Bingol Travel Guide

Bingol has been an important site in the Eastern Anatolia region since old times. The region has been the cradle of migration routes and settlement points of various civilizations including Hittite, Urartu, Persia, Macedonia, Seleucid, Roman, Sassanid and Byzantine hegemony starting from 1,300 BC. After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071, Bingol entered under the Seljuk rule as the newest settlement in the province. It was later taken over by Artukogullari and Akkoyunlu rulers. In 1474, Uzun Hasan was defeated to Fatih Sultan Mehmet, during the Battle of Otlukbeli and the region came under Ottoman rule. Çapakçur was connected to Elazığ and the newly formed Muş province in 1919. The city center got named Bingol in 1936 after the proclamation of the Republic.

Bingol has seven districts and is adjacent to Diyarbakır in the south, Tunceli and Elazig in the west, Erzurum and Erzincan in the north and Muş in the east. There are various travel options to get to the neighboring areas for those who would like to travel the wider region.

Bingol finds its basic charm and richness in the beauty of its nature. You can go on hiking and enjoy the spectacular view from Mount Bingol at the sunset or take a road trip to discover the scenic beauty in the city’s vicinity. The famous Turkish writer and traveler Evliya Çelebi describes the natural beauty of Bingol in his popular travel book Seyahatname. He speaks of the endemic plant species in Bingol plateaus, the wide variety of flowers, the lakes and the fish species that live in these lakes. You can rejuvenate in its splendid nature and benefit from the healing thermal waters during your trip to Bingol.

General Information About Bingol

How to Get to Bingol?

There are direct flights from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Bingol offered by Pegasus Airlines, which provide flexible solutions to its passengers. Bingol is well connected through many linked flights from outside of Istanbul. You can book your Bingol flight ticket and schedule your trip to benefit from the best offers.

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Transportation from Bingol Airport to City Center

Bingol Airport is connected to the city center by different transportation options. There are shuttle services provided by the airline companies for transfers to the city. The site is available in Turkish. 

You can also take a taxi or rent a car at the airport. Pegasus Airlines’ car rental services are at the passengers’ disposal with a wide range of selections.  

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Public Transport in Bingol

City transportation is very limited in Bingol. There are scheduled buses providing service in the city. You can get the local city-pass Red Card to use for public transportation. However a taxi or a rental car would be more convenient options.

Best Time to Visit Bingol

The landscape of Bingol is very mountainous with the heights exceeding up to 250 thousand meters. Marked by the continental climate, regional temperatures vary during the summer and winter periods. While the high mountains provide for the perfect place to go for skiing in winter, you can benefit from the magical thermal springs of Bingol in almost every season. 

You can travel to Bingol any time of the year. But if you want to enjoy the nature and historical places in open air, it is recommended to go to Bingol in spring and summer months. You should spend 2-3 days in order to visit the entire city and discover all the hidden gems. 

Festivals in Bingol

There are numerous traditional festivals that might coincide with your trip to Bingol: 

• Yayladere Sülbüs Nature and Culture Festival (August)
• Karer Culture Festival (August)
• Adaklı Karababa Nature, Culture, Walnut and Honey Festival (August)
• Karlıova Sunrise Festival (August)
• Solhan Floating Island Nature Enthusiast Festival (June)
• Kigi Seyit Kasım Nature Culture and Honey Festival (August)

Places to Visit in Bingol

Located on a high plateau, Bingol promises its guests a remarkable journey with its natural beauties as well as its rich history. Here are some of the places to see in Bingol.

Floating Islands

Popularly called as the Floating Islands, this touristic destination is located on the crater lake of Turna. Three small islands that are swinging on the lake were formed by the separation of soil fragments and the ground. The islets move by pushing, but also can move with the effect of wind. Floating Islands are located in Hazarşah village of Solhan District. 

Cir Waterfall

Cir Waterfall is a wonderful natural beauty worth visiting. The movement of the water that looks almost like dancing as it pours is quite fascinating and many people visit this waterfall every year. The surrounding area is also covered with wonderful views. You can come here to have a picnic and cool off or go hiking. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos of the amazing landscape. 

King’s Castle

King’s Castle is located in Genc district of Bingol. It is one of the most beautiful districts of Bingol that lay on Murat Valley with its fascinating landscape. The exact date of construction of the Castle is unclear, although it is thought to have been built by the Persian King Dara for his beloved daughter. The original name of the castle is Darahini, which means Dara’s Fountain. 

Castle of Kigi

Located in the district of Kiğı whose history dates back to 3000 years ago, the Castle is a Byzantine structure. Hittites, Urartians and Persians respectively settled in the region until it came under the sovereignty of Macedonian, Roman, Sassanid and Byzantine rulers. It was controlled by the Seljuk Turks after 1971. The Castle’s position on the steep hills make it very difficult to climb up there. It is mostly in ruins today. 

Cave of Zag

The Cave of Zag is located on a steep cliff between Gökçeli and Yenidal villages, on the banks of Murat River. The side facing the Murat River is 200-300 meters above the ground and carved from the rocks. The cave consists of many rooms on three floors connected by the round chimneys between them. It was ruined throughout time, but there are still 17 rooms that preserved their structure today.  

Where to Stay in Bingol?

Bingol city center is filled with many accommodation options. Hotels in Bingol offer the visitors many comfortable selections with the most central locations. Büyük Bingol Hotel, Binkap Resort Hotel, Grand Berti Hotel are listed among the preferred places to stay in Bingol. You can benefit from the affordable prices with early booking options. 

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What to Eat in Bingol?

The unique traditional tastes of Bingol include tutmaç, keşkek,sorina pel, mastuva, keledoş and löl. Stuffed meatballs, burma kadayif, silki baklava and dolanger are some of the very tasty dishes you can eat in Bingol.

• Traditional Turkish Food: Berti Meat Restaurant, Saray Restaurant
• Bingol Local Foods (Gömme, Tutmaç, Keşkek etc.): Yado Cesmesi Et Restaurant, Hanedan Ocakbaşı
• Liver, Kebab: Cigerci Osman
• Pita, Meat dishes: Sogukcesme Kavurma

Shopping in Bingol: The Best Souvenirs to Buy

You shouldn’t leave Bingol without buying its special honey obtained from Bingol Mountains.  Handmade weaves, knitted fabrics, authentic carpets, wool socks and saddlebags are among the souvenirs to buy from the local shops of Bingol. 

Nightlife in Bingol

Nightlife is not very active in Bingol. Many places get closed at early times in the city with a few remaining spots to go at night.  Arzen Café Karaoke, Kadim Hookah Lounge, Mektup Türkü Evi are some of the entertainment places of the town. 

Things to Know Before Visiting Bingol

• Bingol will fascinate you with its plateaus. 
• Kos Thermal Springs on Karlıova highway is another important stopover of the region. The hot springs get many visitors throughout the year. The thermal water is known to be an important source of healing for stomach disorders, rheumatic and gynecological diseases.
• Watching the sunrise from the Castle Hill on Bingol Mountain is one of the activities that is popular among the visitors. 

Essential Numbers

Bingol City Code: 0426

Bingol Airport: 0426 215 00 67