World · 22 Places · Best May–June and September–October
Erzincan
Erzincan is a provincial capital in eastern Turkey set at 1,185 metres in a broad valley carved by the Fırat (Euphrates) River. The province stretches from the volcanic peaks of the Mercan Mountains in the west to the high plateaux bordering Erzurum in the east. Erzincan is renowned throughout Turkey for two things: its exquisite telkari silver filigree jewellery tradition and its Tulum peyniri — a crumbly, pungent cheese matured in a goatskin pouch. The surrounding landscape rewards visitors with deep river gorges, thermal springs, Urartu-era ruins, and one of eastern Turkey's best ski resorts at Ergan Mountain.
Erzincan sits at the crossroads of major Anatolian trade routes and has been settled since at least the Bronze Age. The Mama Hatun Caravanserai complex at Tercan — a masterpiece of Anatolian Seljuk architecture — anchors the region's history, while Altıntepe's Urartu fortress excavations trace a civilisation dating to the 9th century BC. The Kemah Gorge on the Euphrates is one of eastern Turkey's most dramatic landscapes, and the historic town of Kemaliye (Eğin) clings to cliffs above the river in picture-perfect fashion. Ergan Mountain Ski Centre operates at up to 2,800 m and draws visitors from across eastern Turkey each winter. Summers are warm and dry, with highland plateaux offering cooler escapes and superb wildflower meadows.
The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Kemah Gorge and Castle
Kemah sits where the Euphrates River cuts a deep gorge through the mountains west of Erzincan, and the ruined castle occupies a rock spur directly above the town, overlooking the river and the old bridge crossings. The site was a stronghold of the Mengücek Turkish dynasty before the Seljuk and later Ottoman periods, and several rock-cut tombs associated with that dynasty survive on the slopes below the fortress walls. Most of what remains today is eroded stone fortification rather than intact structures, so the visit is really about the setting.
Mama Hatun Külliyesi (Complex)
This Seljuk-era complex in Tercan is built around an unusual circular walled courtyard, a layout rarely seen elsewhere in Anatolian religious architecture. At its center stands the domed türbe (mausoleum) of Mama Hatun, a woman associated with the Mengücekid ruling family, along with a mosque and remains of a caravanserai/hamam grouped within the same enclosure. The circular plan, rather than the more common rectangular külliye layout, is what makes the complex distinctive among Anatolian Seljuk monuments.
Altıntepe Urartu Fortress
Altıntepe is a mound (höyük) near Üzümlü that excavations revealed to be an Urartian fortress and religious complex dating to roughly the 8th-7th centuries BCE, including the remains of a temple and what is believed to have been an audience hall or palace structure. Finds from the site, including painted plaster fragments and bronze objects, showed the Urartians had a fortified presence this far into what is now Erzincan province, on the edges of their kingdom's northern reach. What survives on the ground today is largely wall foundations and the shape of the mound itself, so this suits visitors interested in the archaeology rather than dramatic standing ruins.
Girlevik Waterfall
Girlevik is a waterfall on the outskirts of Erzincan where the water drops over a rock ledge into a pool, fed by mountain snowmelt and springs, making it fullest in spring and early summer. It's a natural landscape stop rather than a historic site, popular with local families as a picnic and short walk destination rather than a major sightseeing draw. Flow noticeably drops later in summer, so the falls look quite different depending on the season you visit.
Ergan Mountain Ski Resort
Ergan Mountain is Erzincan's ski area, developed on the slopes above the city with lift-served runs aimed mainly at domestic winter tourism rather than international ski destinations. It gives skiers and snowboarders access to a mountain right next to a provincial capital, with the city visible from parts of the slopes, rather than the remote alpine setting of Turkey's bigger resorts. The season depends on snowfall and typically runs through the winter months.
Kemaliye (Eğin) Historic Town
Kemaliye, also known by its older name Eğin, is a town of stone and timber Ottoman-era houses built into the steep slopes of the Euphrates gorge, well enough preserved that it sits on Turkey's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The approach road itself is part of the experience, passing through a series of narrow tunnels carved directly into the cliff face along the gorge, which the toll covers. The town's isolation in a deep valley is exactly what kept its historic housing stock intact rather than replaced by modern construction.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Erzincan Explorer
Day 1Arrive in Erzincan, explore city center
Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Erzincan
Days 1-2Erzincan city highlights
Days 3-4Regional exploration
Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Erzincan
Days 1-3Erzincan comprehensive city tour
Days 4-6Northern region exploration
Days 7-9Eastern highlights
Days 10-12Southern attractions
Days 13-14Return to Erzincan, departure
Where to stay in Erzincan
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget 480–1200 TRY / $14.50–36
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range 1200–2750 TRY / $36–82
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury 2700–8500 TRY / $81–255
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Grand Çağrı Hotel
Erzincan city centre · 800–1400 TRY / $24–42 per night
Erzincan is well-connected by air and road. The D070 highway runs east–west through the city linking it to Erzurum (185 km east) and Sivas (225 km west). Intercity coaches serve all major Turkish cities. The Erzincan rail station on the Ankara–Erzurum line provides overnight train connections. Within the province, dolmuş minibuses reach district centres; taxis and private car rental are needed for remote sites.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in TRY, broken out by category.
Category
Budget
Mid-range
Luxury
Accommodation
300–600 TRY / $9–18
700–1400 TRY / $21–42
1500–4000 TRY / $45–120
Food (per day)
100–250 TRY / $3–7.50
250–550 TRY / $7.50–16.50
500–1500 TRY / $15–45
Transportation
80–200 TRY / $2.40–6
150–400 TRY / $4.50–12
400–1500 TRY / $12–45
Activities
0–150 TRY / $0–4.50
100–400 TRY / $3–12
300–1500 TRY / $9–45
Daily total
480–1200 TRY / $14.50–36
1200–2750 TRY / $36–82
2700–8500 TRY / $81–255
Best time to visit Erzincan
Weather through the year in Turkey
Best timeShoulderWorth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Turkey.
Spring (May–June) brings wildflowers to highland plateaux and ideal rafting on the Euphrates tributaries. Autumn (September–October) offers golden landscapes, harvest festivals, and comfortable temperatures. Skiing at Ergan peaks December–March. Summer is warm and dry in the valley but cool at elevation.
Essential travel tips
Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps) before leaving Erzincan city — mobile coverage is patchy in the Kemah and Kemaliye gorges.
Carry cash (TRY) — Erzincan's districts and most rural restaurants and guesthouses do not accept cards.
Tulum peyniri (goatskin-aged cheese) is Erzincan's most prized souvenir; buy from certified producers in the city bazaar or Üzümlü district.
For skiing at Ergan Mountain, rent equipment on-site (ski + boots + poles: 300–500 TRY / $9–15 per day); book lodging in advance for weekends in January and February.
The Erzincan–Kemaliye road via Karanlık Canyon involves a dramatic single-lane tunnel section — drive slowly and use headlights.
Emergency numbers: 112 (ambulance), 155 (police), 156 (gendarmerie for rural areas), 110 (fire). Erzincan State Hospital: +90 446 214 4444.
Erzincan State Hospital (Devlet Hastanesi): Fevzipaşa Mah., Dr. Nusret Karasu Cad., Erzincan; +90 446 214 4444
INFO
For mountain emergencies: contact Jandarma (156) — they coordinate search and rescue in the Mercan and Munzur ranges
INFO
Erzincan Airport is 5 km from city; taxi fare is 80–120 TRY / $2.40–3.60 (metered)
Frequently asked questions
Is Erzincan safe to visit in 2026?
Erzincan ranks among Turkey's safer provincial cities for travellers. Street crime targeting tourists is rare. The most significant risks are natural: winter road ice on mountain routes, spring flooding in gorges, and occasional seismic activity (Erzincan lies near the North Anatolian Fault). Standa
What is the best time to visit Erzincan?
The best time to visit Erzincan is May–June and September–October. Erzincan experiences a classic Eastern Anatolian continental climate: hot summers, cold snowy winters, and brief but beautiful springs and autumns. Average annual precipitation is around 380 mm — rela
What currency is used in Erzincan?
The currency in Erzincan is the Turkish Lira (TRY). ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
What language is spoken in Erzincan?
The main language(s) spoken in Erzincan: Turkish, Kurdish, Zazaki. In tourist areas, English is generally understood. Learning a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated by locals.
What are the top attractions in Erzincan?
The top attractions in Erzincan include Kemah Gorge and Castle, Mama Hatun Külliyesi (Complex), Altıntepe Urartu Fortress, Girlevik Waterfall, and Ergan Mountain Ski Resort. Each offers a unique experience, from historic landmarks to natural wonders.
