place
Ashgabat is unlike any other city in Central Asia: white marble buildings, golden domes, huge monuments and quiet, spotless avenues. It is the starting point for trips to Darvaza, Merv and the Karakum desert.
best time
April–May and September–October
highlights
Ashgabat was almost entirely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1948, and again transformed after independence. The result is a capital clad in white marble, with fountains, parks, monuments and wide, quiet streets. Many visitors describe it as surreal, and it is certainly a city you will not forget.
Beyond the architecture, Ashgabat is the gateway to Turkmenistan’s history and culture: Parthian ruins, carpets, horses and the desert. Even a short visit makes sense as part of a wider Silk Road journey.
A drive and walk through the city takes in the Independence monument, the Neutrality monument with its rotating golden statue, government buildings and parks. The scale is best appreciated from a viewpoint or during the evening, when the buildings are lit.
On the edge of the city, this large market sells carpets, fabrics, telpek hats made of sheepskin, jewellery and everyday goods. It is busiest on certain days of the week; we check the schedule for your visit.
Turkmen carpets, with their deep red colours and tribal motifs called guls, are famous worldwide. The museum displays historic and modern pieces, including some of very large size, and explains the patterns of different tribes.
A short drive west of the city, Nisa was an early capital of the Parthian empire. Mud-brick walls and the remains of halls stand on a hill with views of the Kopet Dag mountains. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Turkmenistan is proud of the Akhal-Teke breed, known for its slender build and metallic sheen. Visits to stables near the city can be arranged, depending on availability.
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is very hot, though the city itself has shade and air-conditioned interiors. Winter is cool and can be cold, but city sightseeing is possible.
Ashgabat has an international airport. From Uzbekistan, travellers can come overland: from the north via Dashoguz, close to Khiva, or from the east via Turkmenabat, close to Bukhara. These crossings must be open to foreigners at the time of travel.
Most nationalities need a tourist visa, which is generally issued based on a letter of invitation from a licensed agency. The process takes time, so start planning early.
Information checked in October 2026; entry rules change, so confirm with our team or the official embassy website before you travel.
Ashgabat is usually the turning point of a Turkmenistan section within a longer route, as in our Five countries of Central Asia program. A common pattern is Khiva, Kunya-Urgench, Darvaza, Ashgabat, Merv and then into Uzbekistan towards Bukhara.
Hotels in Ashgabat range from large modern hotels to more modest options. Our local partner chooses hotels suitable for foreign visitors.
Send us your dates, nationality and route ideas. We check the current visa procedure, build the program with a licensed partner and send you a quote.
Updated: 2026-10
One to two days is enough for the city and Nisa. Most travellers combine Ashgabat with an overnight at Darvaza and a day at Merv.
Tourist visits are usually organised with a licensed agency and a guide, as part of the visa process. Rules can change, so we confirm the current procedure for each trip.
Photography is restricted around government buildings and some official areas. Your guide will tell you where it is allowed.
Ashgabat has an international airport. Travellers coming from Uzbekistan can also cross by land in the north or east and drive to the capital, when crossings are open to foreigners.
The Darvaza gas crater, often called the Door to Hell, is a burning pit in the middle of the Karakum desert. Seeing it glow after dark and sleeping under the desert sky is the most famous experience in Turkmenistan.
Khiva's inner town sits entirely within mud-brick walls, with minarets, palaces and madrasas packed into a few hundred metres. It feels like a city frozen in time, and it is best seen slowly, at dawn and dusk.
Bukhara is the city where travellers slow down. Its old town is still lived in, its lanes lead from mosques to bazaars and courtyards, and the whole centre can be explored on foot.
One journey through all five countries: Silk Road cities, mountain lakes and the desert. Built individually around your dates and border rules.
Turkmenistan is the least visited country in Central Asia and one of the most unusual. Travel here is usually organised with a licensed local partner, and we plan it as a standalone trip or as part of a wider Silk Road route.
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To: Global Destination
Where: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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