Photo: Volker Höhfeld (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 10 places to visit in the Yusufeli district of Artvin: Barhal (Altıparmak) Church, Çoruh River Rafting Course and Barhal River Rafting Area. Plan your trip to Yusufeli with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Yusufeli is a district of Artvin province in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. The district covers 2,261 km² and has an average elevation of 796 metres above sea level.
Kaçkar Mountain, in the north-west of the district, rises to 3,937 metres and is the highest mountain of the Northeast Anatolian Mountains.
Yusufeli was founded in 1879 as the Kiskim district, attached to Erzurum province. In 1912 the district was renamed Yusufeli. Because of the dams built on the Çoruh River, the district was relocated again in 2023. Barhal Church was converted into a mosque in 1677 by Hacı Şerif Efendi. The church in Altıparmak village was built during the time of King David Magistros.
In 1955, during road construction, a copper axe was found in Nizgavan (Demirköy) village in Yusufeli. The first district administration was set up in 1879 under the name Kiskim district, attached to Erzurum province.
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Built in the 10th century during the Kingdom of Georgia, Barhal Church is one of the most important religious buildings of the Tao-Klarjeti region. Its stonework and architectural details make it an outstanding example of Georgian medieval architecture.
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Photo: Volker Höhfeld (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source Dörtkilise, in Tekkale village attached to Yusufeli, is one of the four great cathedrals of the Tao-Klarjeti region. Dating to the 10th century, the building is one of the monumental examples of Georgian medieval architecture.
View on mapThe church in Altıparmak village was converted into a mosque in 1677. It is temporarily closed for restoration.
View on mapA plateau village 62 km from Yusufeli, at the foot of the Kaçkar Mountains. Accommodation is available in the village.
View on mapA plateau in Kılıçkaya town, 28 km from the centre, where a festival is held every year in the second week of July.
View on mapThe Yusufeli stretch of the Çoruh River, one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the world, hosts international rafting competitions. The 150 km course offers sections of different difficulty for professional and amateur rafters.
View on mapThe 85 km-long Barhal River, rising in the Kaçkar Mountains, joins the Çoruh River at Yusufeli. A 20 km section is used for rafting and kayaking; May and June are the ideal months.
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Photo: Pedder65 at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source Built on the Çoruh River, the Yusufeli Dam, with a body height of 275 metres, is the highest dam in Türkiye. Because of the dam, the old district centre of Yusufeli was flooded and a new settlement was built.
View on mapThe Barhal River within the boundaries of Altıparmak village is promoted for water sports. 3 guesthouses in the village offer accommodation.
View on mapTours and international competitions are held around Yusufeli between May and August.
View on mapWhile you are in Yusufeli, you can also see the highlights of Artvin province. These places are in other districts.
Made with cornmeal, butter and civil cheese, kuymak is Yusufeli's most loved traditional dish. It is served stretching as it is constantly stirred over the fire.
Trout caught in the Çoruh River and its tributaries is served grilled or pan-fried. Trout grown in the cold, clean waters of Yusufeli is one of the freshest flavours of the region.
Prepared by wrapping kale leaves around a rice filling, this dish is an essential winter meal in Yusufeli cuisine.
A news report describes this as a well-known dish of Yusufeli.
Yusufeli is known internationally for its rafting competitions on the Çoruh River. Rafting festivals held every year draw world-class athletes and nature lovers to the district.
Yusufeli was once one of the important centres of the Georgian Tao-Klarjeti region. Structures such as Barhal Church and Dörtkilise are evidence of the rich cultural heritage of that period.
With the construction of the Yusufeli Dam, the old district centre was flooded and an entirely new town was built. This process is one of the largest settlement relocation projects in Türkiye.
The economy of Yusufeli consists of energy production, tourism, livestock and aquaculture. The Yusufeli Dam, the highest dam in Türkiye, produces a significant amount of hydroelectric power. Rafting activities on the Çoruh River and the Barhal River contribute to tourism income. Trout farming and beekeeping are traditional sources of income.
Yusufeli is 80 km from Artvin city centre and 170 km from Erzurum, reached by road. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport (170 km). There are regular minibus services from Artvin and Erzurum.
There are 10 highlights in Yusufeli: Barhal (Altıparmak) Church, Çoruh River Rafting Course, Barhal River Rafting Area, Dörtkilise (Otkhta Eklesia), Yusufeli Dam, Yaylalar Village, Aros Plateau, Barhal River (Altıparmak village), Barhal Church and Çoruh River.
Kuymak, Alabalık Izgara, Karalahana Sarması and Cağ Kebabı are the standout flavours at tables in Yusufeli.
Yusufeli is known for its honey and its rafting and extreme sports culture. Honey obtained from the rich vegetation at the foot of the Kaçkar Mountains is known for its high quality. Beekeeping is an important source of income in the area.
Yusufeli is 80 km from Artvin city centre and 170 km from Erzurum, reached by road. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport (170 km). There are regular minibus services from Artvin and Erzurum.
Suggested visit length: 2–3 days. Best time to visit: spring and summer months (May–September), for rafting May–June.