Getting to Know Uşak
Uşak is a province in the Inner Aegean part of the Aegean Region, set on the Gördes–Uşak Plateau at an altitude of about 920 metres. Its position linking Western and Central Anatolia has made it a transit region throughout history. It is 211 km from Izmir, 368 km from Ankara and 491 km from Istanbul.
In the time of the Lydian king Croesus (Karun) (560–546 BC), the region was one of the centres of wealth. The artefacts taken in the 1960s from tumuli around the town of Güre, near Uşak, and smuggled to the USA were recovered in 1993 at the end of a long legal process; known as the Karun Treasure, they are displayed in the Uşak Archaeology Museum. In the region’s history the Persian, Macedonian, Pergamene, Roman and Byzantine periods followed one another; after Manzikert in 1071 it came under Turkish rule in the time of Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Şah, was then added to the lands of the Germiyanids, and in the Ottoman period became a district (kaza) of the sanjak of Kütahya.
Uşak’s world-renowned asset is the Uşak carpet: the city is one of the oldest and best-known centres of Anatolian carpet weaving, and its carpet has a registered geographical indication. The natural symbol of the province is Ulubey Canyon, declared a nature park on 27 June 2013.
When to Go
Uşak has the continental climate of the interior: winters are cold, and summers are hot and dry. Averages from the General Directorate of Meteorology, 1939–2025:
| Month |
Avg. high |
Avg. low |
Rainfall |
Rainy days |
| January |
7.0 °C |
-1.2 °C |
73 mm |
11 |
| February |
8.4 °C |
-0.6 °C |
67 mm |
10 |
| March |
11.8 °C |
1.4 °C |
58 mm |
10 |
| April |
16.9 °C |
5.3 °C |
51 mm |
9 |
| May |
21.9 °C |
9.2 °C |
48 mm |
9 |
| June |
26.6 °C |
12.7 °C |
27 mm |
5 |
| July |
30.5 °C |
15.5 °C |
17 mm |
2 |
| August |
30.7 °C |
15.7 °C |
13 mm |
2 |
| September |
26.4 °C |
12.0 °C |
19 mm |
3 |
| October |
20.4 °C |
8.0 °C |
42 mm |
6 |
| November |
14.3 °C |
3.9 °C |
59 mm |
7 |
| December |
8.9 °C |
0.8 °C |
85 mm |
11 |
The best times to visit are April–June and September–October. Spring, when everything is green, is ideal for Ulubey Canyon and the ancient cities; in winter, frosts are frequent in the city centre.
How to Get to Uşak
By air: Uşak Airport is 4 km from the city and opened in 1998; it was closed to civilian flights in 2011, and from 10 January 2014 flights to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport resumed. The terminal is used for both civilian and military purposes.
By road: The city is linked by road to Izmir (211 km), Ankara (368 km) and Istanbul (491 km). The province has 6 districts.
Uşak Area by Area
- Merkez: Kırık Minare Mosque (1826), historic Uşak houses, and the Uşak Archaeology Museum (Karun Treasure, Lydian Period hall).
- Ulubey: Ulubey Canyon Nature Park; the ancient city of Blaundos within the boundaries of Sülümenli village.
- Karahallı: The Clandras (Cilandiras) aqueduct over the Banaz Stream, and Karahallı melons.
- Sivaslı: The ancient city of Sebaste in the town of Selçikler.
- Banaz: One of the province’s districts; the Banaz Stream basin.
- Eşme: 62 km south-west of Uşak, home of the Eşme kilim (Yörük kilim).
Suggested Itineraries
Day 1 — Uşak centre: The Karun Treasure in the Archaeology Museum, Kırık Minare Mosque and the historic houses; in the evening, Uşak tarhana and helva.
Day 2 — Ulubey and Blaundos: The viewpoints of Ulubey Canyon and the ancient city of Blaundos.
Day 3 — Karahallı and Sivaslı: The Clandras aqueduct, the ruins of Sebaste and Karahallı melons.
Uşak Cuisine
Uşak cuisine is known for its tarhana, its helvas and its pastry dishes. Flavours with a registered geographical indication are: Uşak tarhanası, Uşak helvası, Uşak gelin helvası, Uşak baklavası, Uşak Ulubey zini hamursuzu, Karahallı ciğeri and Uşak haşhaş ezmesi (poppy-seed paste). Products: Karahallı kavunu (melons), Uşak susamı (sesame) and Uşak keten tohumu (flaxseed).
Handicrafts
Uşak carpets and Eşme–Yörük kilims carry registered geographical indications.
Practical Tips
- To see the Karun Treasure, check the visiting hours of the Archaeology Museum in advance.
- At Ulubey Canyon, beware of areas without edge railings; the ground becomes slippery after spring rains.
- Buy Uşak tarhana and helva from local producers.
