Erzurum

Introducing Erzurum

Forget any preconceived notion you have of a cold, austere and overwhelmingly conservative city. Sure, the climate is off-putting much of the year and the city feels much less liberal than its Mediterranean counterparts, but Erzurum is rapidly metamorphosing into a vibrant metropolis and the sizeable student population brings a refreshing touch of mod­ernity. The ‘peoplescape’ of Erzurum is absorbing in its contrasts. Patriotic, conservative men and women wearing voluminous black drapes or at least headscarves mix with young couples and stalwart soldiers.

Ditch your bags on arrival and leg it straight to Cumhuriyet Caddesi, the main artery, which showcases some of the best Seljuk architecture in the country. Then sweat it up to the citadel, where you can get your bearings over the urban sprawl, with the steppe forming a heavenly backdrop.

The short summer (June to September) is obviously the best time to visit Erzurum, but it’s also an excellent base in winter for skiing enthusiasts, who come from all over Turkey and abroad to enjoy the nearby Palandöken ski resort.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009