Things to Do in Bulanık: 7 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Bulanık

• 3 Historic
• 4 Nature

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

• Battle of Manzikert Site — The plain where the battle was fought on 26 August 1071, in which Sultan Alparslan defeated the Byzantine emperor Romanos IV Diogenes; it has been laid out as a historical national park with monuments and memorial areas.
• Malazgirt Castle (Manzikert) — The medieval castle and wall remains surrounding the centre of the Malazgirt district.
• Muş Grand Mosque — A historic mosque in the city centre, west of the Alaeddin Bey and Hacı Şeref mosques; it has no inscription and is thought to have been built on top of an older structure.
• Muş Plain — One of the broadest plains in Eastern Anatolia, irrigated by the Murat River; in spring it is ringed by the areas where the Muş tulip blooms.
• Haçlı (Kazan) Lake — A dammed lake formed by the Kızkopan volcano, south of Bulanık; it lies at an altitude of 1,583 metres, covers about 27 km² and is home to wetland birds.
• Arak Monastery Ruins — The ruins of an Armenian monastery, believed to have been founded in the 4th century, in the village of Kepenek in the central district; the monastery was largely demolished in 1960.

Practical Information for Visiting Bulanık

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring (April–May, tulip season)

Places to visit

7 places

• 🍖

  Bulanık Köftesi

  Prepared by kneading fine bulgur and minced meat, then filling the dough with a meat stuffing. Served boiled or fried with a yoghurt sauce.

• 🥣

  Heriso (Keşkek)

  Prepared by simmering wheat and chicken meat for hours until it reaches a porridge-like consistency. It is the traditional winter dish of Bulanık.

• 🫓

  Lor Peynirli Gözleme

  Flatbread prepared with fresh lor cheese and local herbs, cooked on a griddle and served with butter.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Bulanık

• 🌷

  Ters Lale Culture

  The ters laleler (Fritillaria imperialis) that grow naturally on the Bulanık Plain are the cultural symbol of the district. Every spring, the local people celebrate the flowering of the tulips as the herald of spring.

• 🐑

  Nomadic Livestock Tradition

  The semi-nomadic livestock tradition still practised in the mountain villages of Bulanık is kept alive through the summer migration to the plateaus. Plateau festivals and traditional crafts are part of this culture.

Local Products

• Bulanık Balı — Flower honey gathered from the high-altitude plateaus of the district, known for its natural and organic character. Beekeeping is one of the region's important sources of livelihood.
• Bulanık Peyniri — Herbed cheese made from sheep and goat milk, matured and eaten in a tulum (goatskin) or in a tin.

Economy

The economy of Bulanık is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are the main agricultural products. Cattle and small livestock farming provide the livelihood for a significant part of the district's population. Beekeeping is also one of the growing sectors.

How to Get to Bulanık

Bulanık is 40 km from Muş and 80 km from Bitlis. Muş Airport is 48 km away. Regular minibus services run from Muş and neighbouring provinces.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Muş

Bulanık: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Bulanık Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Muş The province's 7 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Muş

• Muş Central District 8 places Muş Plain, Muş Castle and Alaeddin Paşa Mosque
• Hasköy 4 places Hasköy Castle, Murat River Valley and Hasköy Historic Stone Bridge
• Korkut 4 places Korkut Plateaus, Murat River Banks and Korkut Historic Mosque
• Malazgirt 7 places Malazgirt Victory Monument, Malazgirt Castle and Malazgirt Battle Historical National Park
• Varto