Edirne
Edirne, in Thrace, 2 h 30 by road from Istanbul, was the Ottoman capital before the conquest of Constantinople. Its Selimiye Mosque, the masterpiece of the architect Sinan and on the World Heritage List since 2011, reopened for worship in February 2026 after five years of restoration. In early July the city hosts the Kırkpınar oil-wrestling tournament.
Edirne is the main city of Turkish Thrace, the European part of the country, close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders. Before the conquest of Constantinople it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and the sultans went on building there. Go for one night, or a long day from Istanbul, 2 h 30 away by road: above all for the Selimiye, and for a provincial city that lives at its own pace.
The Selimiye Mosque
The Selimiye is the work of Sinan, the great Ottoman architect, who regarded it as his masterpiece. Together with its complex, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011. It was restored from November 2021 to 2026 by the General Directorate of Foundations, reopened for worship on 18 February 2026 and was officially inaugurated on 12 June 2026. About two million people visited it in the months after it reopened.
Entry is free outside prayer times. Modest dress is expected, and women cover their hair.
Other monuments
- The Old Mosque (Eski Cami) and the Üç Şerefeli Mosque, in the centre, predate the Selimiye.
- The Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai, by Sinan, is now a hotel.
- The Complex of Bayezid II, on the Tunca, once housed an Ottoman hospital; it is now Trakya University's Health Museum.
- The stone bridges over the Tunca and the Meriç lead towards Karaağaç.
- Sarayiçi hosts the Kırkpınar. Reconstruction of Edirne Palace there has been announced for 2027.
Kırkpınar
The Kırkpınar oil-wrestling tournament is held every year in early July at Sarayiçi: wrestlers coated in olive oil compete over three days. The 2026 edition took place from 3 to 5 July; the 2027 dates have not yet been published.
On 5 and 6 May, the Kakava and Hıdrellez spring festival of the Roma communities also enlivens the city.
The hotel in the selection
Edirne Osmanlı Evleri occupies two mansions about a century old, once the homes of the Albert Safrati and Jack Assa families, restored over four years in the Kaleiçi quarter. Its 12 rooms are each named after a town in the province and furnished with antiques. No price was shown online for early June 2027: the rate is available on request.
When to go
Edirne has the most continental climate in the region: the average high reaches 32.7 °C in July and 33.1 °C in August, and the average low falls to -0.4 °C in January. May, June, September and October are the most pleasant months, with highs of 21 to 30 °C; early July for the Kırkpınar, despite the heat.
Getting to Edirne
Edirne has no airport. It is 2 h 30 by road from Sultanahmet and 2 h 40 from Istanbul Airport, excluding traffic. Bursa, the other former Ottoman capital, has its own page.
Safety
None of the European foreign ministries followed by Sabaro advises against Edirne. Several European ministries call for heightened vigilance across the country and ask travellers to avoid gatherings. The "Travel advice" table on this page gives the advice of your country.
What to see
- Selimiye Mosque, World Heritage — masterpiece of the architect Sinan, inscribed with its complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011; restored from November 2021 to 2026, reopened for worship on 18 February 2026; free entry outside prayer times UNESCO, la mosquée Selimiye et son ensemble social
- Complex of Bayezid II and Health Museum — former Ottoman hospital on the Tunca, now Trakya University's Health Museum Université de Trakya, musée de la Santé du complexe de Bayezid II
- Old Mosque, Üç Şerefeli Mosque and Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai — mosques that predate the Selimiye and a caravanserai by Sinan, in the centre GoTürkiye, Edirne
- Bridges over the Tunca and the Meriç — Ottoman stone bridges between the centre and Karaağaç GoTürkiye, Edirne
- Sarayiçi and Kırkpınar oil wrestling — arena of the oil-wrestling tournament, early July (2026 edition 3-5 July); reconstruction of Edirne Palace announced for 2027 Milliyet, dates du Kırkpınar 2026
When to go
Climate in Edirne
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. (°C) | 7.1 | 10.2 | 14.3 | 19.9 | 25.5 | 30.1 | 32.7 | 33.1 | 27.9 | 21.0 | 14.4 | 8.4 |
Source: NOAA, normales OMM 1991-2020, station 17050 (Edirne) — 1991-2020, accessed 22 October 2026
Getting there
- No airport: 2 h 30 by road from Sultanahmet (240 km) and 2 h 40 from Istanbul Airport (IST), traffic excluded OSRM (calculateur d'itinéraire sur données OpenStreetMap), durée de conduite sans arrêt ni trafic
- Edirne lies close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders GoTürkiye, Edirne
By air
| Airport | By road | Direct flights |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul (IST) | 212 km, 2h08 |
|
| Tekirdağ Çorlu (TEQ) | 151 km, 1h43 | |
| Çanakkale (CKZ) | 232 km, 2h55 |
Hotels chosen in the region
| Hotel | Category | Suits | Guest rating | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edirne Osmanlı Evleri | Two restored century-old mansions, 12 rooms | Boutique and historic hotels, Shopping | 4,6/5 (Google) | Price on request |
Chosen activities
- Kırkpınar oil wrestling at Sarayiçi — 3 days, early July
- Kakava and Hıdrellez spring festival, 5-6 May — 2 days
Read next
Travel advice
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | Heightened vigilance (yellow), as in most of the country; the terrorist risk remains high nationwide: keep away from gatherings and demonstrations. The areas advised against are the vicinity of the Syrian and Iraqi borders and seven south-eastern provinces. | France Diplomatie, Turquie, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | No advice specific to the region: stay alert and avoid crowds, political gatherings and the vicinity of official buildings. Travel is advised against near the Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian borders. | SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Turquie, sécurité générale (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Switzerland | No advice specific to the region; the risk of attacks persists nationwide. Travel is advised against in the border areas with Syria and Iraq and in Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. | DFAE (Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages, Turquie (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| United Kingdom | No advice specific to the region; only the 10 km strip along the Syrian border is advised against. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks, mostly in the south-east, Ankara and Istanbul. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | GOV.UK (FCDO), Turkey travel advice (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Germany | No advice specific to the region: terrorist threat nationwide, especially in large cities; avoid demonstrations. Travel that is not strictly necessary should be avoided only in the immediate border area with Syria and Iraq. | Auswärtiges Amt, Türkei, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Turkey-specific advice: it refers travellers to the advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 22 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution (level 2 of 4) nationwide; travel is advised against only near the Syrian border and in Hatay, Kilis and Şırnak provinces. | Department of Foreign Affairs (Irlande), Türkiye travel advice (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Sweden | No advice specific to the region; travel is advised against only within 10 km of the Syrian and Iraqi borders and in Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. | Utrikesdepartementet (Suède), UD avråder, Turkiet (Site last updated 28 March 2022) |
| Denmark | Take extra care (yellow), as across the country outside the south-eastern border provinces, because of the risk of unrest and terrorism. | Udenrigsministeriet (Danemark), Rejsevejledning Tyrkiet (Site last updated 17 June 2026) |
| Poland | Level 1 of 4, normal caution, as across the west and centre of the country. | MSZ (Pologne), service Odyseusz, Turcja (Site last updated 15 October 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution, as across the country; strictly avoid crowds and demonstrations. | MZV (Tchéquie), Turecko, bezpečnostní upozornění (Site last updated 12 March 2026) |
| Netherlands | Yellow, as for most of the country: specific security risks. The red and orange areas are along the Syrian and Iraqi borders and in Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. | Nederland Wereldwijd, Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
Rules change: always check the official website before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Edirne as a day trip from Istanbul?
Yes, with 2 h 30 on the road each way without traffic. A night there lets you see the Selimiye quietly, in the evening or early morning.
Is the Selimiye Mosque open to visitors?
Yes. Restored from 2021 to 2026, it reopened for worship on 18 February 2026. Entry is free outside prayer times.
When is the Kırkpınar?
In early July every year. The 2026 edition was held from 3 to 5 July; the 2027 dates have not yet been published.
What is the best season for Edirne?
May-June and September-October, with highs of 21 to 30 °C. July and August average more than 32 °C in the afternoon.
Where should I stay in Edirne?
At Edirne Osmanlı Evleri, two restored century-old mansions in Kaleiçi.
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