Overview
Erzincan sits at 1185m in a well-watered valley of Eastern Anatolia, making it a practical stop on overland routes between Turkey's Black Sea coast and eastern borders. The city was entirely rebuilt after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1939 destroyed the old settlement, giving it a rare modern grid layout without medieval chaos.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Nature
Before you go
Culture
Erzincan is a conservative Anatolian city. Dress modestly when visiting mosques. Many hotels require marriage certificates for unmarried couples sharing rooms.
Money
Turkish Lira (TL) is the currency. ATMs widely available. Prices quoted in article are in TL.
Safety
General urban safety applies. Earthquake awareness—city was entirely rebuilt after 1939 disaster.
Transport
Erzincan is a major transit hub with airport, railway, and bus connections. The Doğu Ekspresi (Eastern Express) train runs between Ankara and Erzurum via Sivas and Erzincan.
Weather
Continental climate at 1185m altitude: hot summers with thunderstorms, cold snowy winters. Mountain roads may close December-March.