Erzurum

Erzurum sits on a high plateau in Eastern Anatolia at nearly 1,900 meters above sea level, making it Turkey's highest large city. Founded in antiquity as Theodosiopolis, it has passed through Armenian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman hands, and that layered history shows up everywhere in its skyline - Seljuk-era madrasas and mausoleums sit alongside a Byzantine-founded citadel and later Ottoman mosques.

Modern Erzurum is best known within Turkey as the country's winter sports capital, thanks to the slopes of Mount Palandöken just outside the city, and as a stop on the scenic Eastern Express rail route toward Kars. It sees relatively few foreign visitors compared to Turkey's coastal cities, which makes it a rewarding stop for travelers interested in Seljuk architecture, mountain landscapes, and a cuisine found almost nowhere else in the country.

Summer (June–August)

Summers are sunny and can get warm during the day, with highs reaching into the low-to-mid 30s°C (90s°F), but the high altitude means nights stay cool even in August. This is the most comfortable season for sightseeing on foot and for day trips into the surrounding countryside.

Winter (November–March)

Winters are long, harsh, and snowy - Erzurum is one of Turkey's coldest cities, with January averages around -10°C (14°F) and cold snaps that can drop well below -20°C (-4°F). This is also peak season for skiing at Palandöken, which has a long season running from November into spring.

Spring & Autumn

Spring (April–May) is unstable, with lingering snow, wind, and the year's heaviest rainfall, while autumn (September–October) offers a calmer, drier transition with fewer visitors than the ski season or midsummer.

Erzurum Airport (ERZ), about 17 km east of the city center, is the region's main air gateway, with regular domestic flights from Istanbul and Ankara and a limited number of seasonal international connections. The city is also a stop on the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi), a long-distance overnight train from Ankara that has become a popular, scenic way to reach the region, particularly in winter when the snow-covered landscape along the route draws its own following.

Long-distance buses connect Erzurum with major Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Trabzon, though journey times are long given the distance and mountainous terrain.

Erzurum's historic center is compact and walkable, with most of the major Seljuk and Ottoman monuments within easy reach of each other. For longer distances, city buses and shared taxis (dolmuş) are inexpensive and cover the wider city, including routes out toward Palandöken.

Taxis are widely available and reasonably priced. Reaching Palandöken itself is straightforward by taxi, shuttle, or dolmuş, with the ski resort only about 10–15 minutes from the city center.

Çifte Minareli Medrese (Twin Minaret Madrasa)

Erzurum's most iconic monument and the largest Seljuk madrasa in Anatolia, built in the late 13th century with an ornately carved portal, twin fluted minarets, and a distinctive 10-sided mausoleum at its rear.

Erzurum Citadel (Kale)

A fortress with roots in the Byzantine era, later expanded under Seljuk and Ottoman rule, offering panoramic views over the city and mountains from its clock tower.

Yakutiye Medresesi

A 14th-century Seljuk theological school with a single elegant minaret, now housing exhibits on Turkish-Islamic art and regional crafts.

Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque)

Completed in 1179, this is one of Erzurum's oldest and most significant mosques, notable for its rows of stone columns and quietly monumental interior.

Erzurum Congress Building & Atatürk House Museum

The building where the 1919 Erzurum Congress was held, a pivotal early meeting in the Turkish War of Independence, alongside the house where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed at the time - both are essential stops for anyone interested in the founding of the Turkish Republic.

Üç Kümbetler (Three Tombs)

A cluster of Seljuk-era mausoleums near the citadel, distinctive for their conical stone roofs and decorative brickwork.

Mount Palandöken

Turkey's best-known ski resort, with the country's longest ski runs, reliable snow from November into spring, and lift-served slopes just minutes from the city center; in summer the same mountain draws hikers instead.

Old Erzurum Houses (Taşhan and restored Ottoman houses)

A cluster of restored Ottoman-era stone houses and a historic caravanserai in the old town, now used as cafes and restaurants where visitors can relax over tea in a centuries-old setting.

Old Town / Citadel Quarter

The hilly area around Erzurum Castle, with narrow streets, traditional houses, and most of the city's historic monuments within walking distance of each other.

Yakutiye

The modern commercial heart of the city, home to shops, cafes, and everyday city life, and a good base for accessing both the old town and the routes out to Palandöken.

Palandöken

The ski resort area on the edge of the city, with hotels, lifts, and slopes that transform from a winter sports hub into a quieter hiking base once the snow melts.

Erzurum has one of the most distinctive regional cuisines in Turkey, shaped by its high altitude, cold climate, and mountain pastoral traditions. Its most famous dish, cağ kebabı, is a horizontally skewered, rotisserie-style lamb kebab that's carved onto flatbread - a close relative of döner but prepared and served very differently, and a point of local pride with dueling restaurants each claiming the most authentic version.

• Cağ kebabı - Erzurum's signature horizontally-rotated lamb skewer, usually served with flatbread, onions, and yogurt
• Kadayıf dolması - a local dessert of shredded pastry wrapped around walnuts, fried, and soaked in syrup, traditionally served after a cağ kebabı meal
• Su böreği - a layered, boiled-then-baked pastry, popular as a savory starter
• Çivil and göğermiş cheese - two distinctive local dairy products worth seeking out at markets or breakfast spreads
• Kadayıf ice cream (dondurma) - a regional specialty combining Erzurum's famous kadayıf pastry with ice cream

Staying in the city center, near Yakutiye or the old town, puts visitors within walking distance of the main historic sights and restaurants. For a ski-focused trip, staying up at Palandöken itself - home to several hotels right at the base of the lifts - cuts out the commute and suits winter visitors best.

Erzurum is generally affordable compared to Turkey's coastal resort towns, though prices at Palandöken's slope-side hotels rise noticeably during peak ski season (December–March), so booking ahead is worthwhile for winter trips.

Tortum Waterfall & Uzundere

About 1.5 to 2 hours northeast of Erzurum, the Uzundere district combines Turkey's tallest waterfall, Tortum Şelalesi (48 meters high), with Tortum Lake and a glass-floored observation terrace suspended above it. The drive up is one of the most scenic in the region, passing through the green Çoruh Valley.

Öşvank Monastery & Georgian Churches

Tucked into the same Uzundere district, Öşvank is a well-preserved 10th-century Georgian Orthodox church known for its carved stone reliefs, and it's often combined with a visit to nearby İşhan church and other Georgian-era ruins scattered through the Çoruh Valley.

Narman Fairy Chimneys

A cluster of striking red rock formations east of the city, often described as a smaller, quieter cousin of Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, and an easy add-on to a day exploring the region's natural scenery.

Ilıca & Pasinler Thermal Springs

Two well-known thermal spring areas near Erzurum offer a relaxing soak, either as a standalone half-day trip or as a stop on the way back from a longer excursion into the surrounding countryside.

Erzurum is generally a safe, calm city for visitors, with violent crime against tourists uncommon. As in any Turkish city, ordinary precautions apply around bus stations and crowded markets, and it's sensible to keep an eye on belongings in busy areas.

Winter driving and walking conditions are the more practical hazard here - heavy snow, icy pavements, and sub-zero temperatures are the norm from November through March, so proper winter footwear and clothing matter more than in most Turkish destinations.

Erzurum is inexpensive relative to Istanbul and Turkey's coastal resort areas, with affordable local restaurants, transport, and mid-range accommodation. The main exception is Palandöken during peak ski season, when slope-side hotel prices climb well above the city's usual rates.

Cash remains useful for smaller restaurants and markets, though cards are widely accepted in the city center and at hotels. ATMs are readily available throughout Erzurum.

Erzurum is a conservative city by Turkish standards, and modest dress is appreciated, particularly for women visiting mosques - a headscarf and covered shoulders and knees are expected. Remove your shoes before entering mosques and most homes.

Hospitality runs deep in this part of Turkey; being offered tea is a normal social gesture and is polite to accept even briefly. Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants. As in much of Eastern Anatolia, English is not widely spoken outside hotels and tour operators, so a translation app or a few Turkish phrases are helpful.