Van

The fortress stands on a 100 m-high bluff near the lake shore, with great vistas over the town and lake. From the entrance a broad track zig-zags up through barbicans to the summit. Locals often take a short-cut, and dodge the entrance fee, by slipping through the fence near the dolmus drop-off, and following a rough path up the north side of the bluff. This isn’t recommended for visitors.

Extensive modern museum with good signage in English, though dimly lit. It majors on the Urartians.

The church of Surp Khach or Holy Cross is the only remnant of a 10th century Armenian palace and monastery complex on Akdamar. It has faded frescoes within and impressive rock-cut reliefs on the exterior. A liturgy is held annually in early Sep before the Feast of the Cross.

Abandoned but substantial Armenian monastery, built in the 15th century and rebuilt in 1703 after an earthquake. The causeway has been submerged by rising water levels in the lake, so you take a summer boat trip from Van.

The 8th century BC acropolis of Sardurihinilli, strung along a ridge above Highway D975, with elaborate Urartian cuneiform inscriptions. No signage.

An impressive 1643-built castle on an outcrop. A pretty, 1671-built stone bridge with three humps spans the river below.

Ruins of a 13th century Armenian monastery, supposedly on the site of the martyrdom of Bartholomew the Apostle. (Unlucky fellow, he was also martyred in Baku.) The glyphs over its portal are especially attractive.