EDIRNE

Edirne is located on the northwestern part of Turkey , in Thrace Region. It was the 3rd capital city of Ottoman after Sogut and Bursa and this lasted for 88 years. It is a little city that can be done in 2-3 hours. Also in a walking distance to border with Greece. In the restaurants and markets in the city center , you can come across with the markers in Greek , Romanian and Bulgarian Languages. This is because of the daily tourists for shopping to Edirne from Greece , Bulgaria and Romania.

When to Go to Edirne :

I would recommend to visit Edirne especially on spring or autumn because of the continental climate.

How to Go to Edirne :

Edirne is a city for a daily trip. You can reach in 3 hours by bus or by car from Istanbul.

Things to Do in Edirne :

1-) Selimiye Mosque :

Selimiye Mosque is the first and maybe can be the only one to visit. It was built in 1574 by famous turkish architect Sinan and known as his masterpiece. The mosque is already in the List of Unesco World Heritages.

2-) Old Mosque :

Old Mosque is in classical Ottoman era architecture. While this period lasted till 1600 , Old Mosque has a much different artchitecture than Selimiye Mosque. It will be worth to see and it is in 3-4 mins distance by walk from Selimiye Mosque.

3-) Burmese ( 3 Balconies ) Mosque :

Located 5 mins away by walk from Old Mosque. Built nearly same time. So it is one of the 3 historical mosques in the center.

4-) Complex of Bayezid 2 Health Museum :

Located 15 mins by walk from Burmese Mosque. While on the way to complex by walk , you will see that there are still some farms in the city center and this was the first time i ever see in Turkey. You will also pass through Tundzha River on the way. The garden of the complex was so rank and there was grass for around a meter height everywhere. Helth Museum was also closed because of the restoration.

5-) Karaagac Region :

Karaagac is a little , close to Edirne Center , campus area. You can reach in 10 mins by car and 1 hour by walk. I want to explaing the things to do in Karaagac ;

a-) Maritsa Bridge and River :

An old and long bridge on the way to Karaagac , built in 1843. You can also sit at the cafes next to the bridge and enjoy the view.

b-) Trakya University :

You can visit Trakya University Building which was once built as Karaagac Railway Station. You will also see Lousanne Monument in the garden of University.

SHOPPING

1-) Ali Pasha Bazaar :

Ali Pasha Bazaar is an old bazaar to see and also good place for shopping.

FOOD

Edirne is unfortunately not successful about food. There is not anything authentic but Edirne Liver. They cook liver in a different way. Actually i tried in one of the most known restaurant and couldn’t like it. In case you can visit Aydın Tava Ciğer or Niyazi Usta and try liver. One portion will be enough for 2 people i think.

Note : Edirne is not one of the places which must seen. But if you pass through Edirne some day , you can have a stop and finish the center in 2-3 hours.