic architecture, this mosque is a meaningful stop that blends beauty and serenity in a truly Turkmen setting.
5. Gonur Tepe
- 📍 Location: North of Mary
- 🏆 Best For: 🏺 History fans, 🏜️ archaeology buffs, 🕵️ curious wanderers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking through ancient ruins, spotting remains of palaces, observing active excavation work
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: October to November for cooler desert conditions and easy walking weather 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: MerwHotel – Accommodation on Murgap Road featuring free Wi‑Fi, self-parking, and onsite restaurant
Gonur Tepe is one of Turkmenistan’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Thought to be the capital of the Margiana civilization, it predates many more well-known ancient cities. What you’ll see here are ruins of temples, palaces, and early water systems buried deep in the desert.
The site sits several hours from Mary and requires a guided tour due to its remote location. Once there, you’ll explore a maze of mudbrick structures, some still being unearthed today. Researchers are constantly discovering new artifacts, giving you the rare chance to witness archaeology in action.
Gonur Tepe feels more like an open-air dig than a tourist attraction, and that’s what makes it so exciting. The silence, the dry heat, and the wind whipping through ancient corridors all combine for a haunting, immersive experience that sticks with you long after you leave.
6. Konye-Urgench
- 📍 Location: Near Dashoguz, Dashoguz Province
- 🏆 Best For: 🕌 History lovers, 🧱 architecture geeks, 🌍 UNESCO site hunters
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Kutlug Timur Minaret, exploring ancient mausoleums, learning about Sufi heritage
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to May for sunny days and mild temperatures 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Uzboy – Modest accommodation near Dashoguz with easy access to the historical site
Konye-Urgench is a time capsule of medieval Central Asia. Once a thriving Silk Road city, it now stands in ruins that echo with stories from the 10th to 14th centuries. Its standout landmark is the towering Kutlug Timur Minaret, rising 60 meters high over flat desert land.
Walking among the ancient mausoleums and tombs feels surreal. Some are beautifully preserved with turquoise tiles and intricate script, while others are weathered and cracked, adding to the haunting beauty. Many travelers visit as a day trip from Dashoguz, though spending extra time helps you appreciate the scale of the site.
This UNESCO World Heritage area is ideal for those who want a peaceful, contemplative stop. You won’t find crowds or commercial stalls here—just wide open space, dusty relics, and a connection to a distant past that once shaped the entire region.
7. Kopetdag State Nature Reserve
- 📍 Location: Border region near Ashgabat, Ahal
- 🏆 Best For: 🐐 Wildlife watchers, 🥾 hikers, 🌲 nature lovers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Trekking through forested slopes, spotting rare animals, enjoying mountain panoramas
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May for blooming wildflowers and active wildlife 🌺
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Ak Altyn Hotel – Simple hotel in Ashgabat offering access to reserve day trips
Kopetdag State Nature Reserve sits right along the border with Iran and offers a refreshing break from Turkmenistan’s desert-heavy terrain. The reserve protects a range of habitats, from rocky cliffs to woodland valleys, making it a hotspot for biodiversity.
If you’re into wildlife, this is one of the best places in the country to spot species like the Urial sheep, caracals, and golden eagles. The landscapes change quickly as you hike—one moment you’re crossing dry slopes, the next you’re under the shade of pistachio trees and acacia bushes.
Many locals also visit the region for weekend picnics, especially when the weather is mild. With a local guide, you can hike deeper into the protected zones and gain insight into the area’s unique ecosystems. It’s a quiet, low-key adventure that rewards anyone looking to slow down and reconnect with nature.
8. Kow Ata Underground Lake
- 📍 Location: Baharden, Ahal
- 🏆 Best For: 🏞️ Cave explorers, 💦 wellness seekers, 🎒 offbeat travelers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Swimming in thermal waters, exploring Baharden Cave, spotting bats inside the cavern
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: October to April for cooler weather and better hiking conditions ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Nebitchi – Basic state-run hotel in Ashgabat
Kow Ata is one of Turkmenistan’s weirdest and coolest experiences, literally. This underground thermal lake sits inside Baharden Cave and stays warm year-round, making it ideal for an out-of-this-world swimming experience deep below the earth’s surface. The cave is humid and steamy, lit by soft artificial lighting that gives the water an eerie glow.
To reach the lake, you’ll descend a long stairway into the depths of the cave. The air smells strongly of minerals, and bats can sometimes be seen clinging to the walls. Once you’re in the water, the experience feels like a mix of spa treatment and adventure park.
Locals believe the mineral-rich water has healing properties, and it’s common to see both tourists and Turkmens relaxing in the pool. It’s an easy day trip from Ashgabat and a memorable stop for anyone who enjoys offbeat travel with a twist of nature and wellness.
9. Merv
- 📍 Location: East of Mary
- 🏆 Best For: 🏛️ Ancient history fans, 📷 ruin photographers, 🧭 Silk Road explorers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, walking among fortress walls, learning about medieval life
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to April for cooler weather and green desert landscapes 🌿
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Margush Hotel Mary – Comfortable base for exploring Merv’s historical complex
Merv is a place where the silence speaks louder than the crowds. Once one of the largest cities in the world, this Silk Road giant now rests as a sprawling archaeological park filled with weathered ruins and sand-blown secrets. Its vast layout lets you explore palaces, mosques, and fortresses at your own pace.
The Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum is the centerpiece, with a soaring dome and impressive symmetry that dominate the skyline. Wander farther out and you’ll come across mudbrick structures like the Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala, which resemble sandcastles rising from the earth.
What makes Merv so special is its untouched feel. You won’t find gift shops or fences, just wide-open space and echoes of the past. History lovers will appreciate how raw and unfiltered the site is. It’s a powerful reminder of Central Asia’s influence and a highlight for anyone exploring beyond the usual tourist path.
10. Kutlug Timur Minaret
- 📍 Location: Konye-Urgench, Dashoguz
- 🏆 Best For: 🧱 Architecture fans, 📚 history lovers, 📸 monument photographers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Seeing the 60-meter tall minaret up close, exploring nearby mausoleums, capturing sunset views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June for mild temperatures and golden hour lighting 🌅
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Uzboy – Modest stay near Dashoguz with easy access to Konye-Urgench
Rising sharply from the flat desert, the Kutlug Timur Minaret is one of Turkmenistan’s most iconic landmarks. At nearly 60 meters tall, it’s among the tallest minarets in Central Asia and dates back to the 11th or 12th century. The detailed brickwork patterns are still visible and make this a dream spot for architecture buffs.
The minaret is part of the Konye-Urgench historical complex, which includes tombs, ruins, and religious buildings that reflect centuries of Islamic culture and craftsmanship. Unlike more commercial heritage sites, this area is largely undeveloped, letting you walk freely between structures.
Photographers love the way the minaret catches light throughout the day. If you time your visit during sunset, you’ll see it bathed in golden hues that contrast beautifully with the blue sky. It’s a short visit but one that leaves a deep impression, especially for those drawn to ancient Islamic architecture.
11. Repetek Biosphere Reserve
- 📍 Location: Southeastern Karakum Desert, Lebap
- 🏆 Best For: 🐦 Birdwatchers, 🌵 desert lovers, 🔬 science enthusiasts
- 📸 Top Experiences: Spotting desert wildlife, visiting the research station, exploring rare vegetation
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: November to March for cooler temperatures and easier trekking 🏜️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Mary – Basic accommodation with guided desert excursions available from the city
Repetek Biosphere Reserve offers a raw glimpse into Turkmenistan’s desert ecosystem. Located in the Karakum Desert, it’s home to unique plant life like saksaul trees and rare animals including desert monitor lizards and sand gazelles. You’ll also find over 200 species of birds, making it a standout for birdwatchers.
The site is managed in partnership with UNESCO, and there’s a functioning research station that monitors climate and desertification trends. While access is restricted in some zones, guided visits give you a chance to see how science and conservation intersect in one of the world’s most arid environments.
This isn’t your typical nature reserve. Repetek is more about quiet observation than big tourist activities, and that’s what makes it special. You can walk through the sand, take in the silence, and get a better understanding of how life survives in such extreme conditions.
12. Köýtendag Nature Reserve
- 📍 Location: Köýtendag Range, southeastern Lebap
- 🏆 Best For: 🏞️ Hikers, 🦕 fossil hunters, 🧗 adventure seekers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Dinosaur Plateau, trekking through mountain trails, discovering caves and waterfalls
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October for dry weather and trail accessibility ⛰️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Jeyhun Hotel – Comfortable mid-range hotel
Köýtendag Nature Reserve is a massive wilderness area in southeastern Turkmenistan filled with jagged peaks, canyons, and natural caves. It’s best known for the Dinosaur Plateau, where hundreds of fossilized footprints are stamped into the rock. Standing there, you get a real sense of Earth’s deep past.
The area is also rich in biodiversity. Wildlife like ibex and snow leopards live here, although sightings are rare. Hikers will love the variety of terrain, from alpine meadows to steep limestone cliffs, while geology fans can explore underground lakes and dripping caverns.
This is one of the most remote parts of the country, so getting there usually requires a guided tour. But the effort pays off with untouched nature and pure mountain air. Köýtendag offers a different side of Turkmenistan, one focused on wilderness rather than monuments or cities.
