Eskişehir is a vibrant university city in western Anatolia, known as Turkey's "student capital" and the birthplace of meerschaum carving. The Porsuk River winds through the city centre past Venetian-style canals, gondola rides, and colourful bridges. The historic Odunpazarı district preserves beautifully restored Ottoman timber houses and is on Turkey's tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. Eskişehir hosts two major universities — Anadolu University and Eskişehir Technical University — whose combined enrolment of over 100,000 students gives the city a youthful, progressive energy unusual for inner Anatolia.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Eskişehir has a noticeably liberal and secular culture compared to most Turkish cities — the large student population drives this
Alcohol is widely available at cafés, bars, and restaurants; there is no pressure to drink or not drink
University life dominates the city's social calendar; expect the city to be livelier September–May than July–August
Meerschaum carving is the city's traditional craft — watching artisans work in Odunpazarı workshops is a cultural experience in itself
Turks in Eskişehir are generally friendly to foreign visitors and often speak basic English, especially younger people
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Accept çay (tea) when offered — it is a sign of welcome and hospitality
- Try the local çibörek from street stalls — asking about the recipe delights local vendors
- Visit Odunpazarı meerschaum workshops and ask to see the carving process
- Learn a few Turkish phrases (see below) — locals respond very warmly to foreign visitors who try
- Take the canal boat at least once, especially in the evening when the bridges are illuminated
Don't
- Don't skip removing shoes before entering mosques
- Don't assume everyone speaks English — have Turkish phrases ready for transactions outside tourist areas
- Don't buy meerschaum without checking for an authenticity certificate — imitation is common in tourist-facing shops
- Don't discuss politics (especially Kurdish issues, Atatürk, or the military) unless the Turkish person raises it first
- Don't photograph military installations or police checkpoints
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Teşekkür ederim
Lütfen
Evet / Hayır
Ne kadar?
Nerede?
Su lütfen
Hesap lütfen
İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
Sağlıcakla kalın
Güzel / Harika
Çok güzel!
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Eskişehir.
Items:
- Topic
- Islam in Eskişehir
- Details
- Eskişehir is a predominantly Muslim city but with a distinctly secular character driven by its universities. Friday prayers are observed by many residents; shops may close briefly around noon Friday but the city does not fully shut down.
- Topic
- Ramadan
- Details
- During Ramadan, food is available throughout the day in Eskişehir — the city's liberal culture means many restaurants remain open. Iftar (breaking the fast) dinners in the evenings are a wonderful cultural experience.
- Topic
- Religious holidays
- Details
- Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) and Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı) are national holidays. Businesses close and the city is quieter than usual. Public transport continues but on reduced schedules.