İpekyolu district, Van, Turkey
Places to visit near Erçek
Erçek is a town in İpekyolu district, Van, Turkey. Within 50 km by road there are 150 places to visit — 98 mosques & dargahs, 22 hill stations & viewpoints, 14 forts & heritage and 9 lakes, dams & reservoirs. The must-see places are Lake Erçek (7 km), Gövelek Gölü (14 km) and Lake Keşiş (26 km).
Erçek at a glance
- Location
- İpekyolu district, Van, Turkey
- Coordinates
- 38.6511° N, 43.6440° E
- Places within 50 km
- 150 (11 must-see)
- Best time to visit
- October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for mosques & dargahs
Top places to visit near Erçek
Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Erçek: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.
- Lake ErçekLakes & Dams · İpekyoluMust-see
- Gövelek GölüLakes & Dams · İpekyoluMust-see
- Lake KeşişLakes & Dams · İpekyoluMust-see
- Karagündüz HöyükForts · İpekyoluNotable
- Mount ErekHills · İpekyoluMust-see
- Çomaklıbaba TepeHills · TuşbaNotable
- Ziyaret TepesiHills · İpekyoluNotable
- AkgölLakes & Dams · ÖzalpMust-see
- Van MuseumMuseums · İpekyoluMust-see
- Van CastleForts · İpekyoluMust-see
- Van Ulu CamiiMosques · İpekyoluMust-see
- Davutağa DağıHills · MuradiyeNotable
More places near Erçek
- Kok Tepesi · viewpoint · Tuşba · ~22 km
- Sarımehmet Dam · lake · Muradiye · ~22 km
- Aşağı-Anzaf Kalesi · fort · Tuşba · ~23 km
- Haykaberd · fort · Gürpınar · ~46 km · Must-see
- Işık Dağı · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~26 km
- Doğançay Dağı · viewpoint · Özalp · ~26 km
- Eğlence Dağı · viewpoint · Tuşba · ~26 km
- Erçek Mahalle Nur Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~1 km
- Aşağımollahasan Höyüğü · fort · Özalp · ~27 km
- Kara Dağ · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~28 km
- Hoşap Castle · fort · Gürpınar · ~49 km · Must-see
- Sikke Göleti · lake · İpekyolu · ~29 km
Things to see near Erçek, by type
Mosques & dargahs near Erçek
99 mosques & dargahs within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Erçek Mahalle Nur Camii (1 km); the best-known is Van Ulu Camii (39 km). Best time: year-round.
- Van Ulu Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km · Must-see
- Erçek Mahalle Nur Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~1 km
- Aktaş Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~4 km
- Kaymaklı Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~6 km
- Irgat Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~6 km
- Karagündüz Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~8 km
Hill stations & viewpoints near Erçek
71 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Çomaklıbaba Tepe (17 km); the best-known is Mount Erek (32 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.
- Mount Erek · viewpoint · İpekyolu · ~32 km · Must-see
- Çomaklıbaba Tepe · viewpoint · Tuşba · ~17 km
- Ziyaret Tepesi · viewpoint · İpekyolu · ~17 km
- Davutağa Dağı · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~19 km
- Kok Tepesi · viewpoint · Tuşba · ~22 km
- Işık Dağı · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~26 km
Forts & heritage near Erçek
18 forts & heritage within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Karagündüz Höyük (6 km). Best time: october to february.
- Karagündüz Höyük · fort · İpekyolu · ~6 km
- Van Castle · fort · İpekyolu · ~39 km · Must-see
- Aşağı-Anzaf Kalesi · fort · Tuşba · ~23 km
- Haykaberd · fort · Gürpınar · ~46 km · Must-see
- Aşağımollahasan Höyüğü · fort · Özalp · ~27 km
- Hoşap Castle · fort · Gürpınar · ~49 km · Must-see
Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Erçek
15 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Lake Erçek (7 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
- Lake Erçek · lake · İpekyolu · ~7 km · Must-see
- Gövelek Gölü · lake · İpekyolu · ~14 km · Must-see
- Lake Keşiş · lake · İpekyolu · ~26 km · Must-see
- Akgöl · lake · Özalp · ~38 km · Must-see
- Sarımehmet Dam · lake · Muradiye · ~22 km
- Sikke Göleti · lake · İpekyolu · ~29 km
Buddhist sites near Erçek
6 buddhist sites within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Monastery of Varag (34 km). Best time: october to march.
- Monastery of Varag · Buddhist site · İpekyolu · ~34 km
- Monastery of Ardzvaper · Buddhist site · Tutak · ~60 km
- Ktuts Monastery · Buddhist site · Tuşba · ~61 km
- Hogots Monastery · Buddhist site · Gürpınar · ~81 km
- Saint Thomas Monastery · Buddhist site · Gevaş · ~90 km
- Saint Bartholomew Monastery · Buddhist site · Başkale · ~94 km
Caves near Erçek
6 caves within 100 km of Erçek. The closest is Abuzet Cave (45 km). Best time: year-round.
- Abuzet Cave · cave · Gürpınar · ~45 km
- Şeytan Zindani · cave · Çaldıran · ~69 km
- Zincirpalak Mağarası · cave · Gürpınar · ~81 km
- Seyit Mağarası · cave · Gevaş · ~87 km
- Üçdelik Mağarası · cave · Gevaş · ~88 km
- İnek Cave · cave · Tatvan · ~99 km
A one-day trip from Erçek
5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 82 km on the road.
- Start in Erçek
- 6 km Karagündüz Höyük · heritage site, İpekyolu
- 8 km Lake Erçek · lake, İpekyolu
- 31 km Mount Erek · viewpoint, İpekyolu
- 12 km Lake Keşiş · lake, İpekyolu
- 11 km Gövelek Gölü · lake, İpekyolu
- 14 km Back to Erçek
Plan a longer trip from Erçek — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.
From travellers near Erçek
No traveller has reported from around Erçek yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.
How to reach Erçek
All places near Erçek by distance
Within 15 km of Erçek
- Aktaş Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~4 km
- Kaymaklı Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~6 km
- Irgat Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~6 km
- Karagündüz Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~8 km
- Değirmenarkı Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~10 km
- Baklatepe Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~11 km
- Elmalar Ziyareti · attraction · İpekyolu · ~13 km
- Ilıkaynak Mahalle Kalender Mezrası Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~13 km
- Yalınağaç Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~14 km
- Kozluca Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~14 km
- Çalımlı Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~14 km
- Ağzıkara Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~14 km
- Yukarı Güneyce Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~14 km
- Yalınağaç Mahalle Beykuşağı Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~14 km
- Yalnızağaç Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~14 km
- Ortanca Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~15 km
15–50 km — half-day trips
- Lake Süphan · lake · Çaldıran · ~50 km · Must-see
- Şehitömer Tepesi · viewpoint · Özalp · ~32 km
- Rusahinili · attraction · İpekyolu · ~32 km
- Ulu Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~34 km
- Monastery of Varag · Buddhist site · İpekyolu · ~34 km
- Karaveli Tepesi · viewpoint · Özalp · ~36 km
- Hayal Dağı · viewpoint · Özalp · ~37 km
- Panz · fort · Tuşba · ~38 km
- Çeper Tepesi · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~38 km
- İsabey Dağı · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~38 km
- Şeyh Abdurrahman Gazi Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Tushpa · fort · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Süleyman Han Cami · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Van Fortress · fort · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Kaya Çelebi Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Abbasağa Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Hüsrevpaşa Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Horhor Medresesi · fort · İpekyolu · ~39 km
- Bendimahi Bridge · attraction · Muradiye · ~41 km
- Zernek Dam · lake · Gürpınar · ~41 km
- Aşağı Gölalan Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~16 km
- Karakoç Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~16 km
- Zernek Mahalle Camii · dargah · Gürpınar · ~42 km
- Güvelek Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~17 km
- Yukarı Gölalan Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~17 km
- Amik Kalesi · fort · Tuşba · ~43 km
- Koç Mahalle Kızılbulak Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~18 km
- Yatıksırt Mahalle Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~18 km
- Aşağı Çitli Mahalle Yukarı Çitli Camii · dargah · İpekyolu · ~18 km
- Doğangün Mahalle Camii · dargah · Muradiye · ~18 km
- Gendelova Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~18 km
- Satıbey Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~18 km
- Adır Island · river spot · Tuşba · ~44 km
- Çomaklı Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~19 km
- Sürüyolu Mahalle Camii · dargah · Muradiye · ~19 km
- Akçaören Mahalle Camii · dargah · Tuşba · ~19 km
- Ziyaret Dağı · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~45 km
- Abuzet Cave · cave · Gürpınar · ~45 km
- Keçikıran Kalesi · fort · Muradiye · ~45 km
- Pirreşit Dağı · viewpoint · Özalp · ~45 km
50–100 km — one-day trips
- Surp Marinos Monastery · fort · Edremit · ~53 km · Must-see
- Muradiye Şelalesi · waterfall · Muradiye · ~58 km · Must-see
- Morgedik Barajı · lake · Erciş · ~71 km · Must-see
- Koçlu Dağı · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~51 km
- Celal Tepesi · viewpoint · Özalp · ~51 km
- Zorap Tepesi · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~52 km
- Edremit Ulu Camii · dargah · Edremit · ~52 km
- Akçadağ · viewpoint · Muradiye · ~52 km
- Çat Dağı · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~52 km
- Lake Van · lake · Tuşba · ~73 km · Must-see
- Muradiye Dağı · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~53 km
- Şeytan Köprüsü · attraction · Muradiye · ~53 km
- Lake Arin · lake · Adilcevaz · ~75 km · Must-see
- Hıdırmenteş Gölü · lake · Çaldıran · ~75 km · Must-see
- Ezîdî · waterfall · Muradiye · ~55 km
- Kebir Dağı · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~56 km
- Girgevri Tepesi · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~59 km
- Monastery of Ardzvaper · Buddhist site · Tutak · ~60 km
- Çaldıran Şelalesi · waterfall · Tutak · ~60 km
- Mount Artos · viewpoint · Gevaş · ~81 km · Must-see
- Metkuli Tepesi · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~61 km
- Çarpanak Island · river spot · Tuşba · ~61 km
- Ktuts Monastery · Buddhist site · Tuşba · ~61 km
- Başet Tepesi · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~62 km
- Monastery of the Holy Cross at Soradir · church · Başkale · ~85 km · Must-see
- Gülebakan Tepesi · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~66 km
- Siyahtaş Tepesi · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~67 km
- Girekol · viewpoint · Tutak · ~67 km
- Dilkaya Höyüğü · fort · Edremit · ~68 km
- Karmravank · fort · Gevaş · ~89 km · Must-see
- Şeytan Zindani · cave · Çaldıran · ~69 km
- Murat Tepesi · viewpoint · Erciş · ~69 km
- Ziyaret Tepesi · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~69 km
- Bincevan Dağı · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~69 km
- Mengene Dağı · viewpoint · Başkale · ~70 km
- Koç Dağı · viewpoint · Başkale · ~72 km
- Lake Aygır · lake · Adilcevaz · ~93 km · Must-see
- Mevzi Dağı · viewpoint · Çatak · ~73 km
- Köse Dağı · viewpoint · Çaldıran · ~73 km
- Sarıbulak Dağı · viewpoint · Gürpınar · ~73 km
Count by type (within 100 km)
| Type | Within 50 km | Within 100 km | Nearest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosques & dargahs | 98 | 99 | Erçek Mahalle Nur Camii (1 km) |
| Hill stations & viewpoints | 22 | 71 | Çomaklıbaba Tepe (17 km) |
| Forts & heritage | 14 | 18 | Karagündüz Höyük (6 km) |
| Lakes, dams & reservoirs | 9 | 15 | Lake Erçek (7 km) |
| Buddhist sites | 1 | 6 | Monastery of Varag (34 km) |
| Caves | 1 | 6 | Abuzet Cave (45 km) |
| Other attractions | 3 | 4 | Elmalar Ziyareti (13 km) |
| Waterfalls | 0 | 4 | Ezîdî (55 km) |
| Rivers, islands & mangroves | 1 | 4 | Adır Island (44 km) |
| Churches | 0 | 2 | Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross (79 km) |
| Museums | 1 | 1 | Van Museum (38 km) |
Erçek: questions travellers ask
What are the best places to visit near Erçek?
Lake Erçek (lake, about 7 km), Gövelek Gölü (lake, about 14 km), Lake Keşiş (lake, about 26 km), Karagündüz Höyük (heritage site, about 6 km), Mount Erek (viewpoint, about 32 km), Çomaklıbaba Tepe (viewpoint, about 17 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Erçek?
150 places on Spotwander: 98 mosques & dargahs, 22 hill stations & viewpoints, 14 forts & heritage, 9 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 1 Buddhist site.
Which is the nearest dargah to Erçek?
Erçek Mahalle Nur Camii, about 1 km by road; Aktaş Mahalle Camii (4 km) is next.
Which is the nearest viewpoint to Erçek?
Çomaklıbaba Tepe, about 17 km by road; Ziyaret Tepesi (17 km) is next.
Which is the nearest fort to Erçek?
Karagündüz Höyük, about 6 km by road; Aşağı-Anzaf Kalesi (23 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Erçek?
Start in Erçek, visit Karagündüz Höyük, then Lake Erçek, then Mount Erek, then Lake Keşiş, then Gövelek Gölü, and drive back — about 82 km by road in all.
What is the best time to visit places near Erçek?
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for mosques & dargahs.
Towns near Erçek
- Places near Timar · 34 km
- Places near Van · 36 km
- Places near Özalp · 37 km
- Places near Muradiye · 48 km
- Places near Güzelsu · 50 km
- Places near Dorutay · 50 km
- Places near Gürpınar · 52 km
- Places near Edremit · 53 km
- Places near Saray · 56 km
- Places near Erciş · 61 km
Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Erçek’s location and population from GeoNames. Data sources & credits.