Things to Do in Pasinler: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Pasinler

• 1 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature

1 🏺 Ancient City

Pasinler (Hasankale) Castle

A historic castle in the town of Pasinler, an ancient structure near which megalithic remains have been found in the village of Demirdöven.

View on map

i Photo: Jaba1977 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

2 🌳 Nature

Pasinler Hot Springs

Thermal springs near the district, known for mineral waters believed to benefit rheumatism and skin conditions. The spa facilities welcome visitors for health tourism throughout the year.

View on map

i Photo: Jaba1977 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

3 🌳 Nature

Pasinler Plain

Pasinler Plain lies at an altitude of 1,700 metres above sea level and is one of the most fertile farming areas in Eastern Anatolia. Its wide flatlands and surrounding mountain views make for an impressive natural landscape.

View on map

4 🕌 Religious

Pasinler Ulu Mosque

The Grand Mosque in the district centre was built in the Seljuk period and is notable for its stonework and mihrab.

View on map

5 🏛️ Historic

Pasinler Castle (Hasankale)

Commissioned in 1339 by Haşan Bey, son of the Ilkhanid amir Hacı Toğay.

View on map

While you are in Pasinler, you can also see the highlights of Erzurum province. These places are in other districts; Pasinler is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

• Çifte Minareli Madrasa — The symbol of the city, a two-storey Seljuk madrasa with an open courtyard, built in the mid-13th century.
• Yakutiye Madrasa — Built in 1310 by Hoca Cemalettin Yakut during the reign of the Ilkhanid ruler Öljeitü, this is the largest madrasa with a covered courtyard in Anatolia.
• Erzurum Grand Mosque — Built in 1179 under the Saltukid ruler Melik Nasirüddin Muhammed, this is the oldest and largest mosque in the city, also known as the Atabey Mosque.
• Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler) — Three monumental tombs south of the Çifte Minareli Madrasa, dating from the 12th to 14th centuries.
• Erzurum Castle and Clock Tower — The inner citadel on the highest point of the city, founded in the Byzantine period and repaired under the Saltukids and the Ottomans.
• Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque — A classical Ottoman mosque attributed to Mimar Sinan, built in 1562–1563 for Lala Mustafa Paşa, the beylerbey of Erzurum.

Practical Information for Visiting Pasinler

Suggested time

Half a day to 1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer months (May–September)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🍖

  Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb)

  Prepared by turning lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire. It has a special flavour thanks to the meat of sheep raised on Pasinler's wide pastures.

• 🥣

  Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup)

  A traditional soup made with yoghurt, cracked wheat and mint. It is a nourishing dish that never goes missing from Pasinler's tables on cold winter days.

• 🍮

  Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf)

  A traditional dessert of thin kadayıf pastry wrapped around walnuts, baked and soaked in syrup. In Pasinler it is a classic treat at weddings and festive meals.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Pasinler

• ⚔️

  Battle of Pasinler, 1048

  The Battle of Pasinler, fought in 1048 between the Seljuk Sultan Tuğrul Bey and the Byzantine Empire, was a turning point in the entry of the Turks into Anatolia. This victory heralded the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.

• 🏰

  Hasankale Heritage

  Pasinler was formerly known as Hasankale. The castle and surrounding structures, built in the Seljuk period, reflect the district's importance in Turkish-Islamic civilisation.

Local Products

• Pasinler Yaprak Döner — Pasinler Yaprak Döner was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 September 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1463). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Pasinler Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Pasinler Honey — Flower honey gathered from the district's highland pastures. Thanks to the rich flora, it is an aromatic and natural variety of honey.
• Civil Cheese — Civil cheese, made from fresh milk and separated into strands, is produced in Pasinler using traditional methods.

Economy

Pasinler is one of the most populous districts of Erzurum. The fertile farmland of the Pasinler Plain makes it an important centre for wheat, barley and fodder crops. Livestock farming and dairy production are also main sources of income.

How to Get to Pasinler

Pasinler is about 40 km from Erzurum city centre. It lies on the Erzurum–Kars road. The nearest airport is Erzurum Airport. The district can be reached by intercity bus and minibus services. A rail connection also exists.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Erzurum

Pasinler: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Pasinler Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Erzurum The province's 20 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Erzurum

• Aşkale 4 places Karasu Valley, Aşkale Castle and Aşkale Hot Springs
• Aziziye 5 places Aziziye Redoubts, Ilıca Hot Springs and Nene Hatun Monument
• Çat 4 places Çat Dam and Lake, Çat Castle and Çat Plateaus
• Hınıs 4 places Hınıs Castle, Hınıs Plain and Hınıs Grand Mosque
• Horasan 5 places Horasan Castle, Aras River Valley and Horasan Grand Mosque
• İspir 5 places Çoruh Valley, İspir Castle and İspir Yedigöller (Seven Lakes)
• Karaçoban 7 places Karaçoban Castle, Foothills of the Bingöl Mountains and Karaçoban Plateaus
• Karayazı 4 places Aras River Banks, Köyceğiz Reservoir and Çakmak Mountain
• Köprüköy 5 places Çobandede Bridge, Aras River Valley and Köprüköy Castle
• Narman 5 places Narman Fairy Chimneys, Narman Five Lakes and Red Hills (Rainbow Hills)
• Oltu 8 places Oltu Castle, Oltu Taşı Mines and Gökkaya (Rainbow) Hills
• Olur 5 places Olur Castle, Çakoş Plateau and Olur Waterfall
• Palandöken 4 places Palandöken Ski Centre, Ejder 3200 Ski Centre and Atatürk House Museum
• Pazaryolu 4 places Medieval castle ruins, Pazaryolu plateaus and Norgah Castle
• Şenkaya 5 places Şenkaya Castle, Bardız Stream Valley and Şenkaya Plateaus
• Tekman 9 places Tekman Castle, Tekman Plain and Tekman Plateaus
• Tortum 5 places Hahuli Monastery, Tortum Waterfall and Tortum Lake
• Uzundere 7 places Tortum Waterfall, Tortum Lake and Öşkvank (Öşk Vank) Kilisesi
• Yakutiye 6 places Yakutiye Madrasa, Çifte Minareli Madrasa and Erzurum Castle and Clock Tower