Exploring Edirne Beyond Selimiye
While Selimiye Mosque is the star attraction, Edirne is a city rich in history, culture, and cuisine that deserves thorough exploration. Most of the major sights are within walking distance of Selimiye, making it easy to combine several attractions in a single day.
Mosques and Religious Architecture
Old Mosque (Eski Cami) — 5 Minute Walk
The Eski Cami (Old Mosque), completed in 1414, is one of the oldest Ottoman mosques in Edirne and a striking contrast to Selimiye's refined elegance.
- What makes it special: The interior walls are covered with enormous calligraphic inscriptions — single words and phrases written in letters meters tall. The effect is dramatic and entirely different from any other mosque in Turkey.
- Style: Multi-domed prayer hall inspired by the Great Mosque of Bursa
- Entry: Free
- Distance from Selimiye: 400 meters (5 minutes on foot)
Uc Serefeli Mosque — 3 Minute Walk
Uc Serefeli Camii (Mosque of Three Balconies), built 1437–1447, represents an important transitional stage in Ottoman architecture between the multi-domed style and the single-dome style that Sinan would perfect.
- What makes it special: Four minarets, each with a different design and different number of balconies (one has three balconies, giving the mosque its name). The main dome was the largest in the Ottoman world when completed.
- Entry: Free
- Distance from Selimiye: 200 meters (3 minutes on foot)
Bayezid II Complex (Beyazit Kulliyesi) — 2 km
The Beyazit II Kulliye, built 1484–1488, is one of the most impressive Ottoman social complexes outside Istanbul. The complex includes a mosque, medical school, hospital, pharmacy, kitchen, bakery, and bath.
- What makes it special: The Health Museum inside the former hospital is one of the best museums in Edirne, showing how Ottoman physicians treated patients with music therapy and water sounds.
- Entry: Museum ~50 TL
- Distance from Selimiye: 2 km (25 minutes on foot, 5 minutes by taxi)
Museums
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Located within the Selimiye complex itself (in the former madrasa), this museum houses calligraphy, Iznik ceramics, carpets, metalwork, and ethnographic displays from the Edirne region.
- Hours: 09:00–17:30 (summer), 09:00–17:00 (winter), closed Monday
- Admission: ~100 TL
Edirne Archaeology and Ethnography Museum
A short walk south of Selimiye, this museum contains artifacts from the Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods found in the Edirne region.
- Hours: 09:00–17:00, closed Monday
- Admission: ~50 TL
Shopping and Markets
Arasta Bazaar
The Arasta (covered bazaar) was built as part of the original Selimiye complex to generate income for the mosque's upkeep. Today, it remains an active shopping street selling:
- Traditional Edirne soaps (famous throughout Turkey)
- Handcrafted leather goods
- Local honey and food products
- Souvenirs and ceramics
- Edirne's signature rose-scented products
The bazaar is directly adjacent to the mosque — you will likely walk through it when approaching from the south.
Ali Pasa Bazaar
Built in 1569 by Mimar Sinan (the same architect as Selimiye), this covered bazaar is one of the longest in Turkey.
- Location: 300 meters south of Selimiye
- What to buy: Textiles, traditional crafts, leather goods, cheese, and local specialties
- Atmosphere: More authentically local than the tourist-oriented Arasta
Historic Bridges
Meric Bridge (Meric Koprusu)
The elegant Ottoman bridge over the Meric (Maritsa) River is one of Edirne's most photographed landmarks.
- Distance from Selimiye: 1.5 km
- Best time to visit: Sunset, when the bridge and river glow in golden light
- Tip: The riverside area has tea gardens and restaurants — perfect for a rest after mosque visits
Tunca Bridge
The Tunca Bridge, spanning the Tunca River, is another historic Ottoman bridge worth seeing, especially combined with a visit to the Beyazit II Complex nearby.
Edirne's Famous Food
Edirne has one of Turkey's most distinctive culinary traditions. You should not leave without trying:
Tava Ciger (Fried Liver)
Edirne's signature dish — thinly sliced calf's liver, coated in flour and deep-fried until crispy. Served with a pepper relish and raw onions. The best restaurants are near Selimiye:
- Cigerci Niyazi Usta — the most famous, near Uc Serefeli Mosque
- Kofte-ci Yusuf — another local favorite
- Price: 80–150 TL per portion
Badem Ezmesi (Marzipan)
Edirne is Turkey's marzipan capital. The local version is delicately flavored and comes in various shapes and colors.
- Where to buy: Specialized shops on Saraclar Caddesi or the Arasta Bazaar
- Price: 100–200 TL per box
Other Must-Try Foods
- Edirne peyniri: The local white cheese, known for being particularly rich and creamy
- Kaymakli kadayif: A sweet pastry soaked in syrup with thick cream
- Supangle: A chocolate pudding that originated in Edirne
- Damla sakizi dondurmasi: Mastic-flavored ice cream
Day Trip Planning
Half-Day Itinerary (4–5 Hours)
- Selimiye Mosque (45 min)
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (30 min)
- Arasta Bazaar (20 min)
- Walk to Uc Serefeli Mosque (15 min)
- Eski Cami (20 min)
- Lunch: Tava ciger near Uc Serefeli (45 min)
Full-Day Itinerary (8+ Hours)
- Morning: Selimiye Mosque + Museum (1.5 hrs)
- Arasta Bazaar + Ali Pasa Bazaar (1 hr)
- Uc Serefeli + Eski Cami (1 hr)
- Lunch: Tava ciger (1 hr)
- Afternoon: Beyazit II Complex + Health Museum (1.5 hrs)
- Meric Bridge + riverside tea (1 hr)
- Saraclar Caddesi shopping (30 min)
- Badem ezmesi shopping (20 min)
Overnight Recommendation
If you have the time, staying one night in Edirne allows you to:
- Visit Selimiye at both morning and evening light
- Explore the quieter neighborhoods
- Enjoy an unhurried meal at a local restaurant
- See the mosque beautifully illuminated at night
See our hotels guide for accommodation options near Selimiye.