Eskisehir Travel Guide

Eskişehir is located in the Central Anatolia Region and stands out as one of the most dynamic university and industrial cities in Turkey. The capital of the Hittite Empire in the 13th century BC and of Phrygia in the 12th century BC, this city has always been a strategic trade center on the Silk Road. Eskişehir also draws attention with its historical structures that contain many important works from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.

Today, Eskişehir is a student city known for its important higher education institutions such as Anadolu University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University and Eskişehir Technical University. Among the places to visit in the city are cultural and artistic venues such as Sazova Science, Culture and Art Park, Contemporary Glass Arts Museum and Wax Museum. In addition, the century-old mosques, covered bazaars, bazaars and historical houses that decorate the city attract the attention of tourists.

Eskişehir's historical Phrygian Valley is an important stop for history enthusiasts who want to explore the ancient past of this region, while each of the city's 14 districts is worth exploring with its own natural beauty and historical texture. This city, with a population of 870.000, offers a pleasant travel experience for both local and foreign tourists with its historical and cultural riches.

When to Go to Eskişehir?

Since Eskişehir is located under the continental climate of Central Anatolia, winters are cold and rainy, while summer temperatures can reach 40 degrees. The annual average temperature is around 10 degrees. The most ideal times to visit the city are spring and autumn, when the weather conditions are milder. During these seasons, you can visit historical sites and enjoy the natural beauty of the city.

How to Get to Eskişehir?

Eskişehir is one of the important transportation centers of Turkey and the city can be easily reached by plane, high-speed train and bus. Eskişehir Anadolu Airport (Hasan Polatkan Airport), which is only 12 kilometers from the city center, serves more than 50 thousand passengers per year. There are direct or connecting flights to Eskişehir from many major cities in Turkey. In addition, İstanbul, Ankara and Konya, Eskişehir can also be reached by high-speed train. The journey from Istanbul by train takes approximately 2,5 hours, and from Ankara it takes only 1 hour and 25 minutes. Eskişehir Bus Terminal is 8 kilometers from the city center and can be reached by bus services from all over Turkey. Eskişehir is 302 km from Istanbul, 235 km from Ankara, 499 km from Izmir and 155 km from Bursa.

What to Eat in Eskişehir?

Eskişehir cuisine has a rich cultural heritage, especially influenced by the Balkan and Crimean cuisines. As a university city, the city offers a wide range of flavors from world cuisine to local Central Anatolian and Ottoman dishes. The most famous dishes that visitors to Eskişehir should definitely try are balaban köftesi and çiğ börek. For meat lovers, lamb sorpa is also a favorite flavor specific to the city. In addition, tatar böreği, kıygaşa, oatmeal büryan, boza and the city's most popular dessert, met helvası, are among the flavors you should try during your Eskişehir trip. Popular places in the city include Papağan Çiğbörek (Köprübaşı Street), Abdüsselam Balaban Kebap Salonu (Belediye Street), Etevim (İsmet İnönü Street) and Sağlık Pide (Üniversite Street).

Activities to Do in Eskişehir

• Museum Tours: Eskişehir is a city rich in culture and art, and is home to many impressive museums. The most notable museums in the city include the Contemporary Glass Arts Museum (Turkey's first glass arts museum), Eskişehir Meerschaum Museum (full of works made of meerschaum), Eti Archaeology Museum (works from the stone age to the present), Eskişehir Kurtuluş Museum (in a historical mansion), Eskişehir Aviation Museum (a large collection related to aviation), Wooden Works Museum (in the Kurşunlu Mosque Complex) and Tülomsaş Museum (the museum where the first domestic automobile and locomotive are exhibited).
• Porsuk Stream Gondola Tours: Porsuk River, one of the symbols of Eskişehir, offers a perfect environment for gondola trips reminiscent of Venice. These romantic and peaceful trips are especially ideal for couples and families. In addition, places to visit such as City-i Love Island and Kentpark Beach are also located around Porsuk River.
• Phrygian Valley Nature Walks: The Phrygian Valley is a region full of rock carvings, houses and castles dating back 3000 years, where historical and natural beauties intertwine. This valley, which lies between Eskişehir, Kütahya and Afyonkarahisar, has both cycling and hiking trails and can be explored with guided tours. It is also a great place to take photos accompanied by fascinating views.
• Waterfall Park Walks: Şelale Park, where you can see panoramic views of Eskişehir, spreads over an area of ​​32.000 m². You can take a walk in the park, see the Don Quixote statue, spend time in the children's playgrounds or relax on the observation terrace. You can have a pleasant day in this park, which is especially popular in every season.

Eskisehir Night Life

Eskişehir has a very lively nightlife thanks to its young population and the investments made to support tourism in the city. The cafes and entertainment venues on the banks of the Porsuk River are one of the popular spots in the city. In addition, the Haller Youth Center on Yılmaz Büyükerşen Boulevard attracts young people with the concerts it organizes.

The Bar Street in the city is centrally located on İsmet İnönü Street, and the many bars here are one of the places where the heart of Eskişehir's nightlife beats. While 222 Park One Night and Gate 26 stand out with DJ performances and concerts, venues such as Buda Club, Kafepi, Olympos Cafe & Bar, Hangover Cafe & Bar and Kör Kamil Meyhane are among the city's most preferred entertainment venues with their stylish atmosphere and rich menus.

Shopping in Eskisehir

Eskişehir offers a wide range of shopping from historical bazaars to modern shopping malls. Handcrafted products made of meerschaum, especially pipes and trinkets, have become symbols of the city and are among the most preferred souvenirs. Handmade sorkun pottery is also purchased with interest by both local and foreign tourists. In addition, Eskişehir's famous dessert met helva and frozen raw pastries are among the most preferred flavors by visitors to the city.

You can do nostalgic shopping in historical bazaars such as Kurşunlu Social Complex, Çukur Bazaar and Atlıhan Handicrafts Bazaar, and buy special products from the souvenir shops on İki Eylül Street. For modern shopping opportunities, you can visit large shopping malls such as Espark Shopping Mall, VEGA Outlet Eskişehir and Özdilek Eskişehir AVM on Yılmaz Büyükerşen Boulevard. These places are some of the most active points of the city's shopping life.

Festivals and Events

Eskişehir hosts many colorful festivals throughout the year. The International Children and Youth Theatre Festival, held every year in March, offers a great opportunity to watch children and youth theatre from different villages around the world. This festival, held on the banks of the Porsuk River, is full of fun activities for families with children.

The International Eskişehir Film Festival, held in May, brings together film lovers with art films, short films, talks, workshops and many other events. This festival is an event that cinema enthusiasts in Turkey should not miss.

Milyonfest Eskişehir, which takes place at Eskişehir Mola Facilities at the end of September, is quite lively with the intense participation of university students. Concerts by famous musicians add joy to the energetic atmosphere of the city during this four-day festival.

The International Eskişehir Dance Festival, held every year in February, stands out as one of the largest dance festivals in Europe. Bringing together dance groups and instructors from around the world, this festival features many events, from local dances to DJ performances.

The International Theatre Festival, held by Anadolu University in October, is full of performances with world-class theatre artists and instructors. Participants have the chance to learn new information about the theatre world through workshops and talks.

One of the new festivals, Eskişehir Comedy Plays Festival, is held in November at Zübeyde Hanım Cultural Center. You can watch entertaining comedy plays and participate in workshops and workshops after the play.

Eskişehir Opera and Ballet Days, held in May, offers an unforgettable event filled with opera, ballet and modern dance performances at the Atatürk Culture, Arts and Congress Center. It also inspires art lovers with seminars and talks.

The International Wood Sculpture Festival, held in mid-June, hosts world-famous sculptors at Odunpazarı Square. At this festival, visitors can witness live performances by sculptors and discover fascinating sculptures.

Things To Consider

• Eskişehir is a city famous for its bicycle paths and is one of the most bicycle-used cities in our country. You can benefit from the bicycle rental services offered by the municipality to explore the city. Touring the city by bicycle is a very popular activity.
• By purchasing an Eskart, you can benefit from discounted public transport in the city. Also, Museumcard You can easily enter all museums and historical sites in Eskişehir.
• Eskişehir's winters can be cold and snowy, while its summers can be quite hot. Depending on the season you'll be visiting, we recommend that you bring along warm clothing, non-slip shoes, water, and a sun hat.

Transportation

Transportation in Eskişehir is provided by municipal buses, private public buses, minibuses and trams. With the Eskart card, you can easily use municipal buses and minibuses in every part of the city, university campuses, train stations and airports. There are a total of 7 tram lines in the city, and these lines consist of 61 stops, especially covering the city center and tourist areas. In addition, taxis are also quite common in the city, and there are taxi stands on the main streets that provide service 7/24.

Eskişehir is a city where history, culture and natural beauty are presented together, promising unforgettable moments to every visitor. Thanks to the Eskişehir Travel Guide, you will discover many activities to do in this dynamic city and the historical structures you will discover more closely. Whether you go on a cultural journey or spend a peaceful day in nature, Eskişehir will fascinate you in every way. Many options await you, from the rich museums in the city to fun festivals, from food stops to historical places.

If you would like to get more information about places to visit, Places to Visit in Eskisehir You can take a look at our article titled.