Edirne Travel Notes

When you step into Edirne, you feel like you've entered a city where history and the present intertwine, where a deep-rooted past permeates every corner. These lands, which have served as the capital of empires for centuries, bear the traces of the Ottoman Empire with their magnificent mosques and stone bridges, while enchanting visitors with their natural beauty. As you wander its streets, the magnificent minarets of Selimiye adorn your horizon, accompanied by the cool breeze of the Meric River. Edirne is one of Turkey's most special cities, appealing both to history buffs and those seeking a peaceful exploration.

What to Do in Edirne? 

When you visit this city steeped in history, you should take walks in the streets and historical bazaars of Edirne. You can explore many bridges, fountains, and small bazaars where you can take plenty of photographs.

You can visit the historical and wooden houses of Edirne. You can shop at the famous and historical Ali Paşa Covered Bazaar in Edirne.

You can visit the famous work of Mimar Sinan, the Selimiye Mosque, and many other mosques dating back to the Ottoman period in the city. You can also visit churches and synagogues. You can visit the museums located in the center of Edirne. You can see the ancient city of Enez and Dolmens. You can visit the Gala Lake Nature Park, which is under protection.

You can take a walk, ride a bicycle, and take photographs along the Meriç River. You can watch the world-famous Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling, which was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2010 and held every last week of June.

You can participate in the Kakava Festivals held in May. Hıdırellez is celebrated in Thrace with these festivals. You can observe birds in the Meriç Delta. You can camp in the forests of Edirne.

Places to Visit in Edirne

Having served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire for years and once being one of the largest cities in Europe, Edirne boasts many places that you should see and explore. First and foremost, you should wander through the streets and historic bazaars of Edirne. The mystical atmosphere of Edirne's streets, steeped in history, will enchant you.

From the courtyard to the tiles inside, the atmosphere and structure of the Selimiye Mosque, which Mimar Sinan described as his "masterpiece," are quite mesmerizing. The mosque's architecture holds various hidden messages. While the single-domed mosque symbolizes the unity of Allah, the five-tiered windows represent the five pillars of Islam, and the four sermon pulpits symbolize the four different sects in Islam.

Apart from the Selimiye Mosque, there are many other mosques in Edirne that you can visit, such as Üç Şerefeli Mosque, Muradiye Mosque, Eski Mosque, II. Beyazıt Mosque and Complex, Sokullu Mosque, and Fatih Mosque.

You can also visit the Church of St. George and the Jewish Synagogue. Explore the historic caravanserais, bridges, and bazaars of Edirne.

You can visit Gala Lake Nature Park, which is under protection in Edirne. You can also go to the beaches of Edirne, located on the Aegean Sea.

You can visit the Edirne Palace, built by Murat I. You can also visit the Edirne Museum, the Museum of Turkish Islamic Works of Art, and the Edirne Archaeology and Ethnography Museum. Explore the wooden and historic Edirne Houses that you can see in almost every street in the center of Edirne. You can also see the Meriç River, one of the largest rivers in the Balkans.

Şükrü Paşa Monument and Balkan Wars Museum: During the Balkan Wars, Şükrü Paşa defended Edirne against Bulgarian and Serbian attacks for more than 5 months, showing outstanding resistance. Şükrü Paşa Monument is where the body of Mehmet Şükrü Paşa is located, but it is more of a monument. Behind it is Kıyık Tabya. These structures, which witnessed the defense, are now used as the Balkan Wars Museum. You can reach the IV. Mehmet Av Köşkü, built in the 17th century, by entering from the park behind the oil wrestling area. The Av Köşkü has a resting room. Inside, there are sedirs (low sofas) that we also know from the Topkapı Palace. It's a place where the Sultan rested on hunting days. Nowadays, its surroundings are mostly used as a tea garden and for various events. The pavilion stands there, surrounded by mostly tea gardens and areas used for various events.

Meriç Bridge: The Meriç Bridge is one of the historically significant bridges that connects Karaağaç with Edirne over the Meriç River. In the evenings, you can watch the sunset over the river from the bridge. There is also a seating area in the middle of the bridge, which was built for the sultan to watch the sunset.

Bulgarian Church: Established in 1880, Sv. Georgi is a small Orthodox church located in the Kıyık neighborhood of Edirne. Since its establishment, members of the same family have been serving as priests. Restored by the governorship, the church is open for both worship and visits.

Great Synagogue: Throughout history, Edirne has been a city where people of different religions lived together with tolerance for centuries. Like Muslims, Christians and Jews also built their own religious structures, some of which have survived to the present day despite various losses and restorations. The Edirne Great Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe and the third largest in the world, is the most magnificent of these structures. Since there is not enough congregation in the city, the Edirne Great Synagogue is used for worship on special occasions by people coming from larger cities like Istanbul. Open to the public, the synagogue occasionally hosts cultural and artistic activities.

Tunca Bridge: Compared to the Meriç Bridge, the Tunca Bridge, located on the Edirne side, spans the Tunca River. The cobblestones on the bridge were laid during the visit of Sultan Reşat to Edirne, and they are the original stones.

Karaağaç: Karaağaç is a neighborhood located about 5 kilometers southwest of Edirne's city center. Reached after crossing the Tunca and Meriç Bridges, Karaağaç has a unique architecture, nature, and human texture due to its relatively remote location from the city. In this sense, Karaağaç is seen by the people of Edirne as a retreat and an escape point, offering a village-like atmosphere. Trakya University students are also frequently encountered in this area.

Karaağaç Train Station: The train station located in the Karaağaç town was built during the reign of Abdulhamid II. Restored to its original form under the leadership of Trakya University, Karaağaç Train Station has been serving as the Rectorate Building since 1998. The station, open to visitors, attracts the attention of both adults and children who enjoy exploring and taking photos between the trains and rails.

Sweti George Kilisesi ve Yahudi Havrası

Where to Eat in Edirne?

Edirne reflects its rich culture in its cuisine, which it has carried from history to the present. Nowadays, Edirne cuisine is a blend of various cultures from the Ottoman Empire, Greece, and Bulgaria, resulting in a delicious culinary experience.

1. One of the most famous dishes of Edirne cuisine is liver fried in a pan, also known as "Edirne leaf liver". You can taste the most delicious liver fried in a pan in Edirne. Another must-try dish is "elbasan tava". In addition to these two wonderful flavors, some of the local specialties of Edirne include "tarhana", "almond paste", "liver wrap", "akıtma", "hardaliye", "saddle kebab", "meatball stuffed lettuce", "katmerli chard pie", "chickpea bread", "meat-filled candle dumplings", "Rumelian delight", "Rumelian tripe soup", "mamzana", "heroes halva", "belmuş", "cheese dessert", "starch halva", and "bulgur pastry". If you have the opportunity, we recommend trying most of them.
2. In addition to local delicacies, you can also find freshwater and sea fish in Edirne. You can enjoy seasonal fish in a nice fish restaurant if you wish.
3. In the center of Edirne, you can also find fast food restaurants, cafes, grilled meat products, pide, kebab, lahmacun, and other dishes.
4. Edirne Liver Fried in a Pan: Of course, the answer to what is famous in Edirne. Liver fried in a pan has many fans. It is reasonable to eat it with the spicy sauce, spices, and onion salad that come with it. If you ask where to eat liver fried in a pan in Edirne, the most famous and touristic one is Aydın Liver Fried in a Pan, which always has a queue in front of it. The second most famous is considered to be Livercchi Niyazi Master, which is quite satisfying with its generous portion and service. Lastly, we recommend Livercchi Kazım.
5. Mutancana and Zirva: These dishes, which date back to the Ottoman era, bring together meat and fruits, and are important products of the Palace kitchen.
6. Hayrabolu Dessert: Nowadays, this simple yet delicious dessert, garnished with tahini, can be considered the larger version of the Kemalpaşa dessert from Izmir.
7. Karaağaç Breakfast Places: Edirne's most famous breakfast places are lined up in Karaağaç. In the area where the Lozan Monument and the historic train are located, there are many breakfast places lined up. Ayçiçeği is open 24 hours.
8. Balkan Restaurant: This artisanal restaurant on Saraçlar Street is really bursting with flavor! The fried chicken and yogurt are highly recommended, and if you come across "ciğer sarma" (liver wrap), be sure to try it.
9. Köfteci Osman: Friendly and fast service! There's no need to talk about the food. After all, it's the master of köfte for years, and it's possible to cook not only köfte but also the liver, which is the emblem of Edirne, with the best cooking technique. I highly recommend it.
10. Vargo Restaurant: Edirne's luxurious venue with a panoramic view. Vargo, offering products from world cuisine, is prominently featured in Edirne guides. It's great to have such a place in Edirne. The view, menu, and service are quite successful. A must-visit...
11. Tatlıcı Keçecizade: The Kavala and almond paste were magnificent... Keçecizade is one of the leading sweet shops and pastry shops in Edirne, also famous for its products sold at roadside stops. Of course, we shouldn't forget "Hardaliye" (a local beverage made with grape juice and mustard).
12. Arslanzade: When it comes to Edirne, the almond paste and famous "deva-i misk" halva unique to our city come to mind alongside the Selimiye Mosque. When asking who the master of this is in Edirne, Arslanzade 4th Branch Should Be Preferred :)

What to Buy from Edirne?

The Historical Ali Paşa Covered Bazaar in Edirne is one of the most suitable places for shopping. Here, you can find all kinds of musk soaps. From musk soap from the Selimiye Arasta to Edirne cheese, cheese dessert, and almond paste, you can buy many different flavors. You can also buy cheese sugar.

You can find handmade products, decorative items, souvenirs, and jewelry, as well as Edirne-specific figurines in the market and stores. You can buy clothes, textile products, and embroidered lace covers.

Hang Out on Saraçlar Street: Saraçlar, Edirne's must-visit street, has truly brought a western, magnificent promenade to the city. It's great for strolling, shopping, and a little eating and drinking.

Edirne Festivals 

1. Historical Kırkpınar Wrestling Festival: One of the symbols of Edirne, the Historical Kırkpınar Wrestling Festival is a unique sporting event that attracts both local and foreign visitors with its centuries-old tradition and excitement.
2. The Kakava Hıdırellez Festival is celebrated every year on May 5-6. Concerts, music entertainment, dance performances, and competitions are organized on Edirne's Saraçlar Street, while other events take place in the Er Meydanı area, where the Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival is also held. The burning of the Kakava Fire, which is believed to increase fertility and share friendship and joy, and the serving of pilaf take place on May 5 in the Er Meydanı area. The “Entrance to Spring” ritual, which welcomes the awakening of nature with spring and aims at personal purification, takes place on May 6 at 6:00 a.m. on the banks of the Tunca River.
3. Edirne Clarinet Festival: Organized by the Edirne Municipality in memory of the Edirne clarinet master Deli Selim, this clarinet festival is, of course, the first of its kind in the world. A young initiative that has been held since 2012, the festival brings local and foreign clarinet masters to the city and offers music and dance excitement.
4. Edirne Band and Liver Festival: Approximately 1 ton of the famous Edirne Tava Liver is distributed free of charge to the public in the fairgrounds set up on Saraçlar Street. while the Edirne Municipal Band, along with band groups from neighboring countries such as Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, play folk music throughout the day, offering endless music and pan-fried liver to the people of Edirne and their guests. The festival is organized by the Edirne Municipality and its date changes each year depending on weather conditions. We can say that it is held more or less in April-May.

Where to Stay in Edirne?

The Rest Port Hotel: Located 24 km from the Ardas River in Edirne, The Rest Port Hotel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant. All accommodation units at this 4-star hotel feature city views and free WiFi access.

Westdoor Hotel: Located 22 km from the Ardas River in Edirne, WestDoor Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, and a bar. This 4-star hotel features free WiFi access, room service, and a 24-hour front desk.

 The Rest Port Hotel

For accommodation recommendations, check out our Edirne Hotels page.