Where to Visit Bayburt
Ancient Cities
Aydıntepe Underground City This ancient city is located in the Aydıntepe district of Bayburt. The city is composed of galleries carved in the rocks, chambers with pillars and more extensive areas, which are connected to these chambers. Only a small section of this underground city is open for visit. The discovered findings are exhibited at the Erzurum Archeological Museum.
Çiftetaş - II Hill This hill located at the Çiftetaş Village was assumed to be a natural formation but after the excavations executed in between 1993 - 1995 some ancient remains were found. These findings are exhibited at the Bayburt section of the Erzurum Archeological Museum.
Castles
Bayburt Castle The castle was constructed on the steep rocks located at the Northern part of the city. The constructors of the castle are not certain. Before it was conquered by the Turkish forces, it had been under the dominance of Roman, Byzantine, Arabic and Kommenos civilizations.
Saruhan Castle The castle is located at the Saruhan village located at 35 km. distance from the city center.
Mausoleums The most important mausoleums of the city are Pulur (Gökçedere) Ferhat Bey Mosque, Sünür (Çayıryolu) Kutlu Bey Mosque, Dede Korkut Mausoleum.
Bayburt Highlands
Kop Dağı Tourist Center- Kop Dağı Highland
Transportation: This mountain village is 40 km out on the Bayburt - Aşkale road and can be reached by inter-city buses. It is 84 km from the Erzurum airport.
Description: The 2918 m. Mt. Kop is used by winter sport enthusiasts. Because it serves as a ski center, it has excellent infrastructure. There is a 112-bed guest house which belongs to the Provincial Government. The Kop Martyr Memorial here commemorates the struggle of the local people against the Russians which lasted from March 2, 1916 to July 16, 1916.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: Because it is used as a ski center, it has excellent infrastructure with ample lodging and restaurants. You can also obtain basic supplies from the village of Kop 15 km from Mt. Kop.
Sultan Murat Highland
Transportation: Bayburt is 54 km northwest of Aydıntepe.
Description: Very popular with the local people, the Sultan Murat highland holds 3 festivals every year: the Sultan Murat Festival (June 23), the Martyrs Festival (August 20) and the Yayla Obası Festival (September 15). It has an excellent infrastructure and in the summer there is a restaurant, teahouse, small market, butcher and a bed and breakfast which serves visitors.
Accommodation - Food and Drink: You can stay in the bed and breakfast and all of your necessities can be obtained from the village.
Sports Activities
Hunting The hunting sport in the city has developed in time and there is a hunting and marksmanship club in the city. Winter season is the most appropriate season for terrestrial hunting. Çoruh River and its branches are suitable for sweet water fishing.
Trekking The Kemer, Soğanlı, Haldizen, Kırklar, Köse, Coşan, Kop, Otlukbeli, Divanyolu and Sarıçiçek mountains surrounding the city have an average altitude of 2000 - 3000 meters and these mountains are suitable for horse rides and trekking activities.
Rafting One of branches of Çoruh river, is springing from the Mescit mountains and other is springing from Otlukbeli mountains unite at the vicinity of the Dikmetaş village in the borders of the province. Çoruh river is one of the most important rivers of Turkey with its high flowing rate and therefore is very suitable for water sports like rafting. The course starts from the Dikmetaş village and ends at the Aslandede village, as Çoruh river leaves the borders of the province. This course is the most suitable course for rafting and canoeing.
Ski Center The Kop Mountain was declared as “Tourism Center” and therefore the planning of the construction of ” Kop Mountain Ski and Winter Sports Center” is executed and ended by Ministry of Tourism.
