Bitlis is an ancient mountain city in eastern Turkey, perched at 1,550 metres elevation in a dramatic valley carved by the Bitlis Stream. One of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Anatolia, it commands history layered from Urartian times through Armenian, Arab, Seljuk, Kurdish emirate, Ottoman, and modern eras. The city is flanked by rugged peaks exceeding 3,000 metres and sits roughly 75 km west of Lake Van, offering visitors a blend of medieval fortresses, honey-scented bazaars, Seljuk-era stone mosques, and raw highland landscapes largely undiscovered by mass tourism.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Bitlis mountain honey (dağ balı)
Price: 150–600 TRY/kg (~$4–17 USD/kg)
Where: Bitlis Bal Pazarı and Kapalı Çarşı
Otlu peynir (herb cheese)
Price: 80–200 TRY/kg (~$2–6 USD/kg)
Where: Bitlis city centre cheese shops
Pestil (dried fruit leather)
Price: 30–100 TRY per pack (~$0.90–3 USD)
Where: Bitlis bazaar
Ahlat-motif ceramic tiles
Price: 50–300 TRY (~$1.50–9 USD)
Where: Ahlat craft shops near the cemetery
Dried mountain herbs and spice blends
Price: 20–100 TRY per pack (~$0.60–3 USD)
Where: Bitlis Aktarlar Çarşısı
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Bitlis Kapalı Çarşı (Covered Bazaar)
Honey, spices, herbs, cheese, dried fruits
Where: Bitlis city centre
Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–19:00
Tatvan Wednesday Market
Fresh produce, clothing, household goods
Where: Tatvan market square
Hours: Wednesday 07:00–17:00
Tatvan Balık Pazarı
Fresh Lake Van fish
Where: Near Tatvan port
Hours: Daily 07:00–15:00