Winter getaways are becoming a favourite among today’s travellers. According to Tripadvisor’s Winter Travel Index, travellers are hitting the road this season, with 60% planning winter trips and bookings rising 45% year-over-year as global visitors seek both vibrant urban cultural experiences and warm tropical escapes. Türkiye, which offers exceptional travel experiences year-round, stands out as one of the most compelling destinations for winter getaways and urban cultural experiences. In particular, the country’s Eastern Anatolia Region invites visitors on a transformative journey across vast landscapes, where deep-rooted history and distinctive culinary traditions come to life. Here, travellers can connect with the spirit of a land shaped by millennia, savour unforgettable flavours, take in breathtaking vistas, and meet warm, welcoming locals who embody the region’s rich cultural heritage.
A Journey to Medieval Times in Kars
You can begin your journey in Kars, Türkiye’s undiscovered winter gem. Set along the famed Touristic Eastern Express route, the city enchants visitors with its unique architecture, rich cultural heritage, and striking landscapes—from Lake Çıldır to Sarıkamış, renowned for its crystal snow. The UNESCO World Heritage Ani Archaeological Site is undoubtedly one of the city’s most extraordinary stops. To the south of Çıldır Lake, Ani, the largest archaeological site in Eastern Anatolia, rises as a true example of medieval urbanism. Once known as the “city of a thousand and one churches,” Ani served as a cultural, political, and commercial centre on the Silk Road. Today, its remaining reddish ruins welcome visitors in nature, silently showcasing the legacy of the Christian and Muslim dynasties that once flourished here.
Don’t miss it: Kars stands out as one of Türkiye’s leading cheese capitals. You can taste Kars kaşarı and Gruyere cheese and visit the Kars Cheese Museum here. And for dinner, try traditional goose dishes and hingel (a type of mantı that promises unforgettable flavours.
Feeling the Ottoman Grandeur in Ağrı
Ağrı can be your next stop with its striking architectural and natural wonders. Start with the magnificent İshak Pasha Palace in the Doğubayazıt district. The Ottoman-era palace was modelled on Topkapı Palace in İstanbul. The characteristic of the palace lies in its blend of Ottoman, Persian, and Seljuk architectural styles. The building functions as a complete complex, with sections including a mosque, madrasa, bathhouse, kitchen, and even dungeons. One of the palace’s most remarkable features is the presence of the central-heating systems: hot water heated in furnaces once flowed through pipes, warming the structure against the region’s harsh winters.
Don’t miss it: The palace stands at the foothills of Mount Ağrı (Mount Ararat), where Noah’s Ark is believed to have landed. You can take a short trip to the mountain, which is seen from any part of the city.
Exploring Seljuk Tombstones in Cittaslow Town of Ahlat
Bitlis is another hidden gem that will captivate you with its historical and natural beauty. In Tatvan, a beautiful district set along the shores of Lake Van, you can start your day with a hearty breakfast featuring Bitlis honey and local cheeses. Without losing time, you can head to Cittaslow town of Ahlat, home to the Ahlat Tombstones listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Although the history of Ahlat goes back to the Urartian period, the impressive tombstones are from the Seljuk period. They are among the most outstanding tombstones of the early Turkish period in Anatolia and provide insight into the decoration and masonry of their period.
Don’t miss it: Make sure you also visit the breathtaking natural wonders, including the Nemrut Crater Lake, and Mount Süphan.
Akdamar Island and Akdamar Church: Unique Jewels of Lake Van
For a memorable finale, we suggest heading to Van. Set along the shores of Lake Van, the largest lake in Türkiye, the city once served as the capital of the Urartians and later hosted many civilisations, from the Persians to the Ottomans. After enjoying a traditional Van breakfast, famous for its many varieties, including otlu peynir (herb-infused cheese) and murtuğa (a type of halva), set sail on Lake Van toward Akdamar Island. Akdamar is the second-largest of the four islands in Lake Van and is home to a remarkable church. Perched on rugged cliffs, the Akdamar Church is a medieval Apostolic cathedral built as a palatine church for the rulers of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan. Today, the monument captivates visitors with its intricate stone reliefs and frescoes, many of which reflect influences from Central Asian Turkic art.
Don’t miss it: You can also visit the Van Cat House to see the city’s beautiful felines, known for their pure white fur and one blue and one amber-coloured eye. ///nCa, 18 December 2025 (in cooperation with the Embassy of Türkiye to Turkmenistan)