The 5 most beautiful cities of Turkmenistan

The mountains of Turkmenistan are home to the Pamir Range, one of the highest mountain ranges in the world, and attract adventurous travelers who want to drive the M-41 or Pamir Highway - an impressive road and architectural masterpiece that runs through some of the most remote and beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. Central Asia leads. Along the road, historically, many important and worth seeing towns have emerged, which you should definitely also look at, if you can use a day off from all the hiking.

Ashgabat: The white capital

The oasis city located in the Karakum presents itself with its wide boulevards and shiny white buildings, which were built only after the end of the Soviet era. Therefore, many buildings in the city are still quite young, but the old traditions of the Turkmen are still present everywhere. 

Stroll the sprawling boulevards, wide green spaces and imposing white marble buildings. The popular Wedding Palace, adorned with eight-pointed stars, dominates the cityscape. Also not to be overlooked is the Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque. 

If you want to enjoy a view over the whole city, you can climb a golden tower with an observation deck. During a visit to Ashgabat, a visit to the Carpet Museum should not be missed. It houses the world's largest collection of Turkmen carpets, with the collection including not only more than a thousand examples from the 18th and 19th centuries, but also rarities from the Middle Ages. The largest hand-knotted carpet in the world, covering an area of more than 300 m², can also be admired here.

Nisa: The world cultural heritage

Not far from the capital, you can visit the Ruined city of Nisa discover. Since 2007, this historically significant town has been allowed to call itself UNESCO World Heritage Site Name. Get ready to travel back in time when you visit Nisa and immerse yourself in the history of the land and the Parthian people who once lived here. A visit to the museum will also give you a good insight into the culture, wealth and royal rulers of the Parthians. 

Daschogus/Daşoguz

The small but very well located town is a special place in Turkmenistan that is always well visited for a variety of reasons. The Silk Road used to pass through here and only 10 km away is the border with Uzbekistan, so the border town was an important hub for trade. Cotton is the main crop grown in the surrounding countryside and if you are looking for good cotton products, you can get a good deal here. Stroll through the marble-clad buildings in the centre, look out for some of the remaining golden (or just gold-painted) statues of the Turkmenbashi. 

However, most tourists do not come to Daschogus because of the city itself, but to see the ancient Ruins of Konye-Urgench which are only a short drive from the centre of the city.

Awaza: The extravagant but empty tourist town by the sea

Just 12 kilometers from Türkmenbaşy, a port city on the Caspian Sea in the Balkan Province and is also the terminus of the Trans-Caspian Railway, lies the tourist area of Awaza. The city was created mainly by revenues from the export of oil and gas and is used for propaganda purposes by the government and the authoritarian ruling president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

The city is adorned with many magnificent buildings, such as the convention center and a huge aquarium, water parks and luxury hotels. Actually, an ideal place to spend a few relaxing days of vacation, but the city is surprisingly empty, the hotels even in the peak season not fully booked, because the hoped-for crowds of tourists never came. Too exclusive for many Turkmen and too unknown for most unfamiliar guests - the president's plan to make Awaza an internationally sought-after tourist destination failed. 

Köneürgentsch/Köneürgenç

Located on the edge of the Karakum Desert and close to the border with Uzbekistan, in the far north of the Turkmen province of Daşoguz. If you are interested in ancient history, you will love this place, as you can visit ruins that have even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Witness the remains of unique Islamic culture of the Khorezmians and influential architectural traditions. 

Step through the "Gate of the Caravanserai", an intricately decorated portal made of bricks, decorated with magnificent blue-white-turquoise mosaic stones and dating back to the 12th century. The ancient buildings and monuments are still well preserved and you will feel like you are traveling back in time as you admire the many mosques, mausoleums and minarets. 

The most beautiful cities of Turkmenistan: Want to see more?

We hope you enjoyed our list of the most beautiful cities in Turkmenistan! Curious to see and experience more of this unique country? Turkmenistan has so many cities worth seeing but also the natural scenery is beautiful and should not remain hidden from you with so much sightseeing. To find the right mix of nature, culture, and unique cities, check out our group tours and subscribe to our Newsletter to hear about our Turkmenistan trip first!

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