- Eskişehir is home to one of the largest student populations in Turkey due to the high density of universities, creating a unique demographic profile compared to other Anatolian cities.
- The city's name literally translates to 'Old City' in Turkish, reflecting its deep roots that trace back to the ancient Phrygian settlement of Dorylaeum.
- The Porsuk River, which flows through the city center, has been engineered with a canal system that allows for gondola and boat transport reminiscent of European canal cities.
- Eskişehir is one of the few places in the world where sepiolite, commonly known as meerschaum, is mined and carved into intricate pipes and jewelry.
- The city is a major junction point for the Turkish High-Speed Train network, connecting Istanbul and Ankara with a modernized transit hub.
About Eskişehir
Eskişehir is a dynamic university hub located in northwestern Turkey, celebrated for its youthful energy and the revitalization of the Porsuk River canal system. Visitors can wander through the preserved Historical Odunpazarı Mansions, which feature traditional Ottoman architecture, or explore contemporary art at the Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM). The city offers diverse recreational spaces, ranging from the expansive Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park to the leisure-focused Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Kentpark. By blending historic Ottoman districts with modern urban planning, Eskişehir has emerged as a center for science, culture, and social activity.
Highlights of Eskişehir
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Admire the well-preserved examples of Ottoman residential architecture lining the winding streets of this historic district.
Museums
Explore a world-class collection of contemporary art housed within a striking, award-winning wooden timber structure.
Parks
Visit the iconic fairytale castle and aquarium located within this massive recreational complex.
Places of interest
Take a gondola ride along the Porsuk River to experience the city's unique urban canal landscape.
Museums
View the Devrim, Turkey's first domestically produced automobile, at this industrial history site.
Museums
See hyper-realistic wax figures of local and international historical figures created by the city's former mayor.
Parks
Relax at the city's large artificial beach and outdoor swimming facility located within a landscaped park.
Zoos
Walk through this extensive zoo facility that features diverse animal habitats and a dedicated aquarium section.
Top things to do in Eskişehir
The 637 highest-rated places in Eskişehir, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park is a 400,000-square-meter complex in Eskişehir designed as a sprawling fantasy-them...
2
Museums
The Yılmaz Büyükerşen Wax Sculpture Museum features over 200 wax figures crafted by the city's former mayor, Yılmaz Büyü...
3
Parks
Kentpark is a 300,000-square-meter urban park in Eskişehir that features an artificial beach with sea sand, making it a...
4
Parks
Kanlıkavak Parkı is a prominent riverside urban park situated along the Porsuk River in the Odunpazarı district of Eskiş...
5
Zoos
The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Zoo is located within the expansive Sazova Science, Culture, and Art Park. It ho...
6
Historical places
The Historical Odunpazarı Mansions represent a well-preserved district of Ottoman-era timber-framed houses situated on t...
7
Museums
The TÜRASAŞ Revolution Cars Museum houses the Devrim, Turkey's first domestically produced automobile. The facility is l...
8
Parks
Dede Korkut Park is an extensive urban green space located in the Odunpazarı district of Eskişehir, spanning approximate...
9
Venues
Eskişehirspor Yeni Atatürk Stadyumu is a modern, UEFA-standard football venue with a capacity of approximately 32,500 sp...
10
Places of interest
The Gondola Point of Embarkation serves as the primary terminal for Venetian-style gondola tours along the Porsuk River...
11
Temples
Reşadiye Mosque is a central religious landmark located in the Odunpazarı district of Eskişehir, Türkiye. Commissioned b...
12
Places of interest
The Ertuğrul Gazi Tomb is the final resting place of the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Located i...
13
Museums
Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) is a contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architecture firm Kengo Kuma & Asso...
14
Museums
Odunpazarı Evleri is a historic district in Eskişehir featuring a dense collection of traditional Ottoman-era residentia...
15
Parks
Vecihi Hürkuş Havacılık Parkı is an open-air aviation museum in Eskişehir dedicated to the legacy of Turkish aviation pi...
16
Parks
Yediler Parkı is a prominent urban green space situated along the historic Hamam Yolu street in the Odunpazarı district...
17
Zoos
Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality ETI Underwater World is a specialized aquarium complex located within the expansive...
18
Museums
The Eskişehir ETİ Archaeological Museum is a modern, chronologically organized institution housing thousands of artifact...
19
Museums
The Söğüt Ertuğrul Gazi Museum is situated in the town where the Ottoman Empire was founded in the late 13th century. Or...
20
Parks
Eskişehir Şehir-i Aşk Adası, or Love Island, is a landscaped recreational area situated on a small landmass within the P...
21
Temples
Kurşunlu Cami ve Külliyesi is a 16th-century Ottoman complex built by Çoban Mustafa Pasha, a vizier to Sultan Suleiman t...
22
Parks
Eskişehir Urban Forest is a sprawling, high-altitude green space located in the Odunpazarı district. It features a dense...
23
Museums
The Dursun Fakih Tomb serves as the final resting place of Sheikh Dursun Fakih, a prominent 13th-century scholar and the...
24
Venues
The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Art and Culture Palace serves as the city's premier venue for high-level artisti...
25
Parks
Odunpazarı Botanik Park is a specialized botanical garden located along the Porsuk River in the Eskişehir province of Tu...
26
Parks
Musaözü Nature Park is a protected woodland area located 25 kilometers west of Eskişehir city center. The park is center...
27
Historical places
Odunpazarı is a historic district in Eskişehir, Türkiye, characterized by its well-preserved Ottoman-era timber-framed h...
28
Parks
Sümer Park is a sprawling urban green space in the Odunpazarı district of Eskişehir, occupying a site formerly associate...
29
Temples
The Alaeddin Mosque in Eskişehir is a historic Seljuk-era structure located in the Odunpazarı district. Constructed in 1...
30
Temples
Çarşı Camii is a central religious site situated in the heart of Eskişehir's commercial district. Its architecture refle...
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Eskişehir on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Eskişehir
May to June or September to October, when the climate is mild and comfortable for outdoor exploration of the city’s many parks.
2-3 days to explore the museum district, the Porsuk canal area, and the city's extensive public parks.
The city features a comprehensive tram network (ESTRAM) supplemented by buses, while the central historical zones are best explored on foot.
Stay in the Odunpazarı district for proximity to historic architecture and museums, or near the Porsuk River for nightlife and central cafes.
Mid-range; the city is generally more affordable than major hubs like Istanbul while offering high-quality dining and cultural amenities.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 637 curated attractions in and around Eskişehir, ranked by traveller ratings.
Sazova Science, Art and Culture Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Eskişehir right now.
The largest category is temples, with 260 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Istanbul, Ankara, Beykoz.
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