The Tunca river loops around the north and west of Edirne's old city, and the walk along its banks connects several of the city's major monuments in a sequence that makes the geography of Ottoman Edirne legible. Following the path north from the old city takes you past the Beyazit II complex, then out along the river toward the island where the New Palace once stood. The route passes through willow-shaded meadows and over Ottoman-era stone bridges, with the domes and minarets of the city visible across the water.
The river is at its most atmospheric in the early morning, when mist rises off the water and the city is quiet. Fishermen work the banks year-round, and in spring the meadows flood slightly, creating reflections of the mosque domes that are among the more photogenic views in Edirne. The walk is approximately 3 km from the old city to the New Palace ruins at Sarayiçi, passing the Beyazit II complex about halfway. It can be done comfortably in an hour and makes a good alternative to staying within the main tourist circuit.