7 Best Tourist Attractions in Turkmenistan Which Will Amaze You

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Turkmenistan isn’t exactly the first place which comes to mind when you think of must-see destinations in Central Asia. Let’s be honest, who is really planning a vacation to Central Asia. But let me tell you, after visiting every country in the world, Turkmenistan continues to surprise me.

Turkmenistan shares borders with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Iran, while Azerbaijan sits just across the Caspian Sea. In case it isn’t yet clear, Turkmenistan sits at the crossroads of civilizations, the heart of the Silk Road. And as you’d expect from any great Silk Road country, Turkmenistan is full of ancient wonders.

But this isn’t the only reason I love Turkmenistan. In my opinion, the best thing about Turkmenistan is the combination of this ancient identity with modern marvels which are slightly… out of this world. Think a smattering of North Korea-style futurism, Soviet relics and some truly mind-blowing natural wonders and Turkmenistan is anything but any ordinary country.

Turkmenistan is one of the most closed countries on earth. To help you truly understand what’s hidden inside this gem of a country, here are my favorite tourist attractions in Turkmenistan.

Before You Go: Turkmenistan

You’re probably thinking: take me from the beginning, how do I even get to Turkmenistan?

After many years of taking tourists to Turkmenistan, we’re used to all types of questions about this mysterious country. To better address getting to and from Turkmenistan, visas and more, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know before visiting Turkmenistan.

7 best tourist attractions in Turkmenistan

1. The Gates of Hell

When I first heard the gas crater was nicknamed the “Gates of Hell” I may have rolled my eyes at this dramatic nickname. But after multiple visits, I truly can’t think of a better description. This is literally a gigantic flaming hole in the earth, right in the middle of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert. Standing on the edge of the Darvaza gas crater, you’ll quickly realize why this is one of the most surreal tourist attractions in Turkmenistan.

The Gates of Hell is one of those classic Soviet-science-experiments-gone-bad stories. Back in 1971, Soviet engineers were poking around for gas deposits in the Karakum Desert. Long story short, the Soviet drilling rig collapsed and subsequently released methane into the air. After a little bit of deliberation, the scientists decided to simply ‘burn off the gas.’ Fast forward 50+ years, and the fiery gas crater of Darvaza is the most popular tourist attraction in Turkmenistan.

As with many of the best tourist attractions in Turkmenistan, getting to Darvaza is half the adventure. No matter which direction you are coming from, you’ll enjoy a very bumpy drive through the desert. The best Turkmenistan tours will arrange simple yurt-style accommodation near the crater.

Make sure to time your visit for sunset at the crater. The fiery pit lights up the evening sky in an incredible array of colors.

It’s long been a rumor in the travel community that the Turkmenistan government will go through with their threats to put the crater out. In 2022, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (try saying that five times) announced that the government had finalized its plans to extinguish the crater, citing environmental and health concerns.

Yet, when Turkmenistan finally opened after Covid, the crater was still burning. At the time of writing, the Gates of Hell is still very much an eternal inferno.

2. Yangykala Canyon

Set in the remote western province of Balkan, Yangykala Canyon is easily the star natural tourist attraction in Turkmenistan. In my experience, reaching Yangykala is an attraction in itself. You’ll be driving through what feels like an endless extremely desolate desert and arid landscape. Small sand dunes, camels and almost no sign of life. And then it appears: rugged cliffs, multi-colored ridges and an almost Mars-like landscape (well, how I imagine Mars).

As a visitor to Yangykala, you have a few options. I personally prefer to go for the day and experience the viewpoints, but I’m not exactly a hiker. If you do want to get more immersed into the landscape, we can also arrange a multi-day camping trip in Yangykala.

3. Konye Urgench

Central Asia is synonymous with the famous cities of the Silk Road. Just across the border in Uzbekistan, the great cities of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva amaze travelers with their restored mosaic facades and sheer beauty.

However, in my opinion, to feel the Silk Road, it’s important you also visit sites which are less restored. Konye Urgench was once one of the great cities of the Silk Road – a hub for artists, poets, scientists and Islamic scholars. While the Mongols tragically razed much of the city to the ground, today unrestored and original mausoleums dot the landscape, as well as the iconic 60-metre high Minaret of Kutlug-Timor.

My favorite thing about Konye Urgench is that this isn’t just an archaeological site, but remains a vibrant, lived-in heritage site. Alongside the Silk Road mausoleums, you’ll find more modern mausoleums and important sites of pilgrimage for local Turkmen. You’ll find families on pilgrimage, hanging up prayer flags at the tombs of righteous elders. This is a truly rare interactive experience in one of the world’s most closed-off countries.

4. Ancient Merv

Turkmenistan is not shy of Silk Road sites. But in my opinion, nothing compares to Ancient Merv, the shining star of Turkmenistan’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Merv was once a major city on the Silk Road connecting Bukhara and Samarkand with the cities of Persia and beyond. In fact, at its peak, Merv was once one of the largest cities in the world! Today, much of Merv lies in ruins. But don’t worry, these are some extremely impressive ruins.

If you’ve only seen one photo of Merv, it’s probably of the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. This 12th-century architectural marvel somehow survived Genghis Khan’s onslaught and today is one of the best remaining sites of Merv.

As you step inside this huge structure, turn your head back and admire the remaining colors decorating the dome. If you’re lucky, some faithful locals will come past for a small prayer ceremony at the mausoleum.

Travel tip: I can’t emphasize this enough. There is literally no shade at the archaeological park. If you’re visiting during summer, bring a hat, sunscreen and triple whatever amount of water you normally carry.

5. Nokhur Graveyard

Nokhur might actually be one of my favorite towns to visit in Turkmenistan. It’s certainly not glitzy like Ashgabat or Mary, and there’s nothing to suggest this small town was once a part of the Soviet Union. Rather, the locked-in-time town of Nokhur is one of those rare towns which transports you to the glory of the Silk Road.

Within the tiny town of Nokhur hides one of the most unique and hauntingly beautiful tourist attractions in Turkmenistan. Now this isn’t just any old Silk Road graveyard (by now, you’ll have seen enough of them).

According to the ancient traditions of Nokhur, the Nokhuri people decorate the tombstones in their graveyard with the horns of mountain goats. They claim these horns guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife.

While you’re in Nokhur, don’t miss out on the Nokhur bazaar. This small market is one of my favorite spots to purchase fresh tea leaves and taste some of the unique traditional food of Turkmenistan. Better yet, keep an eye open for some of the truly addictive desserts of Turkmenistan.

6. Nisa Fortress

Just outside Ashgabat lies the magnificent Nisa Fortress. In many ways, there couldn’t be a greater juxtaposition: the ancient fortress up against the glitzy face of modern, wealthy Turkmenistan.

Nisa isn’t just another Silk Road fortress. This small archaeological site was actually an ancient stronghold of the Parthian Empire. Dating back to the 3rd century B.C.E., these ruins once housed royal palaces, towering mud-brick walls, and countless hidden treasures. The site may appear large, but the wildest part is that most of Nisa still hasn’t been excavated! But even among the ruins of the fortress, you can literally feel the site come to life around you.

Don’t miss out on climbing the outer wall. You’ll find this at the back of the archaeological complex – pretty much as far as you can go within the ticketed site. From the top of the wall, you’ll get a great view over the fortress, the neighboring village and shiny Ashgabat in the distance.

7. The quirky monuments of Ashgabat

From rotating gold statues to indoor ferris wheels, Ashgabat is known for its larger-than-life monuments. The first president of independent Turkmenistan – Turkmenbashy (or ‘Father of the Turkmen’) loved the Guinness Book of World Records and made sure that Ashgabat hit a number of global records. In my opinion, no trip to Turkmenistan is complete without experiencing the quirky monuments of Ashgabat.

For a complete rundown of which monuments are a must-see on any Turkmenistan trip, don’t miss our ultimate guide to the tourist attractions of Ashgabat.

Want to visit Turkmenistan?

We have years of experience in organizing group and private tours to Turkmenistan alongside our Fiery Hearts tour agency. For more information on joining a tour to Turkmenistan, contact us with your dates and we will put together an ideal itinerary featuring the quirkiest tourist attractions in Turkmenistan.

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