The Ultimate Eskisehir Travel Guide: Exploring the Venice of Turkey
This Eskisehir travel guide comes from somewhere personal. I already knew and loved this city long before anyone outside Turkey had heard of it. I lived in Turkey for a year and kept coming back here. Then Race Across the World sent contestants through the exact same streets. I realized it was time to finally write everything down.
That show gave Eskisehir a global spotlight it never had before. Most English travel sites still barely mention the city, let alone explain it properly. This guide fixes that gap with everything I learned from actually living here.
Quick Info
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | History lovers, budget travelers, university town energy |
| Known for | Venice of Turkey, Race Across the World checkpoint |
| Getting there | High-speed train from Istanbul, around 2.5-3 hours |
| Train tickets | Compare and book train routes here |
| Rental car | Book a rental car here Only needed if your route extends beyond the city |
| Where to stay | Where to Stay in Eskisehir |
Is Eskisehir Worth Visiting? The Hidden Gem from BBC’s Race Across the World
Is Eskisehir worth visiting if you only have a few days in Turkey? I would say yes, without hesitation. This city surprised me even after months of living in the country.
Eskisehir is a full university town. Anadolu University brings in tens of thousands of students every year. The streets feel young. The cafes stay busy late, and the energy sits higher than most Turkish cities its size. I expected something quieter and got something far more alive.
This same youthful crowd carries an unexpected detail. Eskisehir is also an Erasmus city, pulling in exchange students from across Europe. I learned that the hard way. I walked into a Gratis store, mumbling to myself in English about a product. The cashier answered me back in fluent English. I was genuinely surprised, and a little embarrassed.
Most museums here, including Sazova Park’s Fairy Tale Castle and the Eti Archaeology Museum, offer almost no English signage. Staff still try their best with the English they have. That effort matters more than perfect translation ever could.
Race Across the World season 6 sent contestants Katie and Harrison through Eskisehir on their route. They were heading from Istanbul toward Cappadocia. The choice made sense once I thought about it. The city sits perfectly between the two, connected by fast, reliable trains.
Best Things to Do in Eskisehir: Gondolas, Mansions, and Budget Magic
Eskisehir packs serious variety into a small footprint. Riverside gondolas, Ottoman architecture, and genuinely affordable everything make it an easy place to fall for.
Cruising the Porsuk River: Following Katie and Harrison’s Gondola Ride
The gondola ride along the Porsuk River earned Eskisehir its Venice of Turkey nickname. Rides run 15 to 20 minutes for the short loop. Longer routes take a full hour. You pay directly at the ticket office, and lines build fast on weekend afternoons.
This is the exact stretch of water Race Across the World featured. Seeing it in person after watching it on screen felt strangely familiar. The canals wind past cafes and restaurants on both banks, perfect for a slow afternoon.
Go early on weekday mornings if you want the canal mostly to yourself. By midday, families and student groups fill the banks, and the wait for a gondola can stretch past 30 minutes.
Wandering Through Odunpazari: Colorful Ottoman Stone Houses and Cobblestones
Odunpazari is where Eskisehir’s history actually lives. Restored Ottoman mansions in deep reds, blues, and yellows line narrow cobblestone streets. The Odunpazari Modern Museum sits right in the middle, designed by Kengo Kuma’s team.
Give yourself at least two hours here. Wander without a fixed plan. Let the colors guide you instead of a map. Local artisans still work meerschaum stone in small shops nearby, a craft tied closely to this region for generations.
The mansions here are not just for photos. Several now operate as boutique hotels, restaurants, or small museums you can actually walk through.
For where to base yourself near these sights, our Where to Stay in Eskisehir guide breaks down both districts in detail.
Where to Eat in Eskisehir: Tatar Pastries and City Classics
Eskisehir’s food scene runs deeper than most visitors expect. Crimean Tatar immigrants brought a rich pastry tradition here generations ago, and it still shapes the local menu today.
Tatar and Crimean Specialties Worth Seeking Out
Gobete, a crisp Tatar pastry filled with onion and minced meat, shows up at restaurants like Ayten Usta. Kirim Tatar Kultur Cigborek Evi in Odunpazari makes some of the best in the city. Papagan Cigborek used to hold that title locally, but a Turkish friend told me that reputation faded years ago. Locals now head straight for Kirim Tatar instead.
Kuzu sorpa, a lamb and yogurt soup with mint, makes a hearty starter on colder days. Yufkali buryan, slow-cooked lamb layered between sheets of yufka, takes hours to prepare and rewards the wait.
City Classics and Where Locals Actually Eat
Balaban kofte, the city’s signature dish, deserves its own visit. Abdusselam Balaban and Tatli Dil Koftecisi both serve it on pide soaked in bone broth, finished with hot melted butter poured tableside. Watch for that final pour. It is part of the ritual locals expect with every order. Expect a wait in the evenings, since seats go fast at both spots.
Doyuran Kahvalti Salonu draws long weekend queues for its spread breakfast and menemen. Tables turn over quickly despite the line, and the kitchen only accepts cash, so come prepared.
Karakedi Bozacisi, on Koprubasi Street, has poured traditional boza since before most of the city’s other businesses existed. In summer, they add homemade lemonade and ice cream to the menu.
Met helvasi, a vanilla or cocoa halva specialty, makes the perfect souvenir to bring home. Buy it early in the day, since the most famous shops close by 5pm on weekdays and stay shut entirely on Sundays.
Cafe Culture Along the Porsuk
Being a university city changes the cafe scene completely. Sweet cafes cluster everywhere, each one quieter and cozier than the last. For someone who works remotely, like me, Eskisehir feels like a small slice of heaven.
My favorite find sits at the far end of Adalar, a tiny spot called Titanik 4. I worked there for hours with my headphones in, barely noticing the street noise outside. Cemil, who runs the place, was impossibly sweet. He seemed like he would silence the birds outside if he could, just so I could focus. Working along the Porsuk like that turned into one of my favorite memories from the whole trip.
Exploring Eskisehir on a Race Across the World Budget (Contestant Route)
Race Across the World forces contestants to travel without flights or personal phones. They work with a strict daily budget throughout. That constraint actually maps well onto a realistic backpacker trip here.
Eskisehir rewards budget travel naturally. Street food costs little. The city is fully walkable, and public transport runs cheap and frequent. If you are skipping Cappadocia, you genuinely do not need a car. Walk from the Ankara entrance to the Bursa entrance with headphones in. You will cross the whole city in about an hour.
A daily budget similar to what contestants worked with covers more here than it would in Istanbul. Hostel beds, street food, and museum entries all stay well under what you would pay in larger cities.
For travelers extending toward Cappadocia or elsewhere, a rental car opens up more flexibility. Book your rental car here if your route includes stops beyond the train line.
Our full breakdown of the train journey, including booking pitfalls to avoid, lives in our How to Get to Eskisehir guide.
Practical Tips
Book your train tickets early. Seats fill fast around weekends and holidays. Compare routes and book here once your dates are confirmed.
Get an eSIM before you arrive. Signal stays solid in the city. Having data ready from the airport or train station saves real hassle. Set up your Turkey eSIM here before you land.
Carry small bills for the gondola. The ticket office at peak times moves faster with exact change ready.
Bring cash for smaller museums and shops. Several attractions, including parts of Sazova Park, do not accept cards reliably.
FAQ
Is Eskisehir worth visiting on a Turkey itinerary? Yes, especially if you want a less touristy stop between Istanbul and Cappadocia. The Venice of Turkey nickname undersells how much history sits here too.
Why is Eskisehir called the Venice of Turkey? The nickname comes from the Porsuk River and its gondola rides. The canals were restored specifically to recall Venice’s own waterways.
How is Eskisehir connected to Race Across the World? Season 6 contestants Katie and Harrison passed through Eskisehir using the high-speed train. They chose it as an efficient route from Istanbul toward Cappadocia.
How many days do you need in Eskisehir? Two full days covers Odunpazari, the gondola ride, and the main museums without rushing. Add a day if you plan to explore Sazova Park thoroughly.
Is Eskisehir an expensive city to visit? No. Eskisehir stays noticeably cheaper than Istanbul, with affordable food, transport, and accommodation across every budget level.
Do people speak English in Eskisehir? More than expected, thanks to the large Erasmus student population. Museum signage in English remains limited, though staff usually try to help regardless.
Can you visit Eskisehir as a day trip from Istanbul? Yes, technically, but it would feel rushed. The train alone takes two and a half to three hours each way, so an overnight stay lets you actually enjoy the city.
