Things to Do in Diyadin: 8 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Diyadin

• 2 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 5 Nature

🌳 Natural Wonders 5

4 🌳 Nature

Meya Caves

Caves in Diyadin.

View on map

5 🌳 Nature

Mount Tendürek

Rising between Ağrı and Van, Mount Tendürek is a volcanic mountain with a summit of 3,584 metres. The geothermal springs and crater lake at the foot of the mountain make it an interesting discovery for nature lovers.

View on map

6 🌳 Nature

Geyser (Geothermal Eruption Point)

Hot water springs that gush from underground in Diyadin's geothermal area are among the rare natural geysers in Türkiye. The emergence of steam and hot water to the surface is a striking natural phenomenon that attracts visitors.

View on map

7 🌳 Nature

Diyadin Canyon

A natural canyon crossed by the Murat River and surrounded by high mountains.

View on map

8 🌳 Nature

Kudret Bridge

A natural bridge formed in rocks eroded by the river, in the Murat River valley.

View on map

While you are in Diyadin, you can also see the highlights of Ağrı province. These places are in other districts.

• İshak Paşa Palace — The palace in Doğubayazıt was begun in 1685 by Çolak Abdi Paşa of the Çıldır Atabeys and completed in 1784, after 99 years, in the time of Küçük İshak Paşa.
• Mount Ağrı — At 5,137 metres, the highest mountain in Türkiye; it is 16 km from Iran and 32 km from Armenia, and about 35 per cent of it lies within Ağrı province.
• Mount Ağrı National Park — A national park of 88,014 hectares declared in 2004; it covers Mount Ağrı (5,137 m) and Little Ağrı (3,898 m), the largest glacier in Türkiye, a meteor crater and the ice cave on Little Ağrı.
• Old Bayazıt Castle and Ruins — The castle at Upper Bayazıt (Yukarı Bayazıt), where Doğubayazıt was first founded, and Urartian tombs lie around it.
• Ahmed-i Hânî Tomb — The tomb of Ahmed-i Hânî, poet and scholar and author of the mesnevi Mem û Zîn, stands close to İshak Paşa Palace and is a popular stop for visitors.
• Durupınar Formation (Noah's Ark) — A ship-shaped limonite formation 164 metres long, at 1,966–2,004 metres, 16 km south-east of Doğubayazıt near the village of Üzengili.

Practical Information for Visiting Diyadin

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

June–September

Places to visit

8 places

• 🥩

  Abdigör Köftesi (boiled beef meatballs)

  The most famous flavour of the Ağrı region, Abdigör köftesi is prepared by kneading lean minced beef with special spices and then boiling it. It is served with a sauce of browned butter and tomato paste.

• 🥣

  Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut noodle soup)

  Made with hand-cut noodles and yoghurt, this soup is an indispensable flavour of Diyadin's cold winter days. It is drizzled with browned butter and mint.

• 🫓

  Tandır Ekmeği (clay oven bread)

  Baked in a clay tandoor oven, this traditional bread is an inseparable part of the village tables in Diyadin. It is eaten at breakfast with fresh butter and honey.

• 🍲

  Haşıl (wheat flour dish)

  Haşıl, a traditional dish of Eastern Anatolia made by cooking wheat flour with water and salt, is served with butter and grape molasses poured over it.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Diyadin

• ♨️

  Geothermal Healing Tradition

  Diyadin's hot springs have been used for healing purposes for centuries. The tradition of treatment with thermal waters is an important part of local culture.

• 🐑

  Nomadic Livestock Culture

  Small livestock farming in Diyadin's mountainous geography is a tradition that has been maintained for centuries. Families who migrate to the plateaus in summer keep the traditional way of life alive.

• 🏚️

  Meya Cave Settlement

  The Meya Caves are an important cultural heritage that shows the region has been settled since antiquity.

Local Products

• Sulphur — Diyadin has been known for sulphur production since the 1920s. Sulphur deposits formed by the volcanic structure of Mount Tendürek are processed for industrial purposes.
• Honey — Flower honey collected on the high plateaus of Diyadin is the most valuable natural product of the region.
• Wool and Kilim — Wool production and traditional kilim weaving continue in Diyadin, where sheep farming is widespread.

Economy

The economy of Diyadin is based on livestock and farming. Small livestock farming is the district's most important livelihood. The geothermal springs at the foot of Mount Tendürek have potential for thermal tourism. Sulphur mining has historically been an important economic activity. Beekeeping and honey production also contribute to the local economy.

How to Get to Diyadin

Diyadin is 65 km from Ağrı city centre and is reached by road. Located on the Ağrı-Van road, the district has regular minibus services from Ağrı. The nearest airport is Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Airport (75 km).

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Ağrı

Diyadin: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Diyadin Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Ağrı The province's 12 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Ağrı

• Ağrı Central District 7 places Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) Viewpoints and Ağrı Museum
• Doğubayazıt 11 places İshak Paşa Palace, Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) and Bayazıt Castle (Old Bayazıt)
• Eleşkirt 6 places Eleşkirt Plain, Eleşkirt Castle and Tahir Pass
• Hamur 5 places Hamur Castle, Balık Lake and Hamur Plateaus
• Patnos 8 places Patnos Plain, Patnos Castle (Giriktepe) and Aznavurtepe Mound
• Taşlıçay 6 places Taşlıçay Plain, Taşlıçay Creek Valley and South-western Slopes of Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı)
• Tutak 5 places Tutak Castle, Tutak Plain and Murat River Shore