Things to Do in Tunceli: 6 Best Places to Visit

Getting to Know Tunceli

Tunceli lies in the Upper Euphrates Basin of Eastern Anatolia, in a rugged landscape between the Munzur Mountains, the Karasu, the Bingöl Mountains and Keban Dam Lake. The Munzur Mountains stretch for about 130 km from the north-west of the province to the north and north-east; the most important valleys in the province are those of the Munzur, Mercan, Pülümür, Peri and Tahar streams. The province lies entirely within the Euphrates Basin and is surrounded by natural boundaries.

Tunceli’s historical name is Dersim. The region was settled in the Chalcolithic Age (5500–3500 BC) and passed through the Hurrian-Mitanni period (Išuwa) and the Urartian era. Under Ottoman rule, in 1847 it was attached to Erzurum as the “Dersim Sanjak” with Hozat as its centre, and in 1879 it became a separate province under the name Dersim. In the Republican period, the province was renamed Tunceli by Law No. 2884, “on the Administration of the Province of Tunceli”, passed on 25 December 1935, and the provincial centre was moved to the village of Mamiki.

The province’s most important natural asset is Munzur Valley National Park: the 42,000-hectare area, declared in 1971, is known for its springs, endemic plant species and wildlife. It stretches between Tunceli and Ovacık. Pertek Castle, standing like an island in the middle of Keban Dam Lake on the Murat River, is known for structures left from the time when the Mengujekids dominated the region after 1071; the castle is also thought to have been built in the Urartian period.

When to Go

Tunceli has a continental climate: winters are cold and snowy, summers very hot. Averages for 1960–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service:

Month	Avg. high	Avg. low	Rainfall	Rainy days
January	3.2 °C	−5.3 °C	128 mm	12
February	5.3 °C	−3.9 °C	105 mm	12
March	11.5 °C	1.1 °C	116 mm	13
April	18.4 °C	6.3 °C	104 mm	14
May	24.1 °C	10.1 °C	73 mm	13
June	30.2 °C	14.5 °C	18 mm	5
July	35.2 °C	18.9 °C	6 mm	2
August	35.5 °C	18.5 °C	5 mm	1
September	30.7 °C	13.4 °C	17 mm	3
October	22.9 °C	8.2 °C	62 mm	8
November	13.7 °C	2.1 °C	101 mm	9
December	5.9 °C	−2.2 °C	133 mm	12

The best periods are May to June and September to October. These measurements are for Tunceli city centre; the high parts of the Munzur Mountains and the highland pastures are much cooler. Highland roads may be closed by snow throughout the winter.

How to Get to Tunceli

By road: Tunceli is linked by road to Elazığ, Erzincan and Bingöl; the road to Pertek leaves from Elazığ, on the opposite shore of Keban Dam Lake. There is no airport with scheduled passenger flights within the province; the airports of neighbouring provinces are used.

Tunceli Area by Area

• Merkez and Ovacık: Munzur Valley National Park and the Munzur Springs.
• Pertek: Pertek Castle, overlooking Keban Dam Lake.
• Hozat: The former centre of the Dersim Sanjak (1847).
• Çemişgezek: At 999 metres, with an area of 851 km²; highland villages and Çemişgezek Ulukale mulberries.
• Nazımiye: At 1,531 metres, the least populous district in the province.
• Pülümür and Mazgirt: The Pülümür Stream Valley; Pülümür underground spring salt.

Suggested Itineraries

Day 1 – Munzur Valley: From Tunceli centre towards Ovacık, a walk along the Munzur Stream and the Munzur Springs.

Day 2 – Pertek: Pertek Castle on the shore of Keban Dam Lake, with views over the lake.

Day 3 – Çemişgezek and Nazımiye: Highland villages and mountain roads.

Tunceli Cuisine

Tunceli cuisine is based on mountain and highland produce. The delicacy with a registered geographical indication is Tunceli Şorbik çorbası (Şorbik soup). The products are Munzur balı (Munzur honey), Tunceli sarımsağı (Tunceli garlic), Çemişgezek Ulukale dutu (Çemişgezek Ulukale mulberries) and Tunceli Pülümür yer altı kaynak tuzu (Tunceli Pülümür underground spring salt).

Practical Tips

• The water at the Munzur Springs is used as drinking water in the villages, so entering the water is forbidden in some sections; obey the warning signs.
• For highland roads and mountain passes, check snow and rainfall conditions on the roads in advance.
• Do not leave the marked paths in the national park, and do not leave any waste.