Turkey Erzurum Tours

Regardless of the season, Erzurum tourist attractions for travelers include outdoor activities and historical sights, making it a diverse destination for tourists. Erzurum tourism is based at Palandoken Ski Center. Erzurum is on the Eastern Express route, which has become so popular in the last decade, particularly in the snowy months of January and February. Ulu Mosque, Osvank Monastery, Yakutiye Madrasa, and Cobandede Bridge are just a few of the best places to visit in Erzurum. The Valley of Butterflies in Tortum district, the Seven Lakes of Ispir, and one of the best rafting routes in Turkey, the Coruh River, will take you to the unique atmosphere of the steppes. The best time to visit Erzurum is year-round because there are so many things to do in Erzurum, both in the winter and summer seasons.

100+ tours & activities

Erzurum Tours cover a high altitude city in eastern Anatolia that has functioned for centuries as a crossroads between Anatolia, the Caucasus and Persia. Sitting at roughly 1,900 meters above sea level, Erzurum pairs Seljuk and Ottoman monuments with a modern reputation as one of Turkey's leading winter sports destinations.

Erzurum connects into a broader Turkey itinerary through eastern Anatolian routes, and is a common stop for travelers riding the Eastern Express, a long distance train popular for its winter mountain scenery.

Seljuk Landmarks in the City Center

The Çifte Minareli Madrasa, with its twin fluted minarets, is Erzurum's best known building and dates to the thirteenth century Seljuk period. Nearby, the Yakutiye Madrasa now houses a museum of Turkish and Islamic art, while the Ulu Mosque and the stone Çobandede Bridge, spanning the Aras river, add further layers of Seljuk and Ottoman era construction to a city walk.

Palandöken and Winter Sports

Palandöken Ski Center, on the mountain range just south of the city, offers some of the longest ski runs in Turkey along with a long winter season and reliable snowfall. The resort draws skiers from within Turkey and abroad from December through March, and its slopes are visible from much of the city center.

The Eastern Express and Winter Travel

Erzurum sits on the route of the Eastern Express, a train service between Ankara and Kars that has become popular in the past decade for its snow covered landscapes, particularly in January and February. Many travelers break their journey in Erzurum to combine the train experience with the city's historic sites.

Nature Around Erzurum

Outside the city, the Tortum Valley, known locally for its waterfall and butterfly populations, and the Uzundere district's terraced landscapes offer a greener contrast to the city's high plateau setting. The Çoruh River, further east, is regarded as one of Turkey's leading whitewater rafting rivers.

Food and Local Tours

Erzurum's cuisine includes cağ kebab, meat grilled horizontally on a rotating skewer, and a range of dairy products from the surrounding highlands. Visitors can also join the Daily Erzurum Cooking Lesson & Shopping Tour to learn regional recipes and browse local markets.

Best Time to Visit Erzurum

Erzurum works as a year round destination. Winter suits skiing at Palandöken and travel on the Eastern Express, while summer offers milder conditions for exploring the city's Seljuk architecture and nearby valleys.

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