Eskisehir

Eskisehir, perched along the meandering Porsuk River in western Anatolia, charms with a blend of youthful energy and Ottoman nostalgia. University students glide past riverside cafés in colorful gondolas imported from Venice, beneath stone bridges festooned with hanging plants. The UNESCO-listed Odunpazari district preserves pastel-colored timber houses with overhanging upper floors, now hosting boutique hotels, craft shops and galleries showcasing contemporary Turkish art. Steam hisses from the Seyitgazi hot baths, a centuries-old hammam complex where mineral-rich waters once attracted Ottoman dignitaries seeking wellness. Culinary delights include çibörek—a deep-fried turnover of seasoned meat and onions—and kesmek, a hearty noodle soup simmered with local legumes. In the autumn, the Sakarya Opera Festival transforms avenues and historic mansions into open-air stages for classical performances under starry skies. For a taste of industrial heritage, the Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park features a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark and interactive exhibits. Eskisehir’s youthful pulse, historic architecture and inventive cultural spaces create a dynamic destination that defies traditional expectations of a university town.

Top attractions & things to do in Eskisehir

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Eskisehir, this guide brings together the top attractions and must-see places to visit in Eskisehir. The top picks below highlight the most visited sights for first-time visitors, plus a few local favorites worth adding.

Eskisehir Meerschaum Museum

The Eskisehir Meerschaum Museum celebrates the city's centuries-old tradition of sepiolite carving, a mineral found only in this region. Housed in a restored 19th-century workshop, the museum displays rare Ottoman-era pipes crafted for sultans and European nobility. Interactive exhibits demonstrate the mining process of this unique "white gold" from local deposits. Visitors can watch master craftsmen create intricate contemporary designs using traditional tools. The collection includes a legendary pipe gifted to Winston Churchill in 1943. Scientific displays explain meerschaum's exceptional heat-resistant properties and filtering capabilities. Temporary exhibitions showcase modern artistic interpretations of this ancient craft. The museum's workshop offers hands-on carving experiences using authentic techniques passed down through generations.

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Kursunlu Complex

The Kursunlu Complex, built in 1525 by renowned architect Acem Ali, represents a masterpiece of classical Ottoman architecture. This former theological school features a stunning lead-domed mosque (giving the complex its name) and an elegant medrese courtyard. The site's restoration revealed original 16th-century student cells with carved stone niches for oil lamps. The mosque's acoustic design creates perfect sound distribution without modern amplification. The complex now houses the Yunus Emre Museum, dedicated to the famous Sufi poet who taught here. Rare artifacts include handwritten manuscripts of Emre's works and a celestial globe used for astronomy lessons. The tranquil garden contains centuries-old plane trees planted by students during the Ottoman era. Archaeologists recently discovered a hidden chamber beneath the mosque containing 500-year-old construction blueprints scratched onto leather scrolls. The complex's west wall preserves a unique "whispering arch" where words spoken at one end can be clearly heard 30 meters away—a deliberate design for secret student communications during political unrest.

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Odunpazari Historical Houses

The Odunpazari Historical Houses showcase exquisite examples of Ottoman civil architecture dating back to the 17th century. These beautifully preserved wooden structures feature distinctive projecting upper floors and intricate wooden latticework characteristic of traditional Turkish houses. The neighborhood's name, meaning "Wood Market," reflects its history as a center for timber trade. Many houses display unique interior frescoes depicting floral motifs and landscapes. Recent restorations uncovered hidden storage compartments used to safeguard valuables during turbulent periods. The area now houses artisanal workshops where visitors can observe traditional crafts like meerschaum carving, a local specialty. The winding cobblestone streets and authentic atmosphere make this one of Turkey's best-preserved historical urban landscapes. Conservation efforts have carefully maintained original features while adapting buildings for modern use as museums, cafes, and cultural centers.

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Porsuk River Promenade

The Porsuk River Promenade transforms Eskisehir's waterway into a vibrant urban showcase. Venetian-style gondolas glide past beautifully illuminated Art Nouveau bridges designed by French engineers in 1910. The banks feature interactive fountains synchronized to music and light shows. Recent excavations uncovered Roman-era quays beneath modern walkways, now displayed through glass panels. The promenade's floating restaurants serve local specialties like "met halva." Environmental projects have restored the river's ecosystem, attracting migratory birds to newly created habitats. The area comes alive with street performers and open-air concerts during summer festivals. At night, laser projections on historic buildings tell the city's 4,000-year history through multimedia displays. Beneath the main square lies a preserved section of the ancient "King's Road" where archaeologists found wagon wheel ruts from Phrygian-era trade caravans.The river's water level is artificially regulated using a 1920s-era lock system based on designs by Leonardo da Vinci, still functioning perfectly today.

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Sazova Park Science Center

Sazova Park Science Center is a sprawling educational complex blending science, art, and entertainment. Its centerpiece is a full-scale pirate ship replica housing interactive exhibits about naval history. The park features Turkey's first open-air science museum with hands-on physics demonstrations. A striking fairy tale castle contains workshops on robotics and space exploration. The complex includes an artificial lake with water science exhibits and solar-powered boats. Designed by renowned architect Alper Derinbogaz, the center's buildings showcase innovative eco-friendly design principles. Special exhibits explore Eskisehir's industrial heritage, particularly its railway history and locomotive production. The park's botanical garden cultivates over 300 plant species used in traditional Anatolian medicine.

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