Things to Do in Aydıntepe: 4 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Aydıntepe

• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature

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

• Bayburt Castle — The castle on the hilltop overlooking the city.
• Bayburt Grand Mosque — A congregational mosque believed to have been built during the reign of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Gıyaseddin Mesud II (1282–1298); it was rebuilt in the 1970s, remaining faithful to the original plan.
• Dede Korkut Tomb (Masat) — An old Turkmen tomb (türbe) near the village of Masat, 39 km from Bayburt, known locally as 'Ali Baba'. The theory that it belongs to Dede Korkut was put forward by Orhan Şaik Gökyay.
• Dede Korkut Monument and Festival — The monument in the city centre symbolises the 'Heritage of Dede Korkut / Korkut Ata', which UNESCO added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. The international Dede Korkut Culture and Arts Festival is held every year in the third week of July.
• Baksı Museum — A museum of contemporary art and traditional handicrafts in the village of Bayraktar (formerly Baksı), 45 km from Bayburt, founded by the Bayburt-born painter Prof.
• Kop Mountain Defence Historical National Park — On the Bayburt–Erzurum border, the area where the Ottoman 3rd Army defended against the Russians in the First World War; it was declared a national park in 2016. With 134 butterfly species, 10 of them endemic, it is one of the richest butterfly areas in Türkiye.

Practical Information for Visiting Aydıntepe

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Summer months (June-September)

Places to visit

4 places

• 🥩

  Ehmedek Köftesi (meatballs with bulgur)

  Finely minced lamb is kneaded with bulgur and spices and then boiled to make ehmedek köftesi, Bayburt's best-known local dish. It is also widely eaten in Aydıntepe.

• 🧀

  Lor Dolması (cheese-stuffed vine leaves)

  Prepared by wrapping fresh lor cheese in vine leaves and boiling them. It is served with garlic yoghurt.

• 🥣

  Kesme Çorbası (hand-cut noodle soup)

  Prepared by cooking small pieces cut from hand-rolled dough in a yoghurt sauce. It is the traditional soup of the winter months.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Aydıntepe

• 🏛️

  Underground City Heritage

  The Aydıntepe Underground City is the most important cultural heritage of the district. This Roman-period structure is evidence of the region's settlement history spanning thousands of years.

• ⛰️

  Plateau Culture

  The high plain of Aydıntepe is an area where the plateau tradition is still practised. Families who migrate to the plateaus in summer continue traditional livestock farming and dairy production.

Local Products

• Aydıntepe Şeker Fasulyesi (Aydıntepe sugar beans) — Aydıntepe Şeker Fasulyesi was registered as a protected designation of origin on 9 June 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 780). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Bayburt University.
• Plateau Honey — Honey produced on the high plateaus of Aydıntepe, known for its floral aroma and light colour.
• Dairy Products — Cheese, yoghurt and kaymak made from the milk of animals grazing on the plateaus are the best-known products of the region.

Economy

Aydıntepe's economy is based on livestock farming and agriculture. The high plain is suitable for cattle and sheep farming. Dairy production is an important source of income. Grain and fodder crops are grown in agriculture. The underground city contributes to cultural tourism.

How to Get to Aydıntepe

Aydıntepe is 25 km from Bayburt provincial centre. Transport is by road. There are regular minibus services from Bayburt. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport (145 km).

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Bayburt

Aydıntepe: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Aydıntepe Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Bayburt The province's 11 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Bayburt

• Bayburt Central District 8 places Bayburt Castle, Çoruh Valley and Baksı Museum
• Demirözü 6 places Demirözü Dam, Demirözü Castle and Çoruh Valley (Demirözü section)