Car & Van Hire - Van

Van stands on the banks of Turkey's largest lake. Once an important stop on the Silk Road, this city is something of a hidden gem. It's an excellent choice for the adventurous traveller who is looking for nature, culture or ancient history. You'll find all three in bucketloads in this stunning corner of Eastern Turkey.

Lake Van has four small islands. The most interesting is Akdamar Island, the second largest. Here you can see the traces of the once-mighty Armenian Kingdom, which had its capital here for almost 800 years. Check out the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This 10th-century cathedral is typical of Armenian architecture, although many of its ornate decorations were destroyed after the Turkish republic was founded. Some remain, with carvings of Biblical scenes on the exterior walls of the cathedral. The building stood empty for much of the 20th century before being controversially converted into a secular museum. As well as the cathedral, the island is quite stunning, with hiking trails that offer great panoramic views across the lake.

Another important local landmark is the Castle of Van. This stands high on a hill, 100 m above the lake. Today, the castle is largely ruined, but it was once a hugely significant building. It was originally built by the Urartian people between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. Here you will find Van Museum, where you can learn more about the area's history. The castle is also a great place to go for a stroll, admiring the views of the city and the lake beyond.

Van has one truly unique attraction: its own breed of cat. Van cats are all white and have striking odd-coloured eyes. They are known for their bold, inquisitive nature and unlike most cats, they love to swim! The Van Cat House is the place to go if you want to learn more about them. It's not a cat cafe but rather a research facility dedicated to this rare cat. Visitors who want to play with and cuddle the kitties are welcome!

With car rental in Van, you can discover more of the surrounding area. If you're looking for adventure, Mount Ararat is a 3-hour drive away. This legendary mountain is known as the place where Noah's Ark finally docked after the Great Flood. It has several hiking trails, including one that cuts through the imposing Hell Canyon. Horse riding, mountain bike riding and rock climbing can also be enjoyed here.

For most of the year, there's not much traffic in and around Van. You can expect more cars in the summer months, as it's a popular destination for domestic tourists. During July and August, you will probably have more difficulty finding a parking spot than the rest of the year. Rather than waste your time searching for on-street parking, go to one of the city's large "Oto Parks" (multi-storey car parks). Some of the biggest include Toa Class Kapali Oto Park and Huzur Katli Oto Park. Don't be intimidated when you see cars parked very tightly together. If you're not confident in your ability to jam your vehicle in like a sardine, the parking attendant will take your keys and do it for you.

If you do find on-street parking, ensure you are carrying cash to pay for it. You will need to pay the parking attendant directly, as there are no meters.

Van has a very cold winter, with snow for five months. The snowy season starts at the beginning of November and continues until early April. During this time, visitors should be prepared to drive in adverse conditions. It's best to stick to the highways, as country roads are not gritted as regularly and can develop black ice.

One of Europe's highest paved roads, Karabet Geçidi, is found in Van Province. This road, which stretches for 42.7 km, attracts drivers looking for a scenic adventure. It is set 2,994 m above sea level and offers dizzying views. It is totally paved, but it does include a number of jaw-clenching hairpin bends, so it's not for the faint of heart! The road is often closed in winter or any time of year when the weather is bad. Locals say that the best time to drive this road is in springtime when the snow has melted and the wildflowers are blooming.

Van is a fairly isolated city, but if you are travelling there as part of a larger Turkish road trip, you will need to ensure your car has an HGS device. These small devices, which usually take the form of a sticker with an electronic chip, are used to pay for toll roads. Turkey has an extensive network of modern toll booths that stretch across the country, covering connections between all major cities. An HGS device is the only way to pay. If you don't have one, you will be subject to an eye-watering fine.