Edirne
Edirne is a Thrace city in Turkey known for its Ottoman monuments, including the Selimiye Mosque and the Uzunköprü Bridge, and for ciğer tava, a local fried liver dish.
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Edirne is a city in Turkey's Thrace region, in the Marmara area, close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders. It is the center of Edirne Province, where the Tunca, Arda and Meriç rivers meet on a lowland plain. The city was the Ottoman capital from 1363 to 1453, until Constantinople (Istanbul) took that role. Its Ottoman monuments are the main reason to go. The Selimiye Mosque, built in 1575 by Mimar Sinan, is the most important and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
The Uzunköprü Bridge, built from 1426 to 1443 over the Ergene river, is described as the world's longest medieval stone bridge. The city also has three covered bazaars: the Kavaflar Arastası, the Bedesten and the Ali Pasha Bazaar. The D-100 highway, which links Europe with Istanbul, passes through Edirne, so many travelers arrive by road. Summers are hot and moderately dry, while winters are chilly, wet and often snowy.
Edirne in five
- Start at Selimiye Mosque and go between prayersSelimiye Mosque and its social complex are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and still a working mosque. Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes, and avoid visiting during prayer times.UNESCO listing
- Walk to the Old Mosque and the covered bazaarThe center is compact, so the Selimiye, the Old Mosque and the covered market are within a short walk. Allow time for a stop at a bakery or a cafe, because the town sets a slow pace.
- Try Edirne's fried liver at lunchEdirne is known for tava ciğer, small pieces of fried liver served with chili and onions. Eat it at lunch at a place with a queue; skip it if you avoid organ meats.
- Decide between a day trip and a nightBuses from Istanbul take roughly 2.5 hours each way, so a day trip leaves about five hours on the ground. Stay a night for the evening in the center and a quiet morning at the mosque.Istanbul
- Add Gallipoli on a western loopEdirne and the Gallipoli Peninsula sit on the same western side of Türkiye, so a road loop can link them via Çanakkale. Decide it before you book, because distances are long.Gallipoli Peninsula
Things to do in Edirne
See all attractions in EdirneNeed to know
- Airport
- Istanbul airports are the practical gateways
- Getting there
- Bus or train from Istanbul, roughly 2.5 hours by road
- Getting around
- On foot; the sights are within a short walk
- Best base
- Near the Selimiye Mosque
- Time needed
- 1 day; 1 night is relaxed
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold
- FebruaryCold
- MarchCool
- AprilMild
- MayWarm
- JuneHot
- JulyHot
- AugustHot
- SeptemberWarm
- OctoberMild
- NovemberCool, wet
- DecemberCold
Right now in Edirne
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
Edirne
11:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°12°95%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Tue15°11°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed12°9°70%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Thu10°4°38%Thursday: Rain. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Fri10°2°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat11°3°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun11°-1°0%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 08:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Selimiye Mosque districtin townThe UNESCO-listed mosque and its complex on a half-day walk.
- Gallipoli Peninsulaabout 3 hours by roadA long day or an overnight to the battlefield sites.Read the guide
- Istanbulabout 2.5 hours by busThe return leg, or the start of a longer trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Edirne
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Rules for Edirne, checked
- Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex are on the UNESCO World Heritage List; the mosque remains a working place of worship.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Edirne
Mosques, bazaars and the Bosphorus
Read the guideGallipoli PeninsulaBattlefields and memorials to the south
Read the guideTürkiye e-VisaCheck whether your passport needs one
Read the guideGetting around TürkiyeFlights, buses and rail between regions
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and cancellation terms
Read the guideAll of TürkiyeCities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip
Read the guideEdirne FAQ
Is Edirne worth visiting?
Yes for the Selimiye Mosque, the old bridges and a calmer pace than Istanbul. It is a cultural stop with little nightlife, so one night is usually enough.
Can you visit Edirne as a day trip from Istanbul?
Yes, by bus or train, but allow roughly 2.5 hours each way. A night gives you more time at the mosque and an evening in the old center.
Is Selimiye Mosque free to enter?
The mosque is a working place of worship, so check entry rules locally. Dress modestly and visit between prayers, and confirm any ticketed areas on site.
What is Edirne famous for?
The Selimiye Mosque, the Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival held in summer, and tava ciğer, small pieces of fried liver. It is also the gateway to Bulgaria and Greece by road.
When is the best time to visit Edirne?
April, May, September and October for mild weather. July and August are hot, and winters are cold and damp, so many visitors skip January and February.