10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Edirne

Once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne is full of historic Ottoman architecture, as well as amazing food, and a famous oil wrestling festival that has been around for hundreds of years. Check out some of the most essential reasons why you should spend a weekend in Edirne.

The stunning Imperial Mosques

As the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne is full of historic architecture that continues to exude its former glory. Known as one of Mimar Sinan’s greatest works, Edirne’s Selimiye Mosque is a truly stunning sight and was built between 1569 and 1575. The Üç Şerefeli Mosque is also another amazing example, really dominating the city center, and was built between 1437 and 1447.

Selimiye Mosque: Meydan Mahallesi, Mimar Sinan Cd., 22020 Edirne Merkez, Edirne

Üç Şerefeli Mosque: Sabuni Mahallesi, Hükümet Cad., 22100 Merkez, Edirne Merkez

Edirne’s historic quarters

Apart from its historic mosques, Edirne’s beautiful Kaleiçi neighborhood is where you’ll find historic timber houses from the 18-20th centuries. In the city’s other historic quarter of Sarayiçi, past the historic bridge, you’ll find the remnants of the Old Palace built by Sultan Muran II as well as the restored Ottoman kitchens where the Imperial cuisine began.

Kaleiçi: Mithat Paşa, 22020 Edirne Merkez

Sarayiçi: Fatih Cephanelik Köprüsü, 22000, Edirne

The tradition of oil wrestling

In Kaleiçi, a small museum with a tea garden exhibits old photographs and newspaper clippings of a festival that has been held since 1346. We’re talking about Edirne’s famous Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, where wrestlers from all over the country arrive to battle it out for the golden belt and the title of başpehlivan (champion).

Boutique Turkish wines

Located outside of Edirne, you’ll find the boutique vineyards of Turkey’s historic Thrace region, which are considered some of the best. Drop by Arcadia Vineyards to see how wine is produced according to a philosophy of sustainable viticulture. Excellent red wines are also produced at Barbare Vineyards in Tekirdağ’s beautiful rural landscape.

Arcadia Vineyards: Hamitabat Köyü, 39750 Çeşmekolu Köyü, Lüleburgaz-Kırklareli

Barbare Vineyards: Karaağaçlık Mevkii,, 59000 Merkez, Süleymanpaşa-Tekirdağ

The amazing food

From delicious meze at Gazi Baba, the city’s oldest meyhane (tavern) to the classic and perfectly grilled köfte at Köfteci Osman, Edirne has plenty of delicious food for you to try out. Don’t forget to taste the famous fried liver at Ciğerci Niyazi Usta.

Gazi Baba: Talatpaşa Mahallesi, Zindan Altı Sk., 22100 Edirne Merkez, Edirne +90 284 214 50 50

Köfteci Osman: Meydan Mh, 22000 Edirne Merkez, Edirne +90 284 212 77 25

Ciğerci Niyazı Usta: Mithat Paşa, Ortakapı Cd. No:9, 22020 Edirne Merkez, Edirne +90 284 213 33 72

The great museums

Apart from the small oil-wrestling museum, Edirne has plenty of other great exhibitions that take visitors back in time. Visit the Museum of Health to discover the medical techniques and advances of the Ottoman era or the Edirne Turkish and Islamic Art Museum to see some stunning examples of Ottoman era calligraphy, weapons, costumes, and jewelry.

Museum of Health: Yeniimaret Mahallesi, 22000 Edirne Merkez, Edirne

Edirne Turkish and & Islamic Art Museum: Meydan Mahallesi, Zehrimar Cami Sok., 22020 Edirne Merkez, Edirne

1. Authentic Ottoman cuisine

With such a rich past with regards to the Ottoman Empire, it’s no surprise that the empire’s traditional cuisine is also prevalent in Edirne. Dine on authentic Ottoman dishes at Edirne’s famous Tulipa Café and Restaurant or pick up some Deva-i Misk (Ottoman helva with cinnamon, ginger, mastic, and saffron) at Keçecizade.

Tulipa: Karaağaç Mahallesi, Karaağaç, Ortaköy Cd. No:17, 22100 Edirne +90 284 223 24 25

Mouth watering desserts

Speaking of dessert, Edirne has many more sweet delights than Ottoman Deva-i Misk. Go to Keçecizade or Arslanzade to pick up badem ezmesi (almond paste), Kavala Kurabiyesi (almond cookies covered in powdered sugar), lokum (Turkish Delight), and Kallavi (chewy cookie with Antep pistachios).

Keçecizade: Sarıcapaşa Mahallesi, Talat Paşa Cad. Kipa Alışveriş Merkezi No:23, 22030 Edirne

Arslanzade: Meydan Mahallesi, Belediye dükkanları No:2 Arslanzade, Talat Paşa Cd., 22100 Edirne

2. Jewish heritage

Synagogue

Edirne was once home to around 20,000 Sephardic Jews and the city’s Grand Synagogue is a reminder of this rich heritage that has succeeded in leaving its mark on local culture. Having undergone a 2.5 million dollar restoration project, the synagogue is definitely worth a visit.

Edirne Grand Synagogue: Dilaverbey Mahallesi, Maarif Cd No:75, 22020 Merkez, Edirne

Beautiful bazaars

There are plenty of opportunities to go shopping in Edirne especially at one of the historic bazaars where you’ll find the best of the local goods. Wander around the historic Bedesten Çarşısı (Bedesten Bazaar) inside the Old Mosque, the Selimiye Arastası (Selimiye Arcade) below the Selimiye Mosque, or the Ali Paşa Covered Bazaar designed by Mimar Sinan in 1569.

Bedesten Çarşısı: Sabuni Mahallesi, Kuyumcular Sk., 22100 Edirne

Selimiye Arastası: Meydan Mahallesi, 22000 Edirne Merkez

Ali Paşa: Mithat Paşa, Alipaşa Çarşısı İç Yolu, 22020 Edirne Merkez

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.