Eskişehir
Eskişehir is a university city in central Türkiye, known for the timber Ottoman houses of Odunpazarı, a Porsuk River walk and meerschaum workshops. It works well for one or two nights between Istanbul and Ankara.
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Eskişehir is a university city in north-central Türkiye, on the Porsuk River in the Central Anatolia region. Its old quarter, Odunpazarı, has timber houses from the Ottoman era with overhanging upper floors, and a short walk leads from there to the river. Eskişehir is also known for meerschaum, a soft white stone that workshops carve into pipes and small objects.
One or two nights is enough to walk the old quarter, the riverside promenade and a few museums at an unhurried pace. The universities give the city a young population, and the cafés near campus stay busy during the school year. Trains connect Eskişehir to Istanbul and Ankara, so you can plan the stop around a fixed departure. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking outdoors, since summers are hot and winters are cold.
Eskişehir in five
- Walk Odunpazarı in the morningThe old quarter has restored timber houses, small museums and craft shops on lanes that are quiet before midday. Allow two to three hours, and wear shoes for cobbles.
- Spend the evening along the PorsukThe river promenade is the center of town life, with cafes, boats and a student crowd. It is livelier on weekends and in term time than in July and August.
- Ask what a meerschaum souvenir is made ofEskişehir is known for carved meerschaum pipes and jewelry, and cheaper imitations exist. Buy from a workshop that says what the material is and can show how it is carved.
- Use it as a stop between Istanbul and AnkaraThe city sits on the main rail corridor between the two. Check TCDD Taşımacılık for current high-speed and regional services, and break the trip for a night rather than a quick transfer.Ankara
Things to do in Eskişehir
See all attractions in Eskişehir
Need to know
- Airport
- Istanbul and Ankara airports are the practical gateways
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Ankara, Istanbul and Bursa
- Getting around
- Walking, trams and taxis in the center
- Best base
- Near the Porsuk or Odunpazarı
- Time needed
- 1 day; 1 night is relaxed
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold
- MarchCool
- AprilMild
- MayWarm, green
- JuneWarm
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberMild
- OctoberMild
- NovemberCool
- DecemberCold
Right now in Eskişehir
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 95%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
Eskişehir
02:16 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today18°8°95%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Wed16°8°70%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Thu11°5°20%Thursday: Rain. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri8°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat8°0°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun9°-1°3%Sunday: Fog. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Mon11°-1°4%Monday: Clear. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 09:52 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.99 TRY
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Before you go to Eskişehir
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Rules for Eskişehir, checked
- Entry depends on your passport. Check whether you need an e-visa or can enter visa-free on the official site, evisa.gov.tr.
- Mosques: remove your shoes at the entrance and dress modestly. Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair when visiting.
- Money: the currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Cards are accepted in most hotels and shops, but carry some cash for small cafés and tea houses.
- Photography: do not photograph military sites, police or airports.
- Emergencies: dial 112 for ambulance, police or fire.
Plan around Eskişehir
The capital, an easy rail leg to the east
Read the guideBursa travel guideThe first Ottoman capital to the northwest
Read the guideIstanbul travel guideMosques, bazaars and the Bosphorus
Read the guideGetting around TürkiyeFlights, buses and rail between regions
Read the guideTürkiye e-VisaCheck whether your passport needs one
Read the guideAll of TürkiyeCities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip
Read the guideEskişehir FAQ
Is Eskişehir worth visiting?
Yes for a relaxed stop with a river promenade, timber houses and a young crowd. It is not a major sightseeing city, so treat it as a night between Istanbul and Ankara.
How many days do you need in Eskişehir?
One day covers Odunpazarı and the Porsuk. Stay a night if you want the evening promenade and a slower morning.
How do you get from Istanbul to Eskişehir?
By train or bus; check TCDD Taşımacılık for current rail services and compare with buses for your dates. The journey is a few hours, so plan the day around it.
What is Eskişehir known for?
Odunpazarı's timber houses, the Porsuk River promenade, a large student population and carved meerschaum, a soft white mineral used for pipes and crafts.
When is the best time to visit Eskişehir?
April, May, September and October for mild weather and an active riverfront. Winters are cold, and July and August are hot and quieter when students leave.