Akdamar Kilisesi image

Akdamar Kilisesi

Tourist attraction Church Chapel Armenian church

One of the Best Places To Visits in Gevaş


Address

Akdamar Adası, Van, 65700 Gevaş/Van, Türkiye

Contact

+90 543 258 98 94

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (2.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Tuesday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Wednesday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Thursday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Friday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 8 AM to 8 PM
  • Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: island (19) church (14) visit (8) time (6) beautiful (6) small (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Paul L. 7 months ago on Google
    After paying 90 TL for the boat, we arrived on the island and had to pay a compulsory fee to be able to visit, and on top of that we had to pay 290 TL while Turkish people had to pay 60 TL. This is the image that Turkey gives. shameful.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Z.B. B. 4 years ago on Google • 33 reviews
    This is another breathtaking place. If it is winter with lots of snow and below -20 kind of arctic cold then make sure there is a boat waiting for you otherwise you have to wait until they have enough passenger to justify the ride in that weather (no blame ). But it is worth every minute of your struggle so no matter the roadblocks, do whatever you can and go there. Locals say spring time is another story to visit the place with all the surrounding almond trees in bloom so i guess we will have to come back and gladly so 😉
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 adnan akif k. 3 months ago on Google • 75 reviews New
    Extraordinary island, extraordinary church. Very beautiful on the outside but very destroyed on the inside. It was a bit disappointing to see the inside like that, but just going to the island is very exciting. You should definitely go.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michel El H. 4 years ago on Google
    With a 15 minutes boat trip you arrived to a peaceful I land where you can see the most old Armenian church in the area, this old architectural tells you a stores of salvation by Jesus Christ by sculpture and engraving over all the 4 facades.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nida F. 1 year ago on Google • 155 reviews
    I liked everything except the dirty toilets, otherwise; I would give 5 stars. Some people say that you pay extra money when you get to the island but its not extra money, if you have a museum card, you dont pay any money. The card is cheap and valid for a year. The island is worth seeing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 SoYa T. 2 years ago on Google • 138 reviews
    It is so a beautiful church on the Akdamar island. I was amazed by the outside of the walls.👍🏼You can see the church inside as free. Not a big church but the frescoes on the wall in the main service room is so beautiful. On the Outside of the wall, there are different Bible stories a relief carving which is amazed me!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nicholas U. 4 years ago on Google • 115 reviews
    Try to avoid coming here in the middle of the summer if it is possible, but otherwise this island is a great experience. There are walking trails to take in the beauty of the island and lake Van, and the jewel is the 1000 year old Armenian church. There is also a gift shop and tea house on the island, perfect for resting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alex K. 6 months ago on Google • 162 reviews
    A stunning location. Ok, it is not a secret and everyone knows it, but a must to visit. Very popular, but you can find quiet places on the island

  • 5/5 soroush m. 11 months ago on Google • 149 reviews
    great nature Be sure to go on a pleasure boat and spend some time there Full of wild and beautiful rabbits and turtles Very good weather

  • 5/5 Ahmet İhsan K. 2 years ago on Google
    The church was built around 10th century and famous for its unique carvings of historical figures and events narrated in Bible. Each side of the church consists carvings of the authors of the four Gospel, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. You can visit the church by ferry from Gevas which is around 40 km to Van city center. The round ticket is 25 TL.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Aleemir 4 years ago on Google
    It’s an ancient and local church built on a small island near Van of Turkey. Visiting all the place takes around 10 to 30 minutes depending on you. Visiting this island takes around 2 to 3 hrs. It’s a good place for swimming and it has very clear water. Except the main hall there are a couple of chambers built with stone and small window and they are really dark and creepy. There is a story about this place which you can read in wikipedia (akdamar island). If you have 3 days in Van, it’s highly recommended to visit here.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohammed A. 2 years ago on Google
    The best of all places I visit from Diyarbakır to Van city, I'm in love with this Island and this church, especially in this winter time, when it's empty and no one is there, we was so comfortable enjoying the moment my wife and I, but I would like to come back there again in spring time, I would try to swim there, and chill, see relax, there is also a cafe there, and small store if you want to buy some memories, also I enjoy watching rabbits 🐰 there out. I can't explain more you have to visit for sure ❤️ I recommended
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 hilal p. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a great time there. If I have time, I will visit this island and the church again in the winter

  • 3/5 Hamish R. 5 months ago on Google • 13 reviews
    A bit underwhelming to be honest. As a foreigner it costs 290TL but the island and church is less impressive than other similarly priced attractions. There is also the additional cost of the boat to get there (which admittedly provides excellent views of the lake). The church is beautiful and the art was very interesting but it's quite small. The island itself is nice but there was rubbish everywhere and most of the island is fenced off so you can only access a small part. Toilets were free but smelled awful.

  • 5/5 Thomas S. 7 months ago on Google
    Incredible historical monument in a magnificent site

  • 3/5 Sardar T. 9 months ago on Google
    Very nice historical place

  • 5/5 Paphlagonia T. 1 year ago on Google
    As a Church architect unique in Anatolia and my fav architectural statue.

  • 5/5 Andre L. 2 years ago on Google
    Brilliant experience. A historic building on a beautiful island which you reach by ferryboat. There is a small café on the island. Also you are able to see some grey rabbits.


Call +90 543 258 98 94 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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