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Voykit pocket guide · Turkmenistan
Nissa
Nisa
Visit Nissa for a half‑day stop to see the Parthian fortresses; combine with Ashgabat stay.
Nissa (Old and New Nisa) holds the UNESCO‑listed Parthian fortresses, a compact archaeological park about 15 km southwest of Ashgabat. The site fits a half‑day walk, best explored with a guide from Ashgabat.
- Country
- Turkmenistan
- Local name
- Nisa
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Stay
- Half day nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TMT
- Money
- Currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT). The official rate and the street rate differ widely: do not change money on the street; ask your operator how to change.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₮10–15 TMT excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- TMCell (state) sells SIMs to foreigners with a passport; your agency can help.
- Emergency
- Police 101 · Fire and ambulance 102
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit.
- Tipping
- Guide: US$10–20 a day.; Driver: US$5–10 a day.
- Water
- Bottled only.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels; basic toilets on the road.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Minibus from Ashgabat to Nissa | $0.20 |
| Site entry | $1 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ASB · Ashgabat International Airport
- Taxi or minibus to Ashgabat city, then bus to Nissa (15 km (9.3 mi)).Taxi or minibus to Ashgabat city, then bus to Nissa (9.3 mi (15 km)).
Typical fares
- Ashgabat → Nissa minibus
- about $0.20 per person, 30 min
- Site entry
- US$1 per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
From Ashgabat, take a minibus (marshrutka) from Teke Bazaar west side; walk 2 km (1.2 mi) uphill from Bagyr village to the ruins. The site is walkable.From Ashgabat, take a minibus (marshrutka) from Teke Bazaar west side; walk 1.2 mi (2 km) uphill from Bagyr village to the ruins. The site is walkable.
See and do
Known for
- Parthian Fortresses
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- Ancient royal residence
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ashgabat | Minibus from Teke Bazaar west side, about 30 min, then 2 km (1.2 mi) walk to Nissa siteMinibus from Teke Bazaar west side, about 30 min, then 1.2 mi (2 km) walk to Nissa site | ≈ 1 h total |
Sleep
- Ashgabat city hotels
- Base for Nissa visits; 15 km (9.3 mi) drive, 30 min by taxi or minibus.Base for Nissa visits; 9.3 mi (15 km) drive, 30 min by taxi or minibus.
Language
Turkmen, a Turkic language close to Azerbaijani and Turkish, is the state language, written in Latin script since the 1990s. Russian is understood by many older and urban people. English is rare outside tour guides and top hotels.
- Salam (hello), sag boluň (thank you).
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake between men with both hands for elders; avoid: Greeting women with a handshake unless offered
- Public talk: Keep politics out of conversation; avoid: Questions that put your guide at risk
- Home: Shoes off; accept tea; avoid: Stepping on the dastarkhan cloth
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited shade on the hill; bring water and sun protection.
Nissa is safe for visitors; the main risk is the remote desert environment – bring water, sun protection and travel with a guide.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nissa yet. Suggested stay: Half day nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Parthian Fortresses
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- Ancient royal residence
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- UNESCO World Heritage – Nissa: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1199
- Wikivoyage: Nissa, revision 5221215 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5221215
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nissa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.