Major city · Turkmenistan
Anau
Anau is a half-day trip from Ashgabat: see the Neolithic mounds and the dragon mosaic of Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque, then return. Not a base.
Anau, 15 km southeast of Ashgabat, holds two Neolithic settlements (Tell Anau I and II) and the ruined Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque, a Timurid-era site with a rare dragon mosaic. The 1948 earthquake destroyed the mosque, but the mosaic and the pilgrimage tradition remain. Most visitors combine Anau with Nissa or Geok-tepe in a single day out of Ashgabat.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TMT
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- ASB
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…Almost all tourist visas need an invitation letter from a…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Turkmenistan ↗Almost all tourist visas need an invitation letter from a licensed Turkmen operator, issued before you apply; arrivals without one are refused boarding or entry.
- Turkmenistan ↗Independent travel is not the expected model: itineraries are declared to the authorities, and travel outside Ashgabat needs permits your operator arranges.
- Turkmenistan ↗Do not photograph government buildings, presidential palaces, military sites, police, airports or border areas; ask your guide before raising a camera.
- Turkmenistan ↗Foreign cards and ATMs rarely work: bring enough clean, undamaged US dollar or euro notes for the whole trip and change only through official channels.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Anau02 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Anau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Turkmen manat (TMT).Turkmenistan-wide
- SIM or eSIMTMCell (state) sells SIMs to foreigners with a passport; your agency can help.Turkmenistan-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Turkmenistan-wide
- TippingGuide: US$10–20 a day.Turkmenistan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Turkmenistan-wide
- SafetyTurkmenistan is a tightly controlled country; follow your operator's instructions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; basic toilets on the road.Turkmenistan-wide
- Emergency numbers02 police · 01 fire · 03 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on some weekdays; state holidays close everything.Turkmenistan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) northwest; taxi via Ashgabat, about 40 min (check)).ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) northwest; taxi via Ashgabat, about 40 min (check)).
- Getting aroundBus from Teke Bazaar in Ashgabat to Anau's main market, then walk 2 km (1.2 mi) east to the mounds or 4.5 km (2.8 mi) along the M37 to the mosque.Bus from Teke Bazaar in Ashgabat to Anau's main market, then walk 1.2 mi (2 km) east to the mounds or 2.8 mi (4.5 km) along the M37 to the mosque.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 25 km (16 mi) northwest; taxi via Ashgabat, about 40 min (check))ASB Ashgabat International Airport (About 16 mi (25 km) northwest; taxi via Ashgabat, about 40 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Anau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Jul
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus from Teke Bazaar in Ashgabat to Anau's main market, then walk 2 km east to the mounds or 4.5 km along the M37 to the mosque. No public transport reaches the mosque. Arrange a taxi or guided driver from Ashgabat.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ashgabat
goDoor to door: 30–40 min
Bus from Teke Bazaar or taxi, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Bus from Teke Bazaar or taxi, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Return to your base after the half-day trip.
Nissa
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi from Ashgabat, about 20 km (12 mi) northwestTaxi from Ashgabat, about 12 mi (20 km) northwest
Combine with Anau in one day.
Geok-tepe
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi from Ashgabat, about 45 km (28 mi) northwestTaxi from Ashgabat, about 28 mi (45 km) northwest
Requires a full day if paired with Anau.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ashgabat
Anau has no tourist accommodation. Stay in Ashgabat and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day trip from Ashgabat
- TMT 100–250
Watch out
Safety
- The mosque is a ruin after the 1948 earthquake; only the mosaic above the entrance arch remains intact.
- No facilities at the mosque site; bring water and sun protection.
- Independent travel is restricted in Turkmenistan: confirm your visit with your licensed operator.
- The mounds are unmarked and can be hard to find without a guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 02
- Fire
- 01
- Ambulance
- 03
Pocket card
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AnauAnau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Seyit Jemaletdin metjidine, haýyşTo the Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque, please
Emergency
- Police02
- Fire01
- Ambulance03
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ashgabat → Anau by bus: check
- Ashgabat → Anau by taxi: TMT 50–100
Say or show
- Salam — Hello (sah-lam)
- Sag boluň — Thank you (sag bo-lung)
- Näçe? — How much? (na-che)
- Metjit nirede? — Where is the mosque? (met-jit nee-re-de)
Confirm all numbers with your operator.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Anau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Anau
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