Balkanabat

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Derivative work by john2690. Other authors listed on source image page.

Balkanabat is a city in Balkan Province, Turkmenistan.

Understand

Balkanabat may serve as a stopover on the trip from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and as starting point for excursions to Dekhistan and the Yangykala Canyon.

Get in

By plane

Turkmenistan Airlines offers flights from Ashgabat to Balkanabat on Tue, Thu and Sat (US $11). Balkanabat airport is 2 km east of the city.

By train

Turkmenistan Railways operate two trains per day from Turkmenbashi and two trains from Ashgabat. The railway station is 1 km west of the central Niyaziv Square.

By bus

The trip from Ashgabat takes about 6 hours. Marshrutkas and shared taxis cost US$2-3, taxis approx. US$15. They arrive in front of the train station.

Get around

Gozli AtaMausoleum of a highly respected Sufi teacher, today a very popular place of pilgrimage
Yangykala Canyonone of the most spectacular natural attractions in Central Asia, 165 km north of Balkhanabat, 160 km east of Turkmenbashi
DekhistanIn medieval times rivalling Merv and Konye Urgench. Today only ruins of two minarets and of the oldest mosque in the country remain. Expect to pay US$50 for the round trip per taxi including waiting time
TarshavatThe picturesque ruins of the Tarshavat caravanserai stand on one of the ancient caravan routes on the Silk Road. The caravanserai is a rectangular building with a stone wall and ruins of residential buildings inside.
Shir Kabir MausoleumDating from the 9th and 10th century. Shir Kabir is one of the oldest surviving mosques on the territory of Turkmenistan. It has a unique mikhrab consisting of three niches one inside the other.

See

Regional History Museum

phone: +993 222 49126

address: Gurgteli Annayew köcesi
Russian Orthodox Church

Buy

Balkanabat Carpet Factory

address: Azady köcesi

Eat

Kafe Ruslan

phone: +993 222 40740

address: Kvartal 201

Sleep

Hotel Nebitchi

phone: +993 222 45335

address: Kvartal 198
5-star hotel, all rooms with satellite TV, excellent restaurants
Hotel Balkan

phone: +993 222 43293

address: Kvartal 225

Go next

By plane

Turkmenistan Airlines offers flight from Balkanabat to Ashgabat on Tu Th and Sa (US $11). Balkanabat airport is 2 km east of the city.

By train

Turkmenistan Railways operate two trains per day to Turkmenbashi and two trains to Ashgabat. The railway station is 1 km west of the central Niyaziv Square.

By bus

The trip to Ashgabat takes about 6 hours. Marshrutkas and shared taxis cost US$2-3, taxis approx. US-$15. They leave in front od the train station.