Erzurum is a historic city at 1,890 metres elevation in northeastern Turkey, commanding the high plateau where ancient Silk Road caravans once crossed. The city holds one of Turkey's finest concentrations of Seljuk and Mongol architecture — the Çifte Minareli Medrese, Yakutiye Medresesi and Üç Kümbetler tombs stand beside an Ottoman castle with sweeping panoramas. Fifteen kilometres from the centre, Palandöken mountain hosts one of the Middle East's premier ski resorts. Erzurum is the birthplace of cağ kebabı, the horizontally-spit-roasted lamb unique to the region, and the origin of oltu taşı jet-stone jewellery.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Oltu Taşı (Jet Stone) jewellery
Price: 100–5000+ TRY / $3–150+
Where: Kapalı Çarşı basement workshops; ask to see the craftsmen at work
Erzurum carpet and kilim
Price: 500–15000+ TRY / $15–450+
Where: Taşhan caravanserai and bazaar shops
Local honey (dağ balı)
Price: 100–400 TRY / $3–12 per jar
Where: Saturday market and bazaar
Dried mulberries and apricots
Price: 50–150 TRY / $1.50–4.50 per 250g
Where: Kapalı Çarşı spice section
Copper kitchenware (bakır işleme)
Price: 200–2000 TRY / $6–60
Where: Coppersmith workshops near the bazaar
Erzurum Kadayıfı (boxed)
Price: 80–200 TRY / $2.40–6
Where: Sweets shops (pastane) in the city centre
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Erzurum Kapalı Çarşı
Oltu taşı jewellery, carpets, kilims, copperware, dried fruits, local spices
Where: Taşhan Mahallesi, Erzurum city centre
Hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–19:00; some stalls open Sunday
Cumartesi Pazarı (Saturday Market)
Fresh local vegetables, cheese, honey, dried fruits, nuts, eggs from highland farms
Where: Yenişehir Mahallesi, Erzurum
Hours: Saturdays 07:00–14:00
Rustem Pasha Caravanserai (Taşhan)
Carpets, kilims, traditional Turkish crafts, silver jewellery, ceramics
Where: Taşhan district, Erzurum
Hours: Daily 09:00–19:00