What to Do in Erzurum Besides Skiing: Places to See in Winter

If you take a day off skiing at Palandöken, Erzurum's historic centre is compact enough to see in a few hours. The Double Minaret Madrasa, the Yakutiye Madrasa, the Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler) and Erzurum Castle are within walking distance of each other; browsing the oltu stone shops in Taşhan and stopping for cağ kebab rounds off the day. In snowy weather these stone buildings take on an atmosphere you won't see in summer.

Why set aside a day for the city?

As Palandöken is very close to Erzurum, it is easy to combine a ski holiday with the city. If your legs are tired by the end of the second day, if the weather is windy and foggy, or if there are non-skiers in your group, a day's city tour adds both rest and culture to the holiday. With buildings from the Seljuk, Saltukid, Ilkhanid and Ottoman periods, Erzurum is one of the historically richest cities in Eastern Anatolia.

The Erzurum Palandöken Ski Tour programme includes an optional city tour on the third day for those who want it: the Double Minaret Madrasa, Yakutiye and the area around the historic bazaar. Below we describe these stops, along with places nearby you can see if you have time left.

Stops on the city tour

Double Minaret Madrasa

Regarded as the symbol of Erzurum, this Seljuk madrasa is known for its two slender minarets and its portal adorned with rich stonework. It is also known as the Hatuniye Madrasa. Its snow-covered courtyard and the silhouette of the minarets rising into a grey sky make one of the city's most striking winter sights. Take some time to look closely at the floral and geometric motifs on the portal.

The Yakutiye Madrasa

Built in the Ilkhanid period in the early 14th century, the Yakutiye Madrasa stands out for the tree of life, eagle and lion reliefs on its portal. The building, now used as a museum, displays works relating to Erzurum's handicrafts and oltu stone. We recommend checking the visiting conditions before you go.

The historic bazaar and Taşhan

The best-known part of Erzurum's bazaar is Taşhan, also known as the Rüstem Pasha Bazaar. Here, prayer beads, rings and jewellery made from the black oltu stone unique to the region are sold, and you can also watch craftsmen working the stone. Oltu stone is the most characteristic gift to take home from Erzurum.

If you have time left

Places outside the scope of the tour that you can see on your own or in your free time:

• The Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler): In the middle of the city, this group of three monumental tombs with conical roofs is especially photogenic in snowy weather. One of the tombs is attributed to the Saltukid ruler Emir Saltuk.
• Erzurum Castle and the Tepsi Minaret: The castle on the hill overlooking the city can be visited together with the Tepsi Minaret inside it, used as a clock tower. From the castle there are views of the city and snowy Palandöken.
• The Grand Mosque and Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque: These two buildings right next to the Double Minaret Madrasa bear traces of the city's Saltukid and Ottoman periods.

Although the stops are close to each other, the pavements can be icy and snowy in winter. Wearing waterproof boots with non-slip soles makes walking both safe and enjoyable.

What to eat in Erzurum

Food is a natural part of the city tour too. Erzurum's cuisine is hearty, suited to long, cold winters.

• Cağ kebab: Made from lamb cooked on a horizontal spit over a wood fire, cağ kebab is Erzurum's best-known dish. The thin slices the cook carves from the spit are served skewer by skewer; if you don't say you are full, the skewers may keep coming.
• Kadayıf dolması: Filled with walnuts and soaked in syrup, this dessert is the classic finish to an Erzurum meal.
• Ayran aşı and hot soups: Options to warm you up on a cold day.
• Tea: In Erzurum, tea is usually drunk "kıtlama" style, holding a sugar lump in your mouth. Trying this once is part of the local experience.

Photography tips

• Photograph the Double Minaret Madrasa from a little further away and a low angle so you can fit the whole of the minarets in the frame.
• At the Three Tombs, the contrast between the snowy ground and the dark stone buildings is ideal for black and white photos.
• For views from the castle, wait for a time when the sky is clear.
• Phone batteries drain quickly in the cold; keep your phone in an inside pocket.

How to plan a day

Starting after breakfast with the Double Minaret Madrasa and the nearby mosques, moving on to Yakutiye, having cağ kebab for lunch and spending the afternoon at Taşhan and the bazaar makes for a balanced day. Back at the hotel for a rest in the evening, you will be ready for the slopes again the next day.

For Palandöken's slopes and snow conditions, see our Palandöken ski guide; for choosing dates, see our article When to go to Palandöken. All our winter routes are on our ski holidays page.

Why is a city day valuable for non-skiers?

In a ski group, not everyone goes at the same pace. Some want to rest their legs on the third day, some don't ski at all, and some want to balance their ski holiday with culture. Erzurum's historic centre brings these different expectations together: those who spent the morning on the slopes and those who explored the city meet at the same table in the evening to share the day's memories. Especially for families and school groups, this is the day the holiday stops being "just skiing" and becomes a city discovery. Snow-covered madrasa courtyards and domes offer a winter image very different from the ski slopes, but every bit as memorable.

Frequently asked questions

What can you see in Erzurum in one day?

The Double Minaret Madrasa, the Yakutiye Madrasa, the Grand Mosque, the Three Tombs, Erzurum Castle and Taşhan can be seen in one day; the buildings are close to each other in the city centre. In winter, shoes with non-slip soles are important for walking.

Is a city tour included on the Palandöken tour?

The programme includes an optional Erzurum city tour on the third day: the Double Minaret Madrasa, Yakutiye and the area around the historic bazaar. We finalise the terms of participation together at the quote stage.

What to buy in Erzurum?

The most characteristic gifts are oltu stone prayer beads and jewellery sold at Taşhan. Among local treats, kadayıf dolması is also popular.

How do you eat cağ kebab?

Cağ kebab is served skewer by skewer; the thin slices are eaten with lavash and the onion and peppers served alongside. When you are full, just tell the cook.