Holiday in Ashgabat
City in Turkmenistan — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
Turkmenistan
Type
City
Best time to travel
March to May and September to November (20-30 °C). Summer unbearably hot (up to 50 °C). Winter cold and dry.
Budget/day
60-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Ashgabat (ASB, approx. 6-9 h with a layover in Istanbul or Dubai). Visa required (LOI + Visa on Arrival, complicated).
Deals for Ashgabat:
What makes Ashgabat special as a destination?
Ashgabat is probably the most surreal capital in the world — a city made of white marble in the middle of the Karakum Desert. The Turkmen capital holds the Guinness World Record for the highest density of white marble buildings and offers a skyline reminiscent of science fiction: golden domes, giant monuments, futuristic skyscrapers, and wide, deserted boulevards. The Neutrality Arch with its golden Turkmenbashi statue (which once rotated with the sun), the Wedding Palace building in the shape of an eight-pointed star, and the Alem Entertainment Center (the largest indoor Ferris wheel in the world) are just a few of the architectural curiosities. Despite its futuristic facade, Ashgabat preserves its Turkmen heritage: The Tolkuchka Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia, sells Turkmen carpets (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage), silk garments, and camel milk products. The National Museum showcases ancient artifacts from nearby Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage), the old capital of the Parthians. The Darvaza Gas Crater (the Door to Hell), a natural gas field that has been burning since 1971 in the desert, is located 270 km to the north and is the most spectacular day trip — a blazing hole in the desert that glows surreal at night.
What are the top highlights in Ashgabat?
The top highlights in Ashgabat include White Marble Skyline, Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell), Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage), Tolkuchka Bazaar, Alem Entertainment Center.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
White Marble Skyline
Guinness World Record: the highest density of white marble buildings in the world — an entire city shines in the desert sun.
Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell)
Burning natural gas hole in the Karakum Desert since 1971: 270 km north, a spectacular glow at night — unique in the world.
Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage)
Ruins of the old capital of the Parthians 18 km west: 2,000-year-old fortifications and ivory rhyta in the National Museum.
Tolkuchka Bazaar
Central Asia's largest market on Sundays: Turkmen carpets, silk garments, camel milk, and jewelry — an experience.
Alem Entertainment Center
The largest indoor Ferris wheel in the world (Guinness Record): panoramic view over the marble city and the desert.
Hotels in Ashgabat
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Reise-SIM für Ashgabat
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Ashgabat?
The best time to visit Ashgabat is March to May and September to November (20-30 °C). Summer unbearably hot (up to 50 °C). Winter cold and dry.. 35-50 °C, extremely hot and dry, desert climate In winter: 0-10 °C, cold and dry, occasional snow
Recommended travel time
March to May and September to November (20-30 °C). Summer unbearably hot (up to 50 °C). Winter cold and dry.
Summer
35-50 °C, extremely hot and dry, desert climate
Winter
0-10 °C, cold and dry, occasional snow
How much does a holiday in Ashgabat cost?
Budget travellers: 30-50 €/day, mid-range: 60-120 €/day, luxury: 150-350 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-50 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-350 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Ashgabat?
Flight to Ashgabat (ASB, approx. 6-9 h with a layover in Istanbul or Dubai). Visa required (LOI + Visa on Arrival, complicated).
Book a package holiday to Ashgabat
Compare thousands of package holidays to Ashgabat and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Ashgabat?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Visa is complicated — Turkmenistan issues only a limited number of visas. Letter of Invitation (LOI) through an agency required, approx. 2-4 weeks lead time.
Photograph carefully — do not photograph government buildings, military, and police. Ask beforehand if unsure.
Manat not exchangeable — Turkmen manat cannot be exchanged abroad. Bring USD and exchange locally.
Darvaza with tour — the gas crater can only be reached by organized tour or off-road vehicle. Overnight camping at the crater's edge is unforgettable.
Sunday at Tolkuchka Bazaar — the biggest market day; Turkmen carpets are authentic and inexpensive here.
What should you eat in Ashgabat?
Typical specialities in Ashgabat: Plov — Central Asian rice pilaf with lamb, carrots, and raisins: Turkmenistan's festive dish, seasoned differently in every household., Shashlyk — lamb skewers grilled over charcoal: available at every street stand, served with raw onions and flatbread., Manty — large steamed dumplings with lamb and pumpkin: a Central Asian classic, served with yogurt., Dograma — torn bread in lamb broth with onions: a traditional Turkmen dish, simple but satisfying., Chal — fermented camel milk: sour and fizzy, a Turkmen cultural drink — an acquired taste..
These specialties you must try!
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