Muş is an ancient city in eastern Turkey, spread across a sweeping highland plain at roughly 1,325 metres elevation, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Bingöl and Taurus mountains. The city and its province carry extraordinary historical depth — the surrounding plain witnessed the 1071 Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt), one of the most consequential battles in medieval history, where the Seljuk sultan Alparslan defeated the Byzantine emperor and opened Anatolia to Turkish settlement. Today Muş blends Kurdish culture, Ottoman-era mosques, Armenian monastery ruins, volcanic plateaus, and rich agricultural landscapes into a destination that remains almost entirely off the tourist trail.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Highland mountain honey (Muş balı) — sealed jars travel well
Kete flatbread (ask bakeries to vacuum-pack; keeps 3–5 days)
Local tulum cheese (vacuum-packed at the bazaar)
Hand-woven wool kilims and flat-weave rugs
Dried mountain herbs (kekik — oregano; nane — mint)
Copper/brassware from bazaar smiths
Local Tarhana soup mix (dried; long shelf life)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Old Bazaar (Tarihi Çarşı)
Honey, spices, copper, textiles
Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–19:00
Friday Market (Cuma Pazarı)
Fresh produce, local dairy, herbs, clothing
Hours: Every Friday 07:00–14:00