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Erzurum is famous for its historical artifacts that remain intact for thousands of years, natural beauties and a legendary cuisine. Erzurum stands out in the Eastern Anatolian Region with its winter, culture, history, nature and adventures, sports, and culinary tourism.

Its natural conditions and geographical location have made Erzurum one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia.

Known as the gateway to Anatolia, the invincable fortress of the Turks, and the land of the Dadaş, Erzurum is waiting for you with its rich historical heritage from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, archaeological sites and magnificent natural beauties.

Erzurum is located on the historical Silk Road, and on the route of the Eastern Express that has been re-launched for touristic purposes.

Lake Tortum

Lake Tortum is located on the Erzurum-Artvin road, 35 km to the north of Tortum. A mass of landslide that that occurred in Kemerli Mountain blocked the flow of Tortum Creek, ended up forming the Lake Tortum. The lake is located in a narrow and steep valley on the Tortum Creek and extends for 8 km. Lake Tortum and Tortum Waterfall are wonders of nature with unique reflections and landscaping.

Tortum Waterfall

Tortum Waterfall is one of the Türkiye's tallest waterfalls. It was formed by Lake Tortum overflowing the landslide mass in the Tev Valley. It is 21 meters wide and 48 meters high. Visitors can enjoy the landscape terrace in front of the waterfalls.

Palandöken Ski Resort

Palandöken Ski Resort is one of Türkiye's and the world's top winter sports centers with its proximity (3 km) to the central district of Erzurum, a long ski season and night skiing service.

Covering an area of 70 km x 25 km, Palandöken Mountain was declared Winter Tourism Center in 1993. It includes three major ski resorts: Erzurum (Hınıs) Strait, Konaklı and Gez Plateau.

Palandöken and Konaklı Ski Resorts have 55 ski tracks with a total length of 71 km. Seven km of these tracks are illuminated for night skiing. Attracting more tourists each year with its snow quality and modern facilities, Palandöken and Konaklı offers many alternative activities including paragliding, ice skating, paintball, ice hockey and ice climbing.

Palandöken Ski Resort has four tracks registered for slalom and grand slalom races by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Located in the south of Erzurum at an altitude of 3,176 meters. It hosted the 25th Universiade Winter Games in 2011, which made the city one of the new winter tourism destinations for Türkiye and the world.

Fairy Chimneys of Narman

Fairy Chimneys of Narman stand out with their color and interesting geological forms and are also called the "Land of red fairies". Wind and rain eroded the sandy earth, forming this exciting landscape of red fairy chimneys and narrow valleys. Dating back to 300 million years, these geological formations are in this part of the Eastern Türkiye.

Erzurum Ulu Mosque

Erzurum Ulu Mosque was built by the Saltuklu Emir, Nasreddin Aslan Mehmet, in 1179. This mosque is also called the "Atabey Mosque" after the "Atabey" name of the Saltuklu.

Lalapaşa Mosque

Lalapaşa Mosque is the first Ottoman mosque built in Erzurum and served as a model for other Ottoman mosques built there. Grand Vizier Lala Mustafa Pasha, who was the conqueror of Cyprus and the commander-in-chief of Suleiman the Magnificent, had this mosque built in 1562 when he was the Beylerbeyi of Erzurum. Designed by Mimar Sinan, the mosque was accompanied by a palace and an elementary school, but they were destroyed over time.

Öşvank Monastery                                                

Öşvank Monastery is a splendid 10th-century monastery in Çamlıyamaç village of the Uzunderedistrict of Erzurum, which is one of the key destinations of religious tourism. It is famous for colorful stone decorations and embossed figures. According to the inscription at the southern wing of the cross, Öşvank Monastery was built by Magistras Bagrat, the son of Adernese III, from 963 to 973, during the rule of the Bagratid Dynasty of Georgia. Designed by Grigor of Öşk, the monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist, and its grand dome was repaired by

Byzantine Emperors Basileios II and Constantin VII from 1022 to 1028.

Twin Minaret Madrasa

Twin Minaret Madrasa is a Seljuk architectural monument that became the symbol of Erzurum. It is usually considered to have been built in late 13th century. It is also called "Hatuniye Madrasa" since it is assumed to have been built by Hundi Hatun, the daughter of Alaaddin Keykubat, or Padişah Hatun of the İlhanlı dynasty.

Yakutiye Madrasa

Yakutiye Madrasa was built by Hoca Yakut Gazani in the honor of Gazan Han and Bolugan Hatunduring the reign of Sultan Olcayto, the ruler of İlhanlı. The largest madrasa with enclosed courtyard in Anatolia, the Yakutiye Madrasa is one of the most striking buildings in Erzurum with its layout plan, well-balanced

architecture, and large adornments. 

Three Tombs 

Three Tombs are among the most beautiful examples of mausoleums in Anatolia. It is thought that the largest of the three tombs is the tomb of Emir Saltuk and was built in late 12th century. To whom the other two tombs belong to is unknown, but it is believed that they were built in the 14th century.

Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai

Rüstem Pasha Caravanserai (Taşhan) was built by Rüstem Pasha, the grand vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent, in 1561. The building is a great example Ottoman caravanserai architecture. The caravanserai had a public soup kitchen, a small mosque, resting areas, merchant shops, and hitching posts where camels, donkeys, cattle and horses are tied up.

Çobandede Bridge

Çobandede Bridge was built on the historical Silk Road. It was built by Çoban Noyan, the Emir of Salduzlu and the Vizier of Gazan Han (1295 - 1304) - the Ruler of İlhanlı - in 1298. Structural form and decorations of the head of the bridge reflect the architectural style of Seljuks and İlhanlı. Located at the intersection of Karga Pazarı and Aras Rivers, the bridge is 128 meters long and 8.5 meters wide. The bridge has seven round arches which are made from black, red and gray stones. Junipers were laid beneath the abutments of the bridge to prevent it from sinking. Gaps were left among buffer walls to relieve the weight of the bridge.

Bastions of Erzurum

Bastions of Erzurum are home to one of the legendary acts of heroism in Türkiye. The first bastions built in Erzurum date back to the Ottoman-Persian Wars of the 18th century. However, the largest bastions were built to protect the city during the raids and invasion of Russia from early 19th century. There are 23 of these strategic structures built on the commanding heights around the city. Incorporating military headquarters, military shelters, training grounds, dining halls, ambush rooms, etc., these bastions were built as a single building or a series of buildings. Although the bastions vary in size and location, the most significant ones are the bastions of Mecidiye and Aziziye. You can still find the blood of martyrs on their walls of the bastions which have stood tall to this day with the memories of the motto "Deveboynu shall not be passed" that proved valid during the Russo-Turkish War.

Kurşunlu Mosque

Located on the northwestern slope of the inner fortress, Kurşunlu Mosque was commissioned in 1701 by Şeyhülislâm Feyzullah Efendi. The mosque later took its name from its lead-covered dome and is also known as Feyziye Mosque. Built from ashlar stone on a square plan, the structure is crowned with a dome set on an octagonal drum. Its three-bayed portico, supported by four stone columns, along with its stone mihrab and muqarnas decorations, stand out for their craftsmanship. The wooden minbar is considered one of the finest examples of Turkish woodworking. Together with the madrasa built in the same period, the mosque forms a complex known as Feyziye Madrasa.

Oltu Castle

Situated in the center of Oltu district, Oltu Castle was originally constructed in the 4th century BCE by the Urartians. Covering an area of 3,000 square meters and built with finely cut stone blocks, the castle underwent several restorations during the Eastern Roman (Byzantine), Seljuk, Aq Qoyunlu, Kara Koyunlu, and Ottoman periods. It was also used as a caravanserai for a time under Ottoman rule. The most extensive restoration took place between 1998 and 1999, allowing the structure to survive in remarkably good condition to the present day.

Uzundere

Uzundere is Türkiye’s 11th Cittaslow town. The district stands out with its natural and cultural treasures, including Tortum Waterfall—the tallest waterfall in Türkiye along with Tortum Lake and Tortum River, where activities such as sailing, rafting, and canoeing can be enjoyed. The area is also home to the historic Öşk Monastery.

Uzundere boasts extraordinary biological diversity and is located at the western edge of the Caucasus Ecological Region, within the Çoruh Valley. Hosting numerous endemic plants, mammals, birds, and butterfly species, this region is considered one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the world.,

Taşhan

Taşhan in Erzurum is a magnificent caravanserai built in the 16th century during the Ottoman era, standing at the heart of the city’s commercial life. Constructed from finely cut stone, its impressive architecture, spacious courtyard, and two-storey layout make it one of the notable examples of classical Ottoman-era caravanserai heritage.

For centuries, Taşhan hosted merchants, travellers, and caravans; today, it welcomes visitors as one of Erzurum’s most vibrant cultural landmarks. Preserving its historic character, the han is especially renowned for its workshops of oltu taşı (jet stone) masters, offering both local and international visitors a unique atmosphere where shopping and history come together.

Engüzek Castle

Perched atop steep cliffs like an eagle's nest in the Uzundere district of Erzurum, Engüzek Castle stands as one of the most magnificent defense structures surviving from the Middle Ages. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,180 meters overlooking the Tortum Creek valley, this historic fortress maintained control over vital trade and military routes for centuries due to its strategic location. The structure features massive walls reaching heights of up to 30 meters in places and is reinforced by four powerful towers. Within its perimeter, the ruins of a church, water cisterns, granaries, and secret tunnels leading down to the river reflect the traces of both Georgian and Turkish rule in the region. With its architecture seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape and the remains of an Ottoman bath located at its base, Engüzek Castle remains one of Erzurum’s most impressive and captivating historical landmarks.