Erzincan Turkey travel guide to Kemaliye
Erzincan, Turkey
Erzincan is an inland city in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, set on a broad plain in the upper Euphrates basin. Its identity is tied less to any coastline than to the nearby river and valley landscapes. Around the city, the meeting of open plain and mountain scenery creates a broad natural backdrop.
The city is particularly associated with the devastating 1939 Erzincan earthquake, in a seismically active area. Because much of Erzincan was extensively rebuilt after major earthquake damage, the present-day city has a largely modern appearance. Visitors therefore encounter a rebuilt urban landscape rather than a strongly preserved monumental historic core.
Erzincan combines practical city access with nearby nature, mountain scenery, canyon excursions, and winter sports. That mix suits short holidays or a travel guide itinerary shaped around both the city itself and the surrounding excursion areas. It also works well as a base for pairing everyday urban services with natural sites across the wider province.
The main visitor areas are the city center, used for everyday commerce and local dining, and the outlying excursion zones associated with Erzincan, including Girlevik Selalesi, the Eksisu area, Kemaliye, Karanlik Kanyon, Tas Yol, and Ergan Mountain Winter Sports Center. Erzincan is linked to the rest of Turkey by road, rail, and domestic air service. Erzincan Yildirim Akbulut Airport serves the city and lies about 9 km from the center.
Erzincan has a continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters that often bring snow. Spring and early summer are especially suitable for visiting waterfalls and seeing greener scenery in the surrounding valleys. Very hot midsummer afternoons are less comfortable for extended walking, while snowy winter periods can be a drawback if you are planning mountain road trips.
Erzincan on the map
Erzincan: Attractions, interesting places for excursions
Kemaliye, Girlevik Waterfall, Karanlik Canyon, Ergan Ski Resort
What to see in Erzincan, from Kemaliye to Ergan attractions
Waterfalls, canyon roads, and tulum cheese on a broad Anatolian plain
City streets, Kemaliye heritage, and canyon routes
In Erzincan itself, the city center is defined by wide streets, modern buildings, everyday commerce, and local dining, rather than by a preserved old-town core. The province's strongest heritage layer is found in Kemaliye, historically known as Egin, one of the most important heritage destinations linked with Erzincan Province. For travelers interested in heritage-focused attractions connected with the area, it is one of the key places to visit.
Natural scenery shapes much of what to see around Erzincan. Girlevik Selalesi is among the best-known natural attractions associated with the city and makes a common short excursion, while the Eksisu area is known for mineral springs and picnic-oriented leisure visits. Near Kemaliye, Karanlik Kanyon stands out as one of the region's most distinctive canyon landscapes, and Tas Yol is a notable sightseeing route carved into rock.
Many visitors take a short trip to Girlevik Selalesi, spend leisure time around the mineral springs area at Eksisu, continue on to Kemaliye, and see Karanlik Kanyon and Tas Yol. In winter, Ergan Mountain Winter Sports Center adds skiing and gives the area a seasonal sports role beyond ordinary provincial sightseeing. Local dining is usually straightforward and affordable, centered on regional Anatolian cooking and grill restaurants, and Erzincan is strongly associated with tulum peyniri.
City Details
City overview – facts & data for travelers
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Erzincan views
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
