Photo: hüseyin yeşil (CC BY 3.0) · Source 11 places to visit in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş: Karahöyük (Elbistan Höyük), Elbistan Castle and Source of the Ceyhan River. Plan your trip to Elbistan with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Elbistan is a district of Kahramanmaraş Province. The district lies at the point where the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia regions meet.
In the Roman and Byzantine periods the city was called Plasta, and it appears under different names in Armenian and Arabic sources.
The district lies within the Upper Euphrates section of the Eastern Anatolia Region. To the north of Elbistan are Darende and Gürün; to the south, Nurhak and Ekinözü; to the east, Malatya, Doğanşehir and Akçadağ; and to the west, the districts of Afşin and Göksun.
Elbistan’s history goes back a very long way, and the district is very rich in höyük formations. Excavations in Kara Höyük Neighbourhood have brought to light some artefacts from the Late Hittite period. Elbistan was conquered by the Seljuks in 1084 and, during the Crusades, was repeatedly plundered and changed hands. The district joined the Ottoman Empire in 1515 following the Battle of Turnadağ.
Elbistan served as the capital of the Dulkadiroğlu Beylik, the last principality to join the Ottoman state. As Elbistan does not yet have a museum, these artefacts are displayed in Istanbul, Ankara, Adana and Kahramanmaraş. In the district and its villages, the Avşar, Bayat and Beydili Oghuz tribes make up the majority.
The Elbistan City Museum opened on 19 June 2021 and holds around 1,500 artefacts. The museum building is the former Government House, restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Because of the damage it suffered over the centuries, few historical monuments remain in the district.
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Karahöyük, settled from the 3rd millennium BC, contains layers from the Hittite, Late Hittite and Roman periods. Hittite reliefs uncovered in the excavations are displayed at the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
View on mapThe castle on the hill overlooking the Elbistan Plain was used in the Byzantine and Seljuk periods. Parts of the castle walls still stand.
View on mapExcavations in Kara Höyük Neighbourhood have uncovered some artefacts from the Late Hittite period. The district is described as rich in höyük formations.
View on mapSo far, 21 höyüks have been found in excavations in the Upper Ceyhan region.
View on mapA castle built on a hill in Kale village; it lies within the district boundaries.
View on mapListed among the cultural assets within the district boundaries on the Elbistan page of the Kahramanmaraş Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
View on mapA tomb mentioned in the Islam Ansiklopedisi (Encyclopaedia of Islam) alongside the Ulucami in the city.
View on mapA museum established by restoring the former Government House, with 17 exhibition halls reflecting the historical and cultural heritage of Elbistan and its surroundings. It opened in June 2021.
View on mapThe Ceyhan River, one of Türkiye's longest rivers, rises from springs near Elbistan. The spring area is notable for its natural beauty.
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Photo: hüseyin yeşil (CC BY 3.0) · Source The Elbistan Plain, one of Türkiye's largest plains, lies at an altitude of 1,150 metres. Its fertile farmland and the mountain scenery around it are impressive.
View on mapAccording to the Islam Ansiklopedisi (Encyclopaedia of Islam), this is the district's most important tourist area, a place with natural spring water.
View on mapWhile you are in Elbistan, you can also see the highlights of Kahramanmaraş province. These places are in other districts.
Elbistan Kelle Peyniri was registered as a protected geographical indication on 22 November 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1500). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality.
Elbistan tava, lamb fried in a pan with onions and peppers, is the district's best-known dish.
Tarhana made with yoghurt, wheat and vegetables is an essential soup on Elbistan's winter tables.
Elbistan was one of the major settlement centres of the Hittite Empire. The Karahöyük excavations have revealed 5,000 years of the region's history.
Elbistan is the largest district of Kahramanmaraş. Lignite mining and the thermal power plant form the basis of the district's economy. Agriculture, livestock farming and trade are also important sources of livelihood.
Elbistan is 135 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus services run from Kahramanmaraş, Malatya and Kayseri.
The highlights of Elbistan are 11 sites: Karahöyük (Elbistan Höyük), Elbistan Castle, Source of the Ceyhan River, Elbistan Plain, Kara Höyük Neighbourhood excavation site, Upper Ceyhan Region Mounds, Elbistan City Museum, Grand Mosque, Himmet Baba Tomb, Kız Castle and Cela Mineral Springs.
Elbistan Kelle Peyniri, Elbistan Tava and Maraş Tarhanası are the standout flavours on Elbistan's tables.
Elbistan is known for Elbistan Walnuts and the Hittite and Late Hittite Heritage. The walnuts grown on the Elbistan Plain are known for their large kernels and rich oil content.
Elbistan is 135 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus services run from Kahramanmaraş, Malatya and Kayseri.
Suggested visit time: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.