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7 places to visit in the Çifteler district of Eskişehir: Sakaryabaşı Picnic Area, Çifteler Stud Farm (Anadolu Tarım İşletmesi) and Çifteler Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Çifteler with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Çifteler is a district of Eskişehir Province. It covers 858 km², and the average elevation of the district centre above sea level is 877 metres.

History

The district’s first centre was the original site of the Çiftlikât-ı Hümayun, also known as the Mahmudiye Farm, established around 1815 in the name of Sultan Mahmut. Known as Çifteler Village in the Republic period, the place became a district centre in 1954.

Climate and Geography

Summers are dry and hot, winters are cold and dry, and springs and autumns are cool and rainy. Of the district’s 61,850 hectares of farmland, 14,000 hectares are irrigated and 47,580 hectares are dry-farmed.

Social Structure

The population consists of local people, Manavlar, migrants from Bulgaria and Romania, Circassians, Tatars, Turkmens and Yörüks, and migrants from Posof. The nuclear family structure predominates.

Economy

Of the 82,000 hectares of land across the district, 75% is farmland, and 20% of that is irrigable. 90% of the district’s population is engaged in farming and livestock. Each year the district produces around 65,000 tonnes of sugar beet, 60,558 tonnes of wheat and 39,525 tonnes of barley.

Tourism

Sakaryabaşı is a beautiful picnic site. Its facilities include an Olympic swimming pool, a children’s pool and a sports complex, built in 1992 as part of a 3-star tourist hotel and its annexes. It is possible to try fish dishes at the family restaurants in Sakaryabaşı.

History and Culture

Çifteler is the first centre of the Çiftlikât-ı Hümayun, established around 1815 in the name of Sultan Mahmut. Known as Çifteler Village in the Republic period, the place became a district centre in 1954 by Law no. 6821. The Sakarya River rises at Sakaryabaşı, within the boundaries of Çifteler district.

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Places to Visit in Çifteler

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
Nature

Sakaryabaşı Picnic Area

A picnic area in Çifteler district, in the place where the Sakarya River begins. It lies on the eastern bank of the Sakarya River and covers an area of around 250,000 m².

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Attraction

Çifteler Stud Farm (Anadolu Tarım İşletmesi)

Founded in 1864 in the Ottoman period, Çifteler Stud Farm is one of Türkiye's oldest and largest horse-breeding farms. Where purebred Arab and English horses are bred, the stud offers visitors horse care and riding experiences.

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Religious

Çifteler Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in the town centre was built in the Ottoman period and is notable for its traditional stone architecture. Original wall frescoes that came to light during restoration have added to the building's artistic value.

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Nature

Sakaryabaşı

The place called Sakaryabaşı, where the Sakarya River rises, lies within the boundaries of Çifteler district.

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Nature

Sarıkayalar Caves

On the eastern side of Sakaryabaşı, two large cave entrances are reported at Sarıkayalar.

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Historic

Yazılı Kaya

According to the source, Yazılı Kaya is a temple from the Neo-Phrygian period.

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Historic

Kırkodalı Monumental Tomb

According to the source, the Kırkodalı monumental tomb is located directly opposite Yazılı Kaya.

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Places to Visit Around Eskişehir Province

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While you are in Çifteler, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; Çifteler is about 55 km from the provincial centre.

  • Odunpazarı Houses — The historic quarter on the hills where the city first grew up; with its winding streets and colourful timber houses with bay windows, it preserves the Ottoman urban fabric and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2012. Many of the houses are now museums, workshops or cafés.
  • Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) — A contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with stacked timber beams, inspired by Odunpazarı's past as a wood market; it opened on 7 September 2019 with the collection of Erol Tabanca, an architect and collector from Eskişehir.
  • Kurşunlu Complex — A complex of mosque, soup kitchen, caravanserai and madrasa built by Çoban Mustafa Paşa in 1525; its caravanserai is counted among the works of Mimar Sinan.
  • Porsuk River Banks — The banks of the Porsuk River, which divides the city centre in two, have been landscaped with bridges, walking paths and cafés; gondola and boat tours run on the river.
  • Midas Monument and Midas City (Yazılıkaya) — A 17-metre Phrygian cult façade carved into the rock around 600 BC in the Yazılıkaya neighbourhood of the Han district; the name Midas appears in the Phrygian inscriptions.
  • Pessinus (Ballıhisar) — A Phrygian and Roman city in the village of Ballıhisar, south of Sivrihisar, and the most important place of worship of the mother goddess Cybele.

Practical Information for Visiting Çifteler

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer months
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Çifteler

Food guide →

  • Çibörek

    Çibörek, a minced meat filling wrapped in thin dough and fried in hot oil, is a classic dish of the Eskişehir region. Being prepared with fresh, natural ingredients makes it a healthy option.

  • Balaban Kebabı

    Balaban kebabı, a dish specific to Eskişehir, is prepared by pouring döner meat, buttered tomato sauce and yoghurt over pide bread. Being prepared with fresh, natural ingredients makes it a healthy option.

  • Met Helvası (starch halva)

    Made with starch, sugar and butter, met helvası is one of Eskişehir's traditional desserts.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Çifteler

  • Ottoman Stud Farm Tradition

    Çifteler has been one of Türkiye's most important horse-breeding centres since 1864. The stud farm, founded in the Ottoman period, continued its activities in the Republican period and is an important part of Turkish horse-breeding history.

  • Source of the Sakarya River

    Çifteler is home to the source of the Sakarya River, one of Türkiye's longest rivers. Sakaryabaşı is a water source regarded as sacred by local people for centuries.

Local Products

  • Çifteler Horses — Purebred Arab and English horses raised at Çifteler Stud Farm are among Türkiye's most valuable horse breeds.
  • Çifteler Honey — Flower honey collected from the district's farmland is a natural, aromatic type of honey.

Economy

Çifteler's economy is based on farming, livestock and horse breeding. Çifteler Stud Farm is an important source of employment. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are grown in agriculture.

How to Get to Çifteler

Çifteler is about 55 km from Eskişehir city centre. It lies on the Eskişehir–Afyon road. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.

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Çifteler: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Çifteler?

The 7 standout places in Çifteler: Sakaryabaşı Picnic Area, Çifteler Stud Farm (Anadolu Tarım İşletmesi), Çifteler Grand Mosque, Sakaryabaşı, Sarıkayalar Caves, Yazılı Kaya and Kırkodalı Monumental Tomb.

What is there to eat in Çifteler?

Çibörek, Balaban Kebabı and Met Helvası are standout dishes on tables in Çifteler.

What is Çifteler famous for?

Çifteler is known for Çifteler Horses and the Ottoman Stud Farm Tradition. Purebred Arab and English horses raised at Çifteler Stud Farm are among Türkiye's most valuable horse breeds.

How do I get to Çifteler?

Çifteler is about 55 km from Eskişehir city centre. It lies on the Eskişehir–Afyon road. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Çifteler?

Recommended visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer months.

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