Getting to Know Erzincan
Erzincan lies in the north-west of Eastern Anatolia, on a plain crossed by the Karasu (Euphrates) River and ringed by mountains. Altıntepe, on the edge of the plain, is one of the most important fortresses of the Urartian period; excavations have uncovered a temple, an apadana and tomb chambers. In the Middle Ages the city flourished under the Saltukids, the Mengujekids and the Seljuks; the Mama Hatun Tomb and Caravanserai at Tercan is one of the most original buildings of this period.
The event that most deeply affected Erzincan’s recent history was the earthquake of 27 December 1939, with a magnitude of 7.9. According to official figures, 32,968 people lost their lives, the city was largely destroyed and it was moved to its present site. Regarded as the first of a series of major earthquakes on the North Anatolian Fault, it was one of the most devastating disasters in Türkiye’s history.
The tourism star of the province is Kemaliye (formerly Eğin). Together with the Karanlık Canyon that the Euphrates has cut through the Munzur Mountains, the historic Eğin houses spread over the slopes like an amphitheatre and the Taş Yol passing through tunnels cut into the rock, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2021.
When to Go
Erzincan has a continental climate: winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and dry. Averages for 1928–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service:
| Month |
Avg. high |
Avg. low |
Rainfall |
Rainy days |
| January |
1.8 °C |
−6.8 °C |
28 mm |
9 |
| February |
3.8 °C |
−5.3 °C |
30 mm |
9 |
| March |
9.6 °C |
−0.7 °C |
43 mm |
11 |
| April |
16.9 °C |
4.8 °C |
53 mm |
13 |
| May |
22.3 °C |
8.8 °C |
54 mm |
14 |
| June |
27.1 °C |
12.3 °C |
31 mm |
9 |
| July |
31.5 °C |
15.6 °C |
12 mm |
3 |
| August |
32.1 °C |
15.5 °C |
7 mm |
2 |
| September |
27.5 °C |
11.0 °C |
16 mm |
4 |
| October |
20.0 °C |
5.9 °C |
39 mm |
8 |
| November |
11.7 °C |
0.8 °C |
35 mm |
8 |
| December |
4.5 °C |
−3.9 °C |
28 mm |
9 |
May–June and September–October are ideal for Kemaliye and the canyon, and December–March for skiing. Kemaliye’s mulberries ripen in June. The lowest temperature ever recorded is −31.2 °C; in winter Girlevik Waterfall freezes and becomes an ice-climbing area.
How to Get to Erzincan
By air: Erzincan Yıldırım Akbulut Airport is 9 km from the city centre.
By train: The Eastern Express and the Erzurum–Ankara trains pass through Erzincan.
By road: Erzincan lies on the Sivas–Erzurum road. Kemaliye is 152 km from the provincial centre and Elazığ is 144 km away; Kemaliye is reached via the Taş Yol.
Erzincan Area by Area
- Merkez: the Grand Mosque, Erzincan Museum, the Terzi Baba Tomb, Ergan Mountain Ski Resort 12 km to the south and Girlevik Waterfall 30 km to the south-east.
- Kemaliye: Karanlık Canyon, the Taş Yol, the historic Eğin houses and boat tours on the Euphrates.
- Üzümlü: the Urartian fortress of Altıntepe.
- Kemah: Kemah Castle on its rock and the Gülabi Bey Complex.
- Tercan: the Mama Hatun Tomb, its caravanserai and its hammam.
Suggested Itineraries
Day 1 – Merkez: The Urartian fortress of Altıntepe in the morning; Girlevik Waterfall in the afternoon; Erzincan tulum cheese and kesme kadayıf in the evening.
Days 2–3 – Kemaliye: Descend from the Taş Yol into Karanlık Canyon for a canyon walk or a boat tour; stay in Eğin’s historic houses among the mulberry trees and try the lök dessert.
On the way back: Kemah Castle, and the Mama Hatun Tomb at Tercan.
Erzincan Cuisine
Erzincan’s most famous product is Erzincan tulum peyniri (tulum cheese), matured in a tulum made of goat or sheep skin. The other registered products are Erzincan kesme kadayıfı, Erzincan sütlacı (rice pudding), Erzincan üzümlü sarucu (sarucu with raisins), cimin üzümü (Cimin grapes), Kemaliye dutu (Kemaliye mulberries) and its kuru kaymağı (dried clotted cream), Kemaliye lök tatlısı, Erzincan geven balı (tragacanth honey), the honeys of Refahiye and Tercan, Kemah doğal kaynak tuzu (Kemah natural spring salt) and Ekşisu doğal maden suyu (natural mineral water). Among handicrafts, Erzincan bakır işçiliği (copperwork), Kemaliye gazenne dokuması (gazenne weaving), Kemaliye kapı tokmağı (door knockers) and the Cengerli kilimi are registered.
Practical Tips
- The tunnels of the Taş Yol are narrow and poorly lit; drive slowly, and carry a torch if you are on foot.
- Accommodation in Kemaliye is limited; book ahead for summer weekends.
- In winter you ride the cable car up to Ergan Mountain Ski Resort; services may be suspended depending on weather conditions.
