Turkmenistan attracts explorers with wild desert scenes, old caravan stop remains, or a shiny marble city that looks lifted from a futuristic flick. Some great things to do in Turkmenistan are skipping the usual path and journey through the timeless fire at Darvaza, or wandering through Merv’s sprawling past instead.
This corner of Central Asia mixes odd contemporary builds and great landscapes, while holding tight to tradition. By 2025, simpler entry laws opened opportunities for travellers to set their sights on.
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Shahzeb Shaikh, founder of SimCorner, says, “Turkmenistan feels unique, a place where vast deserts, quiet towns, and ancient history make you feel far from the modern world.” Keep linked up using our eSIMs to post your best travel moments.
So, Turkmenistan offers chill hangouts, secret favourites, smart travel tips, and ways to keep connected, perfect for making your trip one of the coolest escapes in a while.
Darvaza Gas Crater: The Door to Hell
Visiting the Darvaza Gas Crater is one of the most dramatic things to do in Turkmenistan. It’s a 70-meter-wide, constantly on fire, deep in the Karakum Desert since 1971. That year, Soviet geologists lit up a massive gas vent; today, it still flames like a never-dying beacon.
When darkness falls, countless flames jump and twist, turning the place into something out of a dream. Try staying overnight in old yurts close by, where you can stare at the blaze beneath endless stars. It’s quiet, wide open, peaceful, the kind of moment you remember, making it one of the best Turkmenistan tourist attractions.
Reaching Darvaza involves taking a 4x4 out of Ashgabat, about five hours through wide-open parts of the Karakum. With zero marked paths or safety rails, along with strict permit limits, hiring a local guide is essential.
Ashgabat: The White Marble Capital
Exploring Ashgabat is among the most unusual things to do in Turkmenistan. Rising fresh after a devastating 1948 quake, this revamped urban hub flaunts wild sights like the Neutrality Tower alongside a massive 10-level statue celebrating Akhal-Teke horses. Walk through Independence Park to spot the deafening 118-meter spire and a sculpted Ruhnama tome, both stand loud as emblems of identity.
Check out the Russian Bazaar if you want to try chorba soup along with gutab flatbreads, or hop on the biggest indoor Ferris wheel at Alem Centre.
As night falls, strolls show off the city’s strange quietness, thanks to rules about car colours and wide streets. People often rank Ashgabat first among Turkmenistan spots because it mixes flashiness with weird charm.
Ancient Merv: UNESCO Silk Road Legacy
Walking through Ancient Merv is one of the most meaningful things to do in Turkmenistan. It’s a quiet spot covered by 1,500 hectares, used to be the biggest city on Earth; today it’s a UNESCO place packed with 2,500 years of stories.
You’ll find old remains like the Erk-Kala fort, the tomb of Sultan Sanjar, and also stretches of ancient walls that saw Mongol armies roll through.
Experts from Turkmenistan’s national museum say Merv was once central for both Zoroastrian rituals and Muslim life, while pieces dug up there sit now in display cases over in Mary city.
Day trips out of Mary take you on guided strolls around ancient ruins, where detailed mosaics meet massive fortress walls. A top stop in Turkmenistan, it digs deep into Silk Road history, way beyond basic tours. Pair your visit with a trip to Repetek Reserve to catch desert animals in action.
Yangikala Canyon: Fire Fortress Views
Visiting the Yangikala Canyon ranks high among adventurous things to do in Turkmenistan, with tall 100-meter walls painted in red, white, and orange, left behind by old ocean floors.
Sitting about 160 km out from Turkmenbashi, walking trails show off limestone layers shaped slowly by weather over thousands of years. When the sun drops, the views light up like flames, creating a wild scene that can stand next to the Grand Canyon’s intensity.
Camping here drops you into solitude. Suvchilik’s mud volcanoes mix things up with wild terrain. This place ranks high among Turkmenistan’s destinations, pulling trekkers after quiet paths. Reachable by 4WD from the Caspian shore, perfect for extended routes.
Kunya-Urgench: Medieval Minaret Marvels
Checking out Visiting Kunya-Urgench is one of the most culturally rich things to do in Turkmenistan. Here, a massive 60-meter minaret stands beside a mausoleum from the 1300s. Rivers shifted over time, so people moved away; even now, crumbling ruins tell stories of the ancient Khwarezm realm.
Experts geek out over its intricate brick patterns that cling to stones weathered by time. For travellers chasing Islamic design across Turkmen soil, this spot just makes sense. Guided trips out of Dashoguz show strong Sufi roots; visit the tomb of Soltan Tekesh while you're there.
Combine these visits with nearby border points if planning longer travels along ancient trade paths; just make sure your visa includes that eastern zone.
Old Nisa: Parthian Fortress Ruins
Old Nisa offers one of the most authentic things to do in Turkmenistan. Once a key Parthian city close to Ashgabat, it is surrounded by thick 9-meter-high walls that held royal homes built around 200 BCE.
Digging work led by local Turkmen teams has uncovered items from the time of Alexander, like old wine storage rooms alongside temple ruins. Instead of flashy terms or hype, just picture real pieces of daily life back then. For anyone curious about ancient times, this site gives a clear glimpse into what came before.
On short walks, you’ll spot old red-brick bases; meanwhile, Ashgabat’s museums show what they were like back then. This place beats glitzy spots because it feels real, especially for visitors checking out Turkmenistan.
Akhal-Teke Horses and Hippodrome
Experiencing Akhal-Teke horses is among the most iconic Things to do in Turkmenistan, as these animals are deeply tied to national identity. Turkmenistan treats Akhal-Teke horses like sacred treasures. Head to Ashgabat’s racetrack on Sundays for speed shows, or try riding one at a breeding farm nearby. These tough animals helped shape desert tribes long ago, as seen in displays at the Carpet Museum.
Practical activities involve brushing animals, ideal if you're exploring Turkmenistan outside ancient sites. That tradition boosts its standout spots across rankings.
Kow-Ata Cave and Underground Lake
Soaking in Kow-Ata Cave is one of the most relaxing things to do in Turkmenistan. Kow-Ata, located 90 kilometres west of Ashgabat, holds a steaming cave with warm water that stays around 37°C all year, about 60 meters down. Soak in the mineral-rich pool surrounded by hanging rock formations; people from nearby villages often visit for health reasons.
With bats fluttering through foggy air, the place feels mysterious, almost like an ancient wellness spot shaped by nature itself. Simple to reach, so families often pick it when exploring Turkmenistan. Thanks to its healing sulphur qualities, locals have valued this spot for generations through Baharden customs.
Dinosaur Plateau and Kugitang Park
Exploring the Dinosaur Plateau is one of the most fascinating things to do in Turkmenistan, with thousands of preserved Jurassic footprints spread across open rock surfaces.
Eastern Turkmenistan’s Dinosaur Plateau holds around 3,000 Jurassic-era tracks. Megalosaur and iguanodon prints spread over wide rock surfaces like giant outdoor arenas.
Over in Kugitang National Park, you’ll find bubbling sulphur springs along with trail walks; it’s looked after by government-backed rangers. The ancient feel here hits hard; not just old, but massive in scope.
Lake Altyn Asyr: Desert Oasis Marvel
Seeing Lake Altyn Asyr is among the most surprising things to do in Turkmenistan, as this massive man-made lake stretches across the Karakum Desert.
Lake Altyn Asyr is the biggest human-made lake on Earth. Built right into the Karakum Desert to help farms grow and cool things down nearby. It covers more than 2,000 square km; its calm blue surface stands out hard against dry desert sand, making it a prime spot for snapping pictures.
You can drift across by boat or wander along the edge when you need quiet time. Bird spotting keeps the experience even better. This big project, built not long ago, helps farms grow cotton plus keeps fishing going, so it pulls in nature lovers too. Go there when it’s less hot to see things more clearly, mix that with road trips across sandy areas, and get the real taste of Turkmenistan’s top spots.
Kyrk Gyz Cave: Mystical Stalactite Grotto
Visiting Kyrk Gyz Cave is one of the most mysterious Things to do in Turkmenistan, featuring glittering stalactites and legends of the “Forty Girls.”
Tucked away in southeast Turkmenistan, close to where Uzbekistan and Afghanistan meet, lies Kyrk Gyz Cave. A huge underground space lined with glittering hanging rock spikes.
Locals refer to it as the "Forty Girls" cave because of old tales about concealed young women from ancient times. Step down into its chilly interior, then feel an ageless kind of awe as sunlight sneaks in through the opening above. Hiking there brings views of lush valleys. Perfect for travellers chasing hidden spots in Turkmenistan. Combine it with trips to Kugitang if rocks and cliffs spark your curiosity.
Saparmurat Hajji Mosque: Grand Spiritual Site
The Saparmurat Hajji Mosque stands as one of the most impressive things to do in Turkmenistan, with Central Asia’s largest dome and space for 10,000 worshippers.
It has the largest dome across Central Asia, 52 meters, masterfully crafted entirely from fine white marble. Holding as many as 10,000 worshippers, its interior glows with gold accents alongside intricate tilework rooted deeply in Islamic heritage. Visitors who aren't Muslim can also come by appointment, getting a real feel for local customs.
Nearby green spaces, along with the tomb nearby, offer quiet corners to unwind. This sleek attraction fits well into trips around Ashgabat, ranked high on any Turkmenistan travel list.
Turkmenbashi and Caspian Coast
Relaxing along the Caspian coast is one of the most laid-back things to do in Turkmenistan, with beaches, markets, and modern resorts in Awaza.
Turkmenbashi sits beside the Caspian with wide stretches of sand. Wander around markets where people swap wares from all walks of life, whereas Awaza offers modern spots to rest your head. Rather than lying still, catch a boat heading toward Azerbaijan - or watch seals dart close to land.
Just nearby sits the Kipchak Mosque, boasting Central Asia’s largest dome, while also housing Turkmenbashi's burial place. The light-colored sands of Avaza provide quiet relaxation close to key sites in Turkmenistan, though they’re gentle, hushed, wherever you step.
Practical Travel Tips for 2026
Turkmenistan requires entry through approved tour operators, though some travellers might see looser rules by 2026. Start the process ahead of time using licensed agents. So, planning is essential for anyone exploring the things to do in Turkmenistan, as entry requires licensed tour operators and advance permits.
Set aside around $50 to $100 each day to cover guide fees, access passes, plus lodging; only physical money accepted, either U.S. dollars or local Manat.
Ideal times are spring months like March to May, or fall stretches from September into November, when the weather isn’t too harsh. Planes arrive in Ashgabat; for local travel, you’ll want a sturdy off-road vehicle. When it comes to snapping pics of authorities, just don’t, rules are strict. Staying healthy means drinking plenty of water, especially out in the dry heat.
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Turkmenistan: FAQs
What’s worth checking out in Turkmenistan?
The coolest activities in Turkmenistan? Staring into the Darvaza Gas Crater is also worth checking out, as well as Ashgabat’s shiny marble buildings. Instead of skipping around, take time wandering through Merv’s old stone remains, recognised by UNESCO. For outdoor thrills, tackle Yangikala Canyon on foot because it’s rugged but real.
Is Turkmenistan a good idea for travellers by 2026?
True, visiting Turkmenistan in 2026 is still secure for travellers. Guided trips are required, crimes happen rarely, while simpler visa steps make entry smoother. Follow planned routes, obey laws such as bans on photographing government buildings, and keep money handy. Medical dangers stay low except in scorching weather; get ready properly so your trip stays stress-free.
How do I get a visa for Turkmenistan?
Get a Turkmenistan visa using an LOI from travel agents, followed by embassy steps, with easier rules in 2026 help certain nationalities. Tour packages often include access to spots such as the Darvaza Gas Crater. Start the process 4 to 8 weeks early; expect fees between $50 and $150. Visit the U.S. State Department site for fresh details so your dream trip runs without hiccups
When should you go to see Turkmenistan sights?
Spring brings soft skies to Turkmenistan’s gorges and holes in the ground. Try visiting between March and May. Fall, from September onward into November, gives calm temps. Summer turns sandy zones blazing hot, while winter makes urban spots feel sharp with cold. Hit the road during horse celebrations if you want a real taste of local life. That way, trekking stays pleasant no matter the season, plus hiring a Turkmenistan travel guide just works better.
Do I need an eSIM or SIM card for Turkmenistan travel?
Yep, using an eSIM in Turkmenistan gives you 4G access in Ashgabat, plus a spotty signal out in the desert, handy for maps or sending updates. Instead of grabbing a regular SIM at the airport, you can set up an eSIM before landing. With SimCorner deals, you skip those high roaming charges while checking off spots from your Turkmenistan travel list.
