Car & Van Hire - Mus

The ancient town of Mus dates back to the 6th century BC. It blends ancient history and culture with beautiful nature. Car hire in Mus is the ideal way to see the city at its best. This way, you'll have access to the many lakes in this stunning region, and you can head out from the city to enjoy the lush greenery that surrounds it.

There are several ancient castles in and around Mus, but in many cases, their exact provenance is unknown. One example is Mus Castle, right in the centre of the city. Historians do not know exactly when it was built, but it dates back to at least the 7th century when it played a key role in the city's defence against the invading Mongols. A municipal park surrounds the castle. This is one of the most popular spots for locals to spend their free time with a stroll around the shady green grounds.

The Grand Mosque of Mus stands at the foot of the castle's grounds. It was built in 1571, but the minaret you can see today is a modern replica of the original. You can see inside the mosque, but remember, this is a house of worship. To enter, you will need to have your shoulders covered, and shorts are not permitted. Women must cover their hair. Once inside, you will need to remove your shoes. Visitors cannot enter during prayer times.

When it's time to relax, what could be better than a soothing Turkish bath? Mus has a particularly special site, the Alaaddin Bey Hammam. This Ottoman-era hammam, which has interesting decorations, including a relief of a tortoise, is still in use today. You can enjoy all the benefits of a Turkish bath while also admiring the traditional Ottoman decor.

Car or van hire in Mus lets you explore the surrounding area. You can enjoy a great day trip to Kayalidere, a historical site 40 km from the city. The castle and rock-cut tomb date back to the 8th century BC and are remarkably well-preserved. They were built by the Urartian civilisation that once controlled much of this part of Turkey. Urartu fell in the early 6th century BC, but some relics survive to this day. The rock-cut tomb is particularly interesting, with six separate rooms carved into the stone.

Mus is on the small side for a Turkish city, and it doesn't have a very significant rush hour. Nevertheless, you might want to avoid the city centre roads between 07:00 and 09:00 and again from 16:30 to 18:30, when traffic is at its heaviest.

You will find ample parking around Mus city centre. On-street parking is available in some areas, but it is usually more convenient to find an "Oto Park". These are Turkey's large, multi-storey car parks. Cars can be parked here in alarmingly tight spots, but don't panic. The attendant will be happy to take your keys and park for you if you don't fancy the squeeze!

If you do find on-street parking, ensure you are carrying cash to pay for it. There are no parking meters in Turkey. Instead, an attendant will approach you as you park, and you should pay him directly.

Visitors to Mus are often travelling to the city as part of a larger road trip. If you are driving between cities in Turkey, ensure that your car has an HGS transponder. These small devices take different forms, most commonly a windscreen sticker fitted with an electronic chip. An HGS transponder is the only way to pay tolls. Turkey has an extensive network of toll roads that stretch across the country. The good news is that the money made by tolls ensures that the highways are in great condition – the bad news is that you have to pay! If your car does not have an HGS device, you will be hit with a hefty fine. Credit cards and cash are not accepted at toll booths.

The province of Mus is one of the snowiest parts of Turkey, with heavy snowfall that is usually at its peak in January. If you are visiting in winter, you should be prepared for adverse conditions on the roads. In general, you will find the highways well-maintained. When it snows, they are frequently treated with grit for a safer driving experience. It's a good idea to stick to the highways in winter rather than heading out onto the smaller country roads. These are not gritted as often, so the surfaces can be slippery. In particular, watch out for the dreaded black ice, a frequent cause of accidents.

When driving on country roads at any kind of year, watch out for animals. Never honk your horn at passing goats, or they might respond aggressively.