Things To Do
in Bingöl
Bingöl is a small city in eastern Turkey known for its surrounding mountains, high plateaus and a landscape dotted with small lakes. The name literally means “a thousand lakes,” reflecting the many alpine tarns and wetlands in the province. The city blends Kurdish and Turkish rural culture with simple urban life—tea houses, local markets and quiet streets.
Outdoor activities, rugged scenery and seasonal contrasts (heavy snow in winter, pleasant highland summers) define the visit.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arriving at Bingöl Airport, check into a boutique hotel with mountain views. Sip on freshly brewed Turkish tea on the terrace while watching the morning light dance over the city. Feel the crisp Anatolian air invigorate your senses before setting out.
Stroll through the lively city center to admire Ottoman-era architecture and the remains of Bingöl Castle perched on a nearby hill. Browse local handicrafts at the Captain Ahmet Zeki Tekinel Cultural Center to see traditional weaving techniques. Stop at a small café to taste a plate of kebab paired with ayran for a hearty midday meal.
Head to Sevim Çeşmesi Square for an early evening stroll among bustling shops and jugglers. As the sun sets, indulge in a dinner of tandır cooked in a clay oven at a beloved family-run lokanta. Cap off the night with a glass of dark cherry sherbet while enjoying the soft glow of street lamps.
Start your day at the vibrant market near the old clock tower and relish a simit while mingling with vendors. Wander through the 13th-century Ulu Mosque to admire its intricate Seljuk-era stone carvings. Let the echo of the adhan from the minaret set the tone for a day steeped in history.
Venture to the Bingöl Museum to explore ancient artifacts dating back to Urartian and Roman eras. Take a guided tour through the Zeki Tekinel Cultural Center to learn about regional carpets and hear tales of local tribal legends. Pause for a soupy lunch of keşkek served in a traditional copper bowl.
Watch a live folk dance performance at a local tea house, where dancers whirl in vibrant costumes. Savor a plate of stuffed mulberries and sip on hot apple tea as stories of the region come to life. Stroll under the glow of lanterns in a quiet back alley before heading back to your hotel.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $7-12 |
| 🚌Local bus / dolmuş fare | $0.50-1.50 |
| ☕️Tea or coffee in a cafe | $1-3 |
| 🍽️Dinner at mid-range restaurant (per person) | $12-25 |
| 🛏️Basic hotel / guesthouse (per night) | $25-60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Beautiful highland scenery and numerous small lakes ideal for nature lovers and photographers
- Authentic local culture and low tourist crowds offer a peaceful, immersive experience
- Affordable prices for food, accommodation and transport
- Good base for exploring eastern Anatolia’s rural landscapes and plateaus
- Limited nightlife and fewer tourist services compared with major Turkish cities
- Harsh winter weather can restrict travel and access to rural areas
- Fewer English speakers and limited signage in English outside the city center
- Public transport to remote sites can be infrequent; a car or local guide is often needed
- "Merhaba" - Hello
- "Teşekkür ederim" - Thank you
- "Lütfen" - Please
- "Ne kadar?" - How much?
- "Tuvalet nerede?" - Where is the toilet?
- "Yardım edebilir misiniz?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Bingöl
Visit one of these nice places.
A photogenic waterfall near the city center with easy access, good for long-exposure shots and seasonal contrasts (lush in spring, dramatic in snowmelt).
Alpine tarns and wetlands above the city offer mirror-like lakes, wildflowers in summer and sweeping mountain vistas — ideal for landscape photography.
Elevated viewpoints on the city’s rim provide wide-angle shots of Bingöl’s urban fabric set against surrounding ridgelines, especially striking at sunrise or sunset.
Vibrant market stalls, colorful produce and candid scenes in tea houses capture daily life and local culture up close.
In winter the surrounding peaks and villages are dusted with snow, creating high-contrast monochrome landscapes and dramatic skies.
Food in Bingöl
Bingöl Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A filling dish of simmered lamb and bulgur, often served with yogurt or salad; you’ll find it in local lokantas and home-style restaurants.
Must-Try!
Slow-cooked meat and vegetables in a clay casserole; hearty and common in colder months at traditional eateries.
Fresh shepherd’s salad (tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley) and ayran (salted yogurt drink) are staple accompaniments to meals.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Traditional weekly market where local farmers sell vegetables, cheeses, eggs, dried goods and seasonal herbs — great for tasting fresh produce and buying local jams and cheese.
Small street stalls and vendors offer simit (sesame bread rings), gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) and roasted corn; try gözleme at bakeries or market stalls for a quick snack.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Bingöl is socially conservative compared with western Turkish cities—dress modestly in rural areas and when visiting religious sites. Avoid loud or overly demonstrative behavior in small communities.
A common greeting is a handshake or nod; elders are shown respect. Hosts often offer tea—accepting it is polite, and it’s customary to remove shoes when entering private homes.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and in conservative villages. Respect privacy and religious norms.
Safety
Tipping in Bingöl
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; leave 5–10% at sit-down restaurants if service is good. Round up taxi fares, give small tips to hotel staff (a few TL/USD equivalent) and leave modest change for cleaners.
Cash (Turkish lira) is widely used, especially in markets and small shops; credit/debit cards are accepted in larger restaurants, hotels and some stores. ATMs are available in the city center—carry cash when traveling to rural areas.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Melting snow fills lakes and streams; wildflowers bloom on the plateaus. Temperatures moderate, but late snow or chilly nights are possible—pack layers and waterproofs for hikes.
Warm days and cool nights in highlands; ideal for hiking and open-air exploration. Inland plains can be hot in July–August, but evening temperatures drop pleasantly at higher elevations.
Crisp air and colorful foliage on slopes; good weather for photography and fewer tourists. Nights grow colder, especially later in the season—bring a warm jacket.
Cold with significant snowfall in and around Bingöl; mountain roads may be snowbound and some rural sites inaccessible. Be prepared for icy conditions and possible travel delays.
Bingöl at Night
Hiking in Bingöl
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A network of highland meadows and small lakes above the city ideal for day hikes, photography and birdwatching; trails are often informal and best done with local knowledge.
Expansive plateaus and grazing lands offering long-distance views, seasonal wildflowers and pastoral scenes—accessible by road and suitable for moderate hikes.
Rural trails around Genç district provide varied terrain—villages, streams and rolling hills that are rewarding for cultural and nature walks.
Short ridge walks near the city provide panoramic vistas and are often used for sunrise/sunset photography; conditions vary seasonally so check local weather.
Airports
How to reach Bingöl by plane.
Small regional airport with domestic connections; convenient for reaching the city quickly when flights are available. Ground transfers (taxis or shuttle) connect the airport to the city.
Major regional airport about a few hours’ drive away with more frequent domestic connections; useful as an alternative when Bingöl flights are limited.
Larger airport serving eastern Anatolia; a longer drive but offers more flight options and is useful for travelers combining visits to multiple eastern provinces.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A majority of the province’s population identify as Kurdish or Zaza-speaking groups, with strong village and rural community ties and distinct cultural traditions.
Ethnic Turks live in urban centers and administrative roles; the city reflects a mix of Kurdish, Zaza and Turkish cultural influences.
Mostly Sunni Muslim with some Alevi communities; religious practices and observances shape local festivals and daily routines.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport across the region—local amateur clubs and neighborhood matches are common, and watching football is a popular pastime in tea houses.
Traditional Turkish wrestling and regional folk sports appear at local festivals and village celebrations, reflecting cultural heritage.
Hiking, trekking and seasonal hunting in rural areas are practiced by locals; outdoor activities are shaped by the mountainous landscape.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Bingöl.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but are more limited than in big cities; soups, lentil dishes, vegetable stews, salads and gözleme with cheese or spinach are common. Communicate that you don’t eat meat (et/etli) and ask for vegetable-based dishes; in rural areas, specifying ingredients helps.
Vegan choices can be limited; legumes, salads and roasted vegetables are options but check for butter or yogurt in preparations. Gluten-free travelers should be cautious: bulgur, bread and pastries are common — ask about preparations and opt for plain grilled meats, salads and rice where possible.
Most meat in Bingöl is prepared according to local Muslim customs and is effectively halal in practice; you can ask to confirm if needed.