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 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 — relatively dry compared to coastal Turkey. Summers (June–August) average 28–33°C in the valley but can drop to 10°C at night. Winters are harsh: January averages -5°C to 2°C in the city, with temperatures at Ergan Mountain regularly reaching -15°C.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- July–August
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Notes
- Domestic Turkish tourists, especially from urban eastern Turkey; Ergan and highland areas busiest
- Period
- January–February
- Crowd level
- Moderate (ski season)
- Notes
- Ergan Mountain fills with ski visitors on weekends; city is quiet
- Period
- May–June
- Crowd level
- Low
- Notes
- Ideal weather but few foreign tourists; best overall experience
- Period
- September–October
- Crowd level
- Low
- Notes
- Autumn harvest and harvest festivals; excellent conditions with minimal crowds
- Period
- November, March, April
- Crowd level
- Very low
- Notes
- Shoulder season; cheapest prices and emptiest sites
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Bonfires and community celebrations across the province, especially in Alevi villages
Annual festival celebrating local cherry harvest; music, food stalls and folk dancing in the city park
Amateur and semi-professional ski races at Ergan Mountain Ski Resort; accommodation fills on race weekends