There are many things to do and see in Edirne! This city was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire and is home to many mosques, museums, markets, and vibrant streets. Located in northeast Turkey, very close to the border with both Greece and Bulgaria, Edirne is definitely worth a stop if you’e in the area. So, when you have one day in Edirne, here are some suggestions on how to spend it!
The Selimiye Mosque
Located in the heart of Edirne, this beautiful 16th century mosque stands on top of a hill and overlooks the city. It is very impressive, so much so that it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Walking in the area of the mosque you can relax in the gardens, visit the Selimiye Arasta Bazaar and explore some of the museums nearby.
The Old Mosque
Looking from the Selimiye mosque towards the town, you will see another mosque, which we found out to be the old holy mosque built in the 15th century.
Explore The Bustling Streets and Market of Edirne
From the Selimiye mosque you can walk down and see the streets in the city center of Edirne. You can observe the diverse architecture and do some shopping, but don’t expect to see your regular brands there.
The town is packed with local shops selling food specialties like baklava, cheese, sausages, fish, clothes, and even tools.
We also went into a beautiful lobby of a hotel, which in the past used to be Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai.
Try Turkish Cuisine
Have a seat in one of the local restaurants and try their specialties!
The restaurants might not look super put-together from the outside, but the food is delicious and once you’re sitting down you start to appreciate the atmosphere.
We loved all the food that we ordered and headed out to have some coffee in a place nearby.
Sultan Bayezid II Complex and Health Museum
Even though it was rainy and cold, we were committed to see this complex built in the 15th century for the then-Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Bayezid II.
The complex is comprised of a mosque, turkish bath, soup kitchen, gardens and includes a health museum.
This health museum is the main part we visited and includes a section that long time ago used to be the hospital as well as what used to be the medical school in the area.
The Sultan Bayezid II Complex is a bit out of town, but you can reach it by car within 5-10 minutes from the city center of Edirne.
More Places To Visit
Well, I hope you got some ideas of things to do when you visit Edirne and that you enjoy your stay there. If you’re into traveling and exploring new cultures in Europe, check out these:
