Some of the most important ancient sites in and around Van are Altintepe, Kaleci,and Yoncatepe Necropolis, and Tilkitepe, Karagunduz and Dilkaya mounds.
The Bartholomeys, Altinsac and Lim Monastery and Seven Churches in addition to the Husrev Pasa, Kaya Celebi and Izzettin Sir mosques are the religious sites worthy of a visit.
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. It is a saline soda lake receiving its water from small streams from the mountains. Lake Van is one of the world’s largest endorheic lakes (without outlet). The original outlet was blocked by a volcanic eruption from Nemrut Volcano to the west.
Although winters are very harsh the lake never freezes over due to its high salinity. The temperatures in winter in the Van region are very harsh ranging between -3 down to -30C.
You can visit Akdamar Island, a restored Armenian Church by ferry from Edrimet south of Van. Look out for a Van Cat, a breed of cat native to this town and named after it. The Van Cat is noted for its white fur and having one blue and one green eye.