Things to Do in Tutak: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Tutak

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 3 Nature

While you are in Tutak, 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 Tutak

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

June–September

Places to visit

5 places

• 🥩

  Abdigör Köftesi (boiled beef meatballs)

  The signature flavour of the Ağrı region, Abdigör köftesi is also among the most loved dishes in Tutak. It is prepared by kneading lean minced beef with special spices and then boiling it.

• 🥣

  Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

  Prepared with yoghurt, wheat and mint, ayran aşı is the refreshing flavour of Tutak's summer tables.

• 🫓

  Tandır Ekmeği (clay oven bread)

  Baked in a clay tandoor oven, this traditional bread is an indispensable part of Tutak's village tables. It is eaten with fresh butter and honey.

• 🍲

  Haşıl (wheat flour dish)

  A traditional dish made by cooking wheat flour with water and salt, served with butter and grape molasses poured over it.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Tutak

• 🏔️

  Plateau Culture

  The tradition of migrating to the plateaus in the summer months continues in the mountain villages of Tutak. Plateau life, livestock farming and traditional handicrafts create a rich cultural fabric.

• ⚔️

  Border Region History

  In the Ottoman period, Tutak was one of the most important settlements on the eastern border. This historical past has left deep traces in the cultural memory of the district.

• 🧶

  Kilim Weaving

  Traditional kilim weaving in Tutak is carried on by women. Kilims woven with local motifs reflect the cultural richness of the region.

Local Products

• Dairy Products — In Tutak, where livestock farming is the main livelihood, cheese, yoghurt and butter are produced by traditional methods.
• Honey — Flower honey collected on Tutak's plateaus is the valuable natural product of the region.
• Cereal Products — Wheat and barley grown on the Tutak Plain are the basic agricultural products of the region.

Economy

The economy of Tutak is based on farming and livestock. Wheat, barley and forage crops are grown on the plain irrigated by the Murat River. Small and large livestock farming are the district's most important livelihoods. Beekeeping is also a developing sector. The migration of young people to large cities is a factor affecting the district's economy.

How to Get to Tutak

Tutak is 45 km from Ağrı city centre and is reached by road. Located on the Ağrı-Patnos road, the district has regular minibus services from Ağrı. The nearest airport is Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Airport (55 km).

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Ağrı

Tutak: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Tutak 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
• Diyadin 8 places Diyadin Hot Springs, Meya Caves and Mount Tendürek
• 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)