I had planned on visiting Edirne from Istanbul during my stay. I decided to just do a day trip and didn't mind the long bus ride going to and from Edirne. It was a worthwhile trip because of Edirne's rich cultural and historical heritage.
Day Trip to Edirne
Edirne used to be called Adrianople. This city became the Ottoman Empire's capital back in the 1360s. It became the base for Mehmet the Conqueror's assaults on Constantinople. When Mehmet the Conqueror successfully captured Constantinople, he moved the capital to the captured city. Fast forward to today, Edirne may not be as bustling as Istanbul, but it has its own charm that makes it an attractive tourist destination.
Things to Do and Places to See
These are some of the attractions in Edirne you can include in your itinerary.
Selimiye Mosque
The UNESCO-listed Selimiye Mosque is Edirne's main attraction. This mosque was constructed for Sultan Selim II in 1574. The elaborate and colorful design of the dome is a thing of beauty. A huge chunk of the interior was under construction during my visit. However, I did get to see part of it.
Kaleici District
The Old Town is a great place to walk around in. You'll see shops, restaurants and houses in various states of repair (or disrepair).
Edirne Synagogue
This synagogue is more than 100 years old and is an example early 20th century architecture. Its yellow-painted facade will immediately grab your attention.
Burmali Mosque
This mosque dates back to the 15th century. It also has beautiful decorated domes. I just passed by this mosque as I was walking around Edirne's old town.
I enjoyed my brief trip around Edirne and would recommend it for travelers who have time to spare. The Selimiye Mosque itself is worth the trip, especially if you want to tick off UNESCO Heritage Sites whenever you travel. The old town is quaint and has some local restaurants you might want to try.
Other places you might want to visit include:
- Sultan Beyazıt II Mosque Complex
- Riverbank
- Üç Şerefeli Mosque
You might want to read my other posts about Turkey:
Getting around Edirne
Most of the main tourist atrractions in Edirne are within walking distance from Selimiye Mosque. So once you take the bus to the mosque, you can walk to the old town, the synagogue, and other places. Bus fare per way is around 5 lira.
How to Get to Edirne
Edirne is a convenient destination to visit from Istanbul. You can easily reach this city by bus. There are numerous trips throughout the day. You can show up at the station and buy your ticket on the day of your planned trip. The trip takes around 3.5-4 hours one way. Fare is around 170 lira one way.
You can look for schedules here: https://www.metroturizm.com.tr/en/
