Bitlis & Ahlat
A vast Seljuk cemetery on the shores of Lake Van and a crater lake in an extinct volcano.
On the north-western shore of Lake Van, the town of Ahlat holds one of the largest medieval Islamic cemeteries in the world, with hundreds of finely carved Seljuk tombstones.
Nearby, Nemrut Crater Lake fills the caldera of an extinct volcano — not to be confused with Mount Nemrut in Adıyaman. We plan this area as part of a Lake Van route.
What to see in Bitlis & Ahlat
The places worth your time — and the ones we build a day around.
Planning Bitlis & Ahlat
The practical answers, before you book anything.
June–September; the crater road is often closed by snow in winter.
1–2 days as part of a Lake Van route.
Muş Airport (MSR) or Van Airport (VAN), then by road.
Bitlis & Ahlat: common questions
Is Nemrut Crater Lake the same as Mount Nemrut?
No. Nemrut Crater Lake is near Tatvan on Lake Van; Mount Nemrut with the giant stone heads is in Adıyaman.
What is the Ahlat cemetery?
A medieval Seljuk cemetery with hundreds of carved tombstones, one of the most important of its kind.
Which of these is your kind of day?
Tell us what pulls at you and we will build Bitlis & Ahlat around it — the right hours, the right guide, and an honest word on what to skip. How we charge is set out in How we work.