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Capital

Ashgabat

Currency

Turkmenistani Manat (TMT)

Language

Turkmen

Best Time

Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct

Time Zone

TMT (UTC+5)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Turkmenistan
Welcome to Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan's Desert Mysteries

Welcome to Turkmenistan, a Central Asian country where vast deserts and Silk Road history create an intriguing, rarely visited destination. The Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the "Door to Hell," burns continuously in the Karakum Desert, a surreal and unforgettable sight. Ashgabat, the capital, showcases an extraordinary collection of white marble buildings and gold-domed monuments. Ancient Merv, once one of the largest cities in the world along the Silk Road, reveals remarkable ruins amid the desert. Turkmenistan's Akhal-Teke horses, renowned for their golden sheen, reflect a proud equestrian tradition dating back millennia. The country's strict, guided tourism model offers a rare and controlled glimpse into daily Turkmen life. Traditional carpet weaving remains an important cultural craft, reflected in intricate patterns passed through generations. Turkmenistan invites the most curious travelers to discover one of the world's most unusual and secretive destinations.

Popular City

Ashgabat

Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings anywhere on earth, giving the capital an almost surreal, gleaming uniformity. The Independence Monument and the nearby Arch of Neutrality, topped with a rotating gold statue of the country’s first president, dominate the city’s monumental public spaces. The National Museum of Turkmenistan traces the country’s history from ancient Silk Road civilizations through the Soviet era to independence. Ashgabat’s wide, largely empty boulevards and elaborate fountains reflect the scale of investment poured into the capital’s rebuilding after a devastating 1948 earthquake. The nearby Darvaza gas crater, a fiery pit that has burned continuously since the 1970s, has become one of Turkmenistan’s most surreal and photographed sights, a short drive into the surrounding Karakum Desert. Ashgabat’s combination of marble monumentality and the nearby burning crater makes it one of the most unusual capitals in the world to visit.

Travel News

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Popular City

Mary

Mary serves as the gateway to the ancient ruins of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once one of the largest cities in the world along the Silk Road. The site’s massive mudbrick walls and the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar convey the scale of a city that rivaled Baghdad and Damascus in its medieval prime. The Mary Regional Museum offers context on the surrounding archaeological sites, including artifacts recovered from Merv and other nearby Silk Road settlements. The city itself serves mainly as a practical base for exploring the ruins rather than a destination in its own right. Merv’s scale and historical significance as a Silk Road hub make it one of Central Asia’s most important, if under-visited, archaeological sites. Mary offers essential access to this remarkable piece of Silk Road history.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan’s main Caspian Sea port, offers beaches along the Caspian coast that remain relatively undeveloped compared to more established Black Sea resorts. The nearby Awaza tourist zone has been developed with hotels and resorts aimed at expanding beach tourism along the coast. The city’s harbor reflects its role in regional shipping and trade across the Caspian Sea. Turkmenbashi’s coastal setting offers a different side of Turkmenistan from the desert monuments of the capital. The surrounding landscape combines desert scenery with Caspian shoreline, a combination found in few other places. Turkmenbashi remains a developing but distinctive stop for travelers exploring Turkmenistan’s coast.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Turkmenistan's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Plov

Plov is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dograma

Dograma is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Manty

Manty is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Shurpa

Shurpa is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Ichlekli

Ichlekli is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Gutap

Gutap is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Kovurma

Kovurma is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Pishme

Pishme is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Chorek

Chorek is a well-known part of Turkmenistan's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Turkmenistan. Explore local markets, independent cafés and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu is the fourth-smallest country in the world by both land area and population, and its highest point sits at just under 15 feet above sea level, making it one of the most vulnerable nations on Earth to the effects of rising sea levels caused by climate change. The country has taken the unusual step of creating a digital version of itself, called a "digital nation," complete with government archives and cultural records recreated virtually, as a form of national preservation in case rising seas eventually render the physical islands uninhabitable.

Tuvalu generates a notable share of its national revenue by leasing out its ".tv" internet domain suffix, which has become highly valuable due to its use by streaming and video platforms worldwide, providing an outsized source of income for such a small nation. The country consists of just nine small coral atolls and islands, and it has no rivers, making it entirely dependent on rainwater collection and desalination for fresh water.

Tuvalu was among the first nations to formally warn the international community about existential threats posed by climate change, and its officials have spoken at global summits specifically about the possibility of the country becoming the first nation in history to lose its physical territory entirely to rising seas.
Another little-known fact is that Albanians have a unique cultural tradition called "Besa," meaning "to keep one's promise." This centuries-old code of honor became internationally recognized during World War II when Albania was one of the few European countries where the Jewish population actually increased because local families risked their lives to shelter refugees. Albania also boasts the stunning Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water whose exact depth remains unknown despite multiple explorations.

Finally, Albania enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year, rivaling many Mediterranean destinations. The country is also famous for its "sworn virgins"—a centuries-old tradition in remote mountain villages where women could legally assume male social roles by taking a lifelong vow of celibacy, preserving family inheritance and leadership in the absence of male heirs.