Bingöl

Day Trips

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.

Drive an hour to Çapakçur Valley at dawn and feel the mist rise from the riverbanks. Follow winding trails beneath towering poplars as songbirds usher in the morning chorus. Allow yourself to pause at scenic overlooks and breathe in the pure mountain air.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the riverside, complete with local cheeses, fresh bread, and sweet grape molasses. Wade into the cool river to refresh tired legs or skip stones across the gentle currents. Document the emerald hues of the valley with your camera before continuing your trek.

Return to Bingöl and unwind with a restorative Turkish bath at a traditional hamam. Experience an invigorating kese exfoliation, followed by a lathering soap massage in steam-filled domes. Relax in the warm marble chambers as scented eucalyptus steam envelops you.

Set off early to Karaleylek Waterfalls, where cascading waters plunge into emerald pools. Hike the rugged trails that wind through pine forests and marvel at sunlit mist dancing in the air. Capture the dramatic scenery against the backdrop of distant peaks.

Transfer to the Murat River banks for a riverside lunch of grilled trout caught fresh that morning. Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the river’s gentle rapids and hidden coves. Take a moment to stretch out on a sun-warmed rock and soak up the wilderness sounds.

Gather around a riverside fire pit to enjoy freshly baked pide and local sausages roasted over open coals. Swap stories with fellow travelers under a canopy of stars far from city lights. Drift off to the rhythmic lullaby of flowing water as you camp by the river.

Rise at sunrise and drive to the natural hot springs of Solhan, known for their therapeutic mineral waters. Slip into steaming pools surrounded by snow-capped mountains and let the warmth ease every muscle. Breathe deeply as morning mist curls above the water’s surface.

Indulge in traditional spa treatments including clay masks and herbal infusions infused with local lavender. Relax in a jacuzzi fed by underground springs before drifting off for a brief power nap in a hammock. Sample a light lunch of gözleme filled with spinach and cheese as you soak.

Dine at the hot springs resort’s terrace restaurant with panoramic views of lit-up thermal pools. Savor a slow-cooked lamb tandır paired with a fine Anatolian red wine. Under the amber glow of lanterns, raise a toast to a day of pure rejuvenation.

Depart before dawn for Mount Meydan’s trailhead and begin the ascent under a blanket of stars. Follow rugged switchbacks as the sky shifts from indigo to rose, revealing a panoramic sunrise across the Eastern Anatolian plateau. Pause at rocky ledges to admire the sea of clouds far below.

Reach the summit plateau and enjoy a hearty meze picnic of tabbouleh, cured meats, and olives. Wander among alpine flowers and volcanic rock formations while inhaling the crisp, high-altitude air. Listen to the wind whisper through rare wild tulips that dot the landscape.

Return to the base village and rest weary feet in a cozy guesthouse run by a local family. Feast on a warming bowl of lentil soup followed by honey-drenched baklava for dessert. Drift off to sleep hearing the distant bleating of sheep.

Journey to Lake Balık, also known as Lake Nokrado, at first light and marvel at swans gliding across the mirrored surface. Walk the shoreline to spot migratory birds and delicate water lilies floating in calm coves. Feel the serene hush of the high plateau envelop you.

Rent a small boat to drift gently across the glassy water or try your hand at fishing rainbow trout for a fresh midday feast. Lay out a picnic blanket on the grassy banks and savor seasonal fruit picked from nearby orchards. Wander to the lake’s hidden inlets to discover secluded bays ideal for photos.

Settle around a crackling bonfire by the lakeshore as twilight deepens into night. Roast locally sourced corn and sweet chestnuts while sharing campfire songs with new friends. Gaze up to witness a glittering canvas of stars far from any city lights.

Drive to the ancient town of Kiğı to explore the ruins of its imposing medieval castle perched on a limestone outcrop. Wander through crumbling walls and imagine caravanserais once bustling with merchants on the Silk Road. Let a local guide recount legends of sultans and tradesmen that shaped the region.

Venture into nearby shepherd villages where time seems to stand still, and experience rural life firsthand. Visit homes where handcrafted rugs hang in windows to dry and join villagers in weaving a square of their iconic kilims. Share a simple lunch of lentil stew and freshly baked flatbread in a sunlit courtyard.

Stay overnight in a traditional stone guesthouse, lit by oil lamps and heated by a wood-burning stove. Enjoy a dinner of stuffed vine leaves and yogurt soup prepared with ingredients from the family’s garden. Fall asleep to the gentle murmur of mountain breezes outside your window.

After breakfast, head to the Kiğı Gorge for an adrenaline-pumping river rafting adventure on the roaring waters of the Kiğı River. Receive a safety briefing and don your gear before launching into Class III rapids under the guidance of experienced instructors. Feel the spray of jewel-toned water as your raft navigates rocky chutes.

Pull ashore at a secluded beach for a rustic riverside lunch of succulent kebabs and charred vegetables grilled over an open fire. Take turns cliff-diving into emerald pools or simply decompress on sun-warmed rocks. Capture action shots of your group as you tackle the gorge’s most thrilling rapids.

Return to Bingöl for a celebratory dinner with your rafting crew at a cozy riverside restaurant. Feast on kebab wraps, meze platters, and creamy hünkarbeğendi as you recount the day’s high-octane moments. Toast to friendship and adventure under the twinkle of lantern-lit terraces.

Begin your final day with a hands-on cooking workshop led by a local chef in a restored stone courtyard. Knead dough for traditional tandır bread and learn the art of crafting wood-fired pide topped with regional cheeses and spices. Savor the fruits of your labor alongside a robust cup of Turkish coffee.

Explore the city’s bustling bazaar to sample local specialties like honeycomb, grape molasses, and mountain teas. Visit a family-run dairy to taste kashar cheese and yogurt pressed in wooden churns deepening the flavor. Gather souvenirs of hand-embroidered textiles and clay pottery to bring home.

Join your hosts for a festive farewell dinner at a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the city lights. Indulge in a multi-course feast featuring lamb shank, manti dumplings, and a decadent walnut baklava finale. Raise a final toast with a glass of crisp raki as the trip’s memories settle warmly in your heart.