Eskişehir Travel Guide 2025: What to See and Do in This Vibrant City
Eskişehir stands out as one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in Turkey's Central Anatolia Region. With its historical fabric and rich culture spanning from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, Eskişehir has become a favourite destination for both local and foreign tourists, blending modern innovations with traditional charm. As a university city, Eskişehir has a young and energetic population, offering visitors unforgettable experiences throughout the year with its historical sites, natural beauty, rich cuisine, and cultural events. If you are considering visiting Eskişehir, this comprehensive travel guide has been prepared to meet all your needs. So, what to do in Eskişehir? And what to eat in Eskişehir? Let's explore together!
Welcome to Eskişehir
Eskişehir is a modern university city located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, renowned for its historical and cultural riches. With its historic Odunpazarı Houses, lively Porsuk River, vibrant young population, and innovative art centres, Eskişehir offers a blend of traditional and contemporary lifestyles. Thanks to its high-speed train connections, the city is easily accessible and attracts many local and foreign tourists every year with its delicious cuisine, warm people and natural beauty. Eskişehir is a dynamic, welcoming and culturally rich destination for those who want to explore.
How to Get to Eskişehir?
Transportation to Eskişehir from Istanbul, Ankara and other major cities is quite easy and fast. As one of Turkey's major railway hubs, Eskişehir offers fast transportation from all corners of Turkey via high-speed train (YHT) lines. In particular, the journey from Istanbul to Eskişehir by YHT takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the journey from Ankara takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Travelling by YHT is comfortable, fast, and economical.
There are also plenty of options for those travelling by bus. Buses departing from major cities such as Istanbul or Ankara reach the Eskişehir bus terminal in an average of 5-6 hours. The bus terminal is located quite close to the city centre, and you can easily reach it by taxi or public transport.
If you wish to travel to Eskişehir by car, you can easily reach the city centre by road. The distance between Istanbul and Eskişehir is approximately 330 km, while the distance between Ankara and Eskişehir is approximately 230 km. Traffic in the city is generally heavy, but city transport runs smoothly, especially outside of peak hours on weekdays.
When to Visit Eskişehir?
Eskişehir is a city that can be visited in all four seasons, but the most ideal time for visitors is spring (April-May) and summer (June-August). During these months, temperatures range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, and the city's parks and outdoor activities are truly enjoyable. Spring is the perfect time for photography enthusiasts, as the gardens of the Odunpazarı houses are adorned with colourful flowers.
Although summer is generally hot, the cafes, walking paths and outdoor activities around the Porsuk River make it ideal for holidaymakers. The city is particularly lively at weekends, when it is filled with locals and tourists.
In winter, Eskişehir is covered in cold weather and snow. The snow-covered Odunpazarı houses and the winter scenery of Sazova Park offer a unique beauty. For those who want to enjoy the city in winter with a warm cup of tea, the winter months are also a good choice.
Where to Stay in Eskişehir?
Eskişehir offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Hotels and boutique accommodation in the city centre offer tourists both easy access and a comfortable experience. Some recommended hotels for those wishing to stay in Eskişehir are as follows:
The Merlot Hotel Eskişehir: Known for its modern design, spacious rooms, and proximity to the city centre, this hotel is a popular choice for both business and leisure travellers.
Anemon Grand Eskişehir Hotel: A favourite among those seeking luxury and comfort, Anemon Grand stands out with its spa, fitness centre and business centre services.
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Eskişehir: With its spacious rooms, high-standard services and spa-wellness facilities, it appeals to those who want to relax in the city.
Hotel Dedepark: With its location very close to the historic Odunpazarı district and its historic atmosphere, it is ideal for those who want to experience a boutique hotel.
In addition to these, there are also affordable boutique hotels, guesthouses and apartments in areas such as Odunpazarı and Tepebaşı. It is advisable to make accommodation reservations in advance, especially during the busy summer months.
Source: Merlot
Where to Eat in Eskişehir?
Eskişehir cuisine offers traditional Central Anatolian flavours as well as rich Turkish cuisine. The city's signature dish, çiğ börek, is a symbol of the city. The city's dining venues offer a diverse range of options, from traditional to modern, providing visitors with a wide selection to choose from.
Köfte's Balaban Kebap & Çiğ Börek: This is one of the famous places where you can try Eskişehir's famous çiğ börek and balaban kebab. It is ideal for a quick and delicious meal.
Ayten Usta Gurme: This restaurant, which offers the finest dishes of Turkish cuisine, stands out for its quality service.
Teho Restaurant: Recommended for special meals in Eskişehir with its elegant atmosphere and modern Turkish cuisine.
Hacı Seydioğlu Döner Restaurant: A favourite spot for döner lovers, it is considered a symbol of quality in the city.
Eskişehir's restaurants are generally clean, customer-focused, and reasonably priced. The city also offers a wide variety of street food and local flavours that can be enjoyed in cafes.
Source: Tripadvisor
Where to Have Breakfast in Eskişehir?
The breakfast culture in Eskişehir is very well developed, and there are many breakfast halls and cafés in the city. The Odunpazarı district is one of the most popular places for breakfast. Some of the places that stand out for their rich menus and friendly atmospheres are:
Saklı Bahçe Kırım Çibörek: With its nostalgic atmosphere, spacious garden and delicious raw pastries, it is a popular choice not only for breakfast but also for light meals.
Keyf Konağı: With its rich breakfast menu, natural products and comfortable atmosphere, it is a suitable place for families.
Doyuran Breakfast Hall: Known for its excellent value for money and wide variety of breakfast options, this is a popular spot in the city.
Ayten Usta Aynalı Coffee: This venue offers an ideal setting for both breakfast and coffee, making it one of the most popular spots in the city.
When having breakfast in Eskişehir, I recommend trying local cheeses, fresh bread, natural jams, and of course, raw börek.
Source: Keyf Konağı
Coffee Shops in Eskişehir
Coffee culture is quite vibrant in Eskişehir. There are many stylish cafés in the city where you can try both traditional Turkish coffee and coffee prepared using alternative brewing methods. Cafés are particularly popular in areas with a large young population.
Black Cat Coffee: With carefully selected coffee beans and expert baristas, this is a favourite spot for coffee lovers in Eskişehir.
Rumeli Çikolatacısı: A special place offering both a sweet and coffee experience for those who love the combination of coffee and chocolate.
Guernica Coffee Sümer: With its art-themed decor and high-quality coffee varieties, it provides a calm and pleasant environment.
Walker’s Coffee House: A café that stands out for its variety of coffees and presentation quality, where you can experience different brewing techniques.
These coffee shops are ideal places in Eskişehir not only for drinking coffee but also for socialising, working or relaxing.
Source: Tripadvisor
Places to See in Eskişehir
Eskişehir offers many places of interest for history and culture enthusiasts. The city's iconic landmarks, natural beauty spots and modern art venues are among the must-see attractions for tourists.
Odunpazarı Houses: This historic neighbourhood, which houses some of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List with its narrow streets, wooden houses and art galleries. As you walk around here, you will feel as if you have travelled back in time.
Porsuk Creek: You can take gondola tours along this creek that runs through the city centre and sit in cafes to enjoy the view. In the evenings, it takes on a romantic atmosphere with its lighting.
Sazova Science, Culture and Art Park: This huge park has a zoo, a fairy tale castle, a science centre, playgrounds and many other activities. It is ideal for families and children.
Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM): Turkey's first modern and contemporary art museum, OMM hosts works by both national and international artists.
Atlıhan Handicrafts Market: A nostalgic shopping area where you can find handmade jewellery, ceramics, glassware, and other souvenirs.
In addition to these places, Eskişehir also has the Independence Museum, the Contemporary Glass Art Museum, Kentpark, and large shopping centres that are worth visiting.
What to Buy in Eskişehir?
Eskişehir offers visitors a wide range of beautiful gift options. Among the most popular items to buy in the city are handmade glass objects, original ceramics, jewellery made from sepiolite stone, local delicacies and nostalgic products. Atlıhan Handicrafts Market is one of the richest spots for such souvenirs. You can also find unique and high-quality products in shops such as Damla Souvenirs. For sweets, you can have the city's famous raw borek packaged or give local delicacies such as tahini pide as gifts.
Source: Kültür Portalı
Bonus: Sazova Science, Culture and Art Park
Sazova Science, Culture and Art Park is one of the largest and most visited recreational areas in Eskişehir. Located approximately 6 kilometres from the city centre, this huge park is an ideal place for those who want to spend time surrounded by nature and experience entertainment and learning at the same time. With an area of over 400,000 square metres, it offers visitors extensive green spaces, walking trails and a variety of activities.
One of the park's most striking features is the fairy-tale castle designed for both children and adults. This castle brings children's imaginations to life while also providing interactive play areas for fun-filled experiences. The science centre is particularly interesting for students and enthusiasts, offering many experiments and exhibitions in the fields of physics, chemistry and technology.
Sazova Park also features a zoo, a miniature train, a giant aquarium, pirate ship-themed play areas and spacious picnic areas. This creates a comprehensive entertainment and relaxation environment for families, young people and children. It is particularly popular with locals and tourists on weekends and during holiday periods.
You can take a walk among the greenery, relax by the lake, or participate in cultural events. During your visit to Eskişehir, Sazova Science, Culture, and Art Park is a must-see destination for anyone seeking to connect with both nature and science.
Source: Türkiye Today
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