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.
Getting to Erzurum is easiest by air. Taxis and airport shuttles connect the airport to the city centre in 15–20 minutes. Within the city, buses and dolmuş are cheap and cover most routes. Hiring a car is recommended for day trips to Tortum, Narman and İspir as public transport to those areas is infrequent.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Erzurum Airport handles heavy traffic during ski season — arrive 90 minutes before domestic flights
The Doğu Ekspresi train sells out weeks in advance during winter ski season and summer; book via tcdd.gov.tr
Buy an HES card for city buses from the terminal kiosk — cash is not accepted on EBB buses
Hire a car if planning day trips to Tortum Lake, Narman Fairy Chimneys or İspir — public transport is infrequent on these routes