Van and Doğubayazıt Guide: Akdamar Island and İshak Pasha Palace
Van and Doğubayazıt sit in Turkey's far east, where Lake Van's shoreline meets the foothills of Mount Ararat. The Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island, the Urartian ruins of Van Fortress, the region's famous elaborate breakfast, and the odd-eyed Van cats all draw travelers here. In Doğubayazıt, İshak Pasha Palace and Muradiye Waterfall round out the route.
## Lake Van and the Armenian Church on Akdamar Island
Lake Van is Turkey's largest lake, its soda-alkaline waters framed by a ring of mountains and lakeside settlements. Akdamar Island, reached by boat, is home to the best-known structure in the area: the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross (Surp Haç), built under Gagik I, king of Vaspurakan. The church's exterior walls carry carved relief panels depicting biblical scenes and figures, widely considered the site's most distinctive feature. The island itself is a quiet stop in the middle of the lake, typically visited on a short boat crossing from the mainland.
## What to See at Van Fortress and Old Van?
Van Fortress rises on a long rocky ridge close to the lakeshore and is linked to Tushpa, the ancient name of the city, from the Urartian period. Walking along the ridge gives views over both Lake Van and the plain below. At the foot of the fortress lies Old Van, a settlement largely destroyed in the upheavals of the early 20th century; today it is visited mainly as a field of wall fragments and building foundations. The site sits a few kilometers west of the modern Van city center.
## Van Cats and the Van Breakfast Tradition
Van cats are known for their white coats and, in many individuals, two eyes of different colors; they are closely associated with the region, which is also home to a research center dedicated to the breed. They have a local reputation for being unusually comfortable in water. The Van breakfast (Van kahvaltısı) is one of the city's best-known cultural experiences: a long, shared morning spread bringing together items such as otlu peynir (herbed cheese), kaymak (clotted cream), honey, kavut, and murtuğa. Van's center has numerous venues built specifically around this breakfast tradition.
## İshak Pasha Palace and Views of Mount Ararat in Doğubayazıt
Doğubayazıt's best-known landmark is İshak Pasha Palace, set on a hillside above the town. Construction began in 1685 under Çolak Abdi Pasha, and the palace was completed in 1784 by İshak Pasha; the nearly century-long build resulted in a complex blending Ottoman, Seljuk, Georgian, Armenian, and Persian architectural influences. From the hill where the palace stands, Mount Ararat — Turkey's highest peak — is visible on clear days. On the road between Van and Doğubayazıt, Muradiye Waterfall, fed by snowmelt and especially strong in spring, is another stop worth adding to the route.
FAQ
How do you get to Akdamar Island?
Reaching Akdamar Island means taking a short boat crossing from one of the piers along Lake Van's southern shore, generally located a little outside Van's city center. The crossing itself is brief, and arriving visitors are met first by the 10th-century Church of the Holy Cross near the shoreline. Because boats run on a schedule with several departures through the day, it helps to check return times in advance and plan the visit around them. Since food and drink options on the island can be limited, bringing water and a light snack is a sensible precaution.
When was İshak Pasha Palace built?
Construction of İshak Pasha Palace began in 1685, in the late 17th century, under Çolak Abdi Pasha. The project was carried forward across generations and was only completed in 1784, by İshak Pasha, meaning the build stretched across roughly a century. That long timeline is part of why the palace blends Ottoman, Seljuk, Georgian, Armenian, and Persian architectural influences rather than reflecting a single style. Visitors touring the complex today can trace this layered history while walking through its courtyards and the separate selamlık and harem sections.