- Home to the UNESCO-listed Selimiye Mosque, Sinan's masterpiece
- Kırkpınar oil wrestling takes place in early summer
- About two and a half to three hours from Istanbul by coach
- Try tava ciğer, the city's thinly sliced fried liver
- Airports
- Istanbul (IST), about 2.5-3 hours by road
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Edirne sits in the far north-west corner of Turkey, a few kilometres from both Greece and Bulgaria. Founded by the Romans as Hadrianopolis, it served as the Ottoman capital for nearly a century before the conquest of Constantinople, and it still has some of the finest Ottoman buildings anywhere. It belongs to Turkey's Marmara region.
For UK visitors it makes a rewarding add-on to an Istanbul break, either as a long day trip or, better, an overnight stay. It is a relaxed university city with a strong regional identity, good food and far fewer tourists than Istanbul. For wider planning, see our Turkey guide.
Things to do
- Selimiye Mosque – built by the architect Sinan in the 1570s and listed by UNESCO, with a vast single dome and four slender minarets that dominate the skyline.
- Eski Cami and Üç Şerefeli Mosque – two earlier mosques that show how Ottoman architecture developed before Selimiye.
- Sultan Bayezid II Complex – a 15th-century foundation across the river with a health museum in the old hospital, where music and water were used in treatment.
- Kırkpınar – the oil-wrestling festival, held every year in early summer at Sarayiçi, is thought to be one of the oldest sporting events still running.
- The bridges – Ottoman stone bridges over the Tunca and Meriç rivers, especially lovely at sunset.
- Karaağaç – a leafy district near the Greek border with a grand old railway station, now part of Trakya University, and a monument to the Treaty of Lausanne.
- Food – tava ciğer (fried liver) with crisp chillies is the local dish, and almond sweets called badem ezmesi are a classic gift.
Where to stay
- Around Selimiye and the old centre – walkable, with small hotels and restored Ottoman buildings.
- Near the bridges and Karaağaç – quieter, with riverside cafés and tea gardens.
Getting there
Fly from the UK to Istanbul Airport (IST), about four hours, then take a coach to Edirne, which usually takes two and a half to three hours. Buses leave frequently from Istanbul's main coach stations. Edirne is also the last Turkish city before the Kapıkule border crossing into Bulgaria, so it fits well into an overland route through the Balkans.
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn bring mild, sunny days that suit walking between the mosques and bridges. Summer is warm and busy around Kırkpınar, when hotels fill up, so book early if you want to see the wrestling. Winters are cold and grey, but the mosques are just as impressive with fewer visitors.
Dress modestly for the mosques, and avoid visiting during Friday midday prayers.
Top attractions in Edirne
Edirne on the map
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Edirne as a day trip from Istanbul?
Yes, but you will spend five or six hours on the road. An overnight stay lets you see Selimiye in the evening light and the bridges at sunset.
When is Kırkpınar?
It is held over several days in late June or early July each year. Check the exact dates before planning a trip around it.
Is Edirne close to Greece and Bulgaria?
Very. The Greek and Bulgarian borders are only a short drive from the city centre, and the main Bulgarian crossing is at Kapıkule.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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