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Edirne, a Turkish city located next to the borders of Greece and Bulgaria, is a small city with a rich history. It’s home to some of the most magnificent mosques in Turkey.
History
The city was once known as Hadrianopolis (Αδριανούπολη), as it was founded and developed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. After spending over a thousand years in the Roman and Byzantine empires, it fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1363 and served as their second capital until 1453. Throughout history, the city has been one of the most hotly contested spots on earth.
Why Visit
Edirne makes a wonderful day trip from Istanbul and an even better overnight trip. The city has a lot to offer as far as Ottoman architecture, specifically mosques. Each mosque has its own unique features and story. There are also a handful of interesting and low-priced museums to visit.
Getting There
Edirne is about a three hour journey from Istanbul by bus. There are several companies offering several journeys daily, but I usually travel with Metro Turizm. If you go to Istanbul’s Esenler Bus Terminal, you can probably be on a bus within 15 minutes. The Edirne Bus Terminal (Edirne Otogarı) is on the outskirts of the city.
Once at the bus terminal, there may be a free transfer service to the historic city center provided by your bus company. If not, you might have to take a taxi or a city bus to get into town.
Getting Around
It’s easy to get around Edirne on foot. Most of the tourist sites are located in a very small and compact area of the city center. Even the sites outside the city center, such as Edirne Palace and the Bayezid II Complex, are reachable on foot in about 15 to 20 minutes. To get to the suburb of Karaağaç, however, you’ll need to rent a bike or take a bus or taxi.
If you take one of the city buses, the routes are clearly marked at almost every bus stop. You can pay the fare in cash to the driver. If you don’t have the exact amount, the driver will get your change to you at the first opportunity.
Fried Liver
Edirne is famous for small bits of fried liver called tava ciğer, usually served with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and onions. They’re delicious and can be found in several restaurants in town. They go great with a glass of ayran.
Shopping
For shopping, Edirne is known for fruit scented soaps and badem ezmesi (marzipan). You can find both of them in the bazaars. The fruit soaps come in various shapes and sizes and at various prices.
