What to see in Eskişehir: Odunpazarı, meerschaum, Porsuk and museums
Eskişehir in a day or two: Odunpazarı, meerschaum pipes, çibörek, Porsuk gondolas, museum hours, ESTRAM tram fares and weather by month.
Table of Contents
Explore Eskişehir on foot and by tram: an old quarter of colourful wooden houses, a river with gondolas right in the centre, large parks and museums. Meerschaum is mined here — a light white stone used to make pipes. Below, you’ll find a walk through Odunpazarı, how stone becomes a pipe, three local specialities from the TÜRKPATENT register, a tram fare calculator and the weather by month.
At a glance · checked 14 Oct 2026
Eskişehir is a destination for a day or two: the old quarter of Odunpazarı, meerschaum pipes, çibörek and a boat ride on the Porsuk.
- Odunpazarı: wooden houses with bay windows, the Kurşunlu complex and the Meerschaum Museum. Walking around is free.
- What to try: çibörek, met helvası and Eskişehir simit — all three are in the register of geographical indications.
- Getting around: ESTRAM trams. With an Eskart card, a ride costs 40 TL and a transfer within 60 minutes costs 2.50 TL.
- Monday: most museums are closed. The Archaeological Museum opens every day.
- Not a World Heritage Site: Odunpazarı has only been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 2012.
Odunpazarı: the wooden old town
Odunpazarı is Eskişehir’s old town, on a north-facing slope above the centre. Its name means “wood market”: firewood was once traded here. The timber-framed houses face inwards towards their courtyards, with projecting bay windows facing the street — called cumba in Turkish. The quarter is designated a protected urban site.
- Kurşunlu complex (Kurşunlu Külliyesi) — 1525, built for Çoban Mustafa Pasha, a vizier of Suleiman I. The architect was most likely Acem Ali. Today it houses the mosque, workshops, galleries and the Meerschaum Museum. Admission is free outside prayer times.
- Alaaddin Mosque (Alaaddin Camii) — 1271.
- Hacı Hasan Mosque (Hacı Hasan Camii) — 13th century.
- Atlıhan (Atlıhan El Sanatları Çarşısı) — a 19th-century inn, now a craft market. Meerschaum, glass, ceramics and jewellery craftspeople work here. Open daily, free admission.
- Odunpazarı Modern Müze (OMM) — at the lower end of the quarter. See the museum table below for opening hours and tickets.
UNESCO: what it actually means
Odunpazarı has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 13 April 2012 (number 5733). This is a list of candidates, not an inscription. The protected quarter covers 268,728 m², with a surrounding buffer zone of 226,845 m².
The quarter is open at all times and walking around is free. It has over 30 museums and galleries, and many workshops. Explore on foot: the streets are narrow and climb the slope.
Meerschaum: from stone to pipe
Meerschaum (the mineral sepiolite, called lületaşı in Turkish) is a light, porous stone, usually white and occasionally grey. In the TÜRKPATENT register, “Eskişehir Lüle Taşı” has been a designation of origin since 23 December 1999, registration number 26. The stone absorbs nicotine and water. It does not burn in a fire — only its colour changes. It softens in water, so craftspeople soak it before carving. Its hardness is only 2–2.5.
The register describes nine steps from raw stone to finished pipe. Go through them one by one:
TÜRKPATENT register · 9 steps
From stone to pipe
1Cleaning saykal
Soil and foreign material are removed from the raw block. Dry stone is first soaked in water to soften it.
2Rough shaping kabasının alınması
A knife removes the excess until the pipe’s shape emerges from the block.
3Fine carving perdah
Small knives smooth the surface and carve the details.
4Drying tandırlama
The pipes dry on shelves in a warm room. Drying them in the sun is called sergileme.
5Wet woollen cloth ıslak aba
The surface is rubbed with a wet woollen cloth.
6Rubbing ovma
A soft cloth makes the stone completely smooth.
7Beeswax yağlı aba
The pipe is coated with beeswax, giving the stone a warm tone.
8Polishing parlatma
Wool is used to polish the pipe to a shine.
9Sorting and boxing
Finished pipes are sorted by quality and placed in boxes.
Where to see it
The Meerschaum Museum (Lületaşı Müzesi) is in the Kurşunlu complex: pipes, jewellery and figurines. Closed on Mondays; other days 09:00–17:00, free admission. The museum says the stone has been known for about 5,000 years.
Craftspeople work in front of you at Atlıhan, a few minutes’ walk away.
What to try: three flavours from the register
The TÜRKPATENT register of geographical indications lists 15 products from Eskişehir province. You’ll find three of them in every quarter of the city. The register describes exactly how they are made.
Çibörek
A 50 g ball of dough is rolled into a circle about 20 cm across and 1 mm thick. The filling is 25 g of lean minced meat with boiled onion and black pepper. It is fried in sunflower oil at 160–170 °C for just 25–30 seconds.
Met helvası
Flour is roasted with fat for 4–4.5 hours at 75–85 °C. Sugar syrup cooked to 140 °C is worked on a hook until white, then 5–7 people stretch the halva over a tray. The strands, about 2 cm thick, are cut into 7.5 cm pieces — white or with cocoa.
Eskişehir simit Eskişehir simidi
The dough is dipped in hot, diluted fig pekmez, twisted and coated with 12–15 g of sesame seeds. It is baked in a stone oven fired with oak wood at 260–270 °C for 10–15 minutes.
Meerschaum is also in the same register, but as a designation of origin. The other entries mainly come from Sivrihisar district — for example, Sivrihisar Kilimi rugs and the dessert Sivrihisar Höşmerim Tatlısı.
The Porsuk River: gondola or Esbot
The Porsuk River runs through the centre, dividing it into two: the Tepebaşı side and the Odunpazarı side. Walkways, small bridges and cafés line its banks. Gondolas and small Esbot tourist boats carry passengers along the river.
Boats on the Porsuk
- Gondola: 1,000 TL for the whole boat, up to 4 people.
- Esbot: 165 TL per person.
- Route: between Köprübaşı and Adalar, daily 10:00–19:00.
- Payment: card only; cash is not accepted.
Even for four people, Esbot is cheaper: 4 × 165 = 660 TL. A gondola is for those who want a boat to themselves.
Sazova and Kentpark: parks for a whole day
Sazova Park (Sazova Bilim, Kültür ve Sanat Parkı) covers about 400,000 m². It has the Fairy Tale Castle, a zoo, an aquarium, a Japanese garden (since 2010) and a wooden museum ship. A miniature train circles the park in about 15 minutes — daily 11:00–18:00, 120 TL per person.
Fairy Tale Castle Masal Şatosu
26 towers modelled on towers and buildings in Turkey. Inside: Nasreddin Hodja, Keloğlan and Dede Korkut.
Zoo and aquarium
The zoo opened in 2017, covers about 58,000 m² and is a wildlife rescue centre. The Eti Sualtı Dünyası aquarium holds about one million litres.
Museum ship Kalyon
A chestnut-wood galleon, about 25 m long, opened in 2009.
City beach Kentpark
An artificial beach opened in 2009, about 320 m long, with a 50 m Olympic pool and a children’s pool.
Ticket prices for the Fairy Tale Castle are not published on the city’s tourism portal. Check them on site.
Museums: hours and tickets
Most museums in Eskişehir are closed on Mondays. The Eti Archaeological Museum is the exception — it opens every day.
| Museum | When | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Odunpazarı Modern Müze (OMM) | Mon closed; Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–16:00, Sun 11:00–18:00. Ticket office closes 30 minutes earlier. | 250 TL; reduced 180 TL (students over 12, teachers, 65+); up to age 12 free |
| Meerschaum Museum (Lületaşı Müzesi) | Mon closed; other days 09:00–17:00 | Free |
| Wax Museum (Yılmaz Büyükerşen Balmumu Heykeller Müzesi) | Mon closed; other days 10:00–17:00 | Online or at the Hamam Müzesi ticket office, card only |
| Glass Museum and City Memory Museum (Çağdaş Cam Sanatları Müzesi, Kent Belleği Müzesi) | Mon closed; other days 10:00–17:00 | One ticket for both museums |
| Eti Archaeological Museum (Eti Arkeoloji Müzesi) | Daily 08:00–17:00 | Ticket required; Müzekart accepted |
OMM opened on 7 September 2019 and has about 4,500 m² of floor space. People with disabilities and one companion enter free. The Wax Museum opened on 19 May 2013. The Archaeological Museum houses finds from Dorylaion, Pessinus, Yazılıkaya, Küllüoba and Demircihöyük.
Getting around: ESTRAM trams
ESTRAM trams began running on 24 December 2004. Today there are 9 lines, covering about 55 km. Pay with an Eskart card, a virtual Eskart in the Estram Mobil app, a contactless bank card or a QR ticket. Choose how many rides you’ll take today and how many of them are transfers:
ESTRAM · fares checked 14 Oct 2026
What you’ll pay for the day
- Eskart or virtual Eskart40 TL per ride, transfer within 60 minutes — 2.50 TL; the card itself is bought separately82.50 TL
- Multi-ride ticketfor 2–5 rides, each with one transfer: 120 / 180 / 224 / 280 TL120 TL
- Contactless bank card42 TL for every ride; transfers are charged again126 TL
- QR ticket56 TL for one ride, no transfer168 TL
Cheapest: Eskart or virtual Eskart — 82.50 TL.
- Transfer — within 60 minutes of boarding, and only onto a different line, not the same one.
- Eskart is sold at Metropolitan Municipality kiosks and dealers. You can top up by up to 450 TL at a time, and the card can hold up to 1,500 TL. It works only in Eskişehir.
- A QR ticket is valid for 24 hours from purchase, for one ride.
- Children under 6 travel without a ticket. A folded bicycle or scooter is allowed, as is luggage up to 25 kg if you carry it yourself.
You can reach Eskişehir by train on TCDD Taşımacılık YHT high-speed services from Ankara and Istanbul. We could not access the timetable and fares on 14 October 2026, so check them on the TCDD website before travelling.
When to go: weather by month
The climate is continental: hot, dry summers and cold winters. The data comes from the General Directorate of Meteorology (MGM) — averages for 1991–2025. Choose a month:
MGM · averages for 1991–2025
Eskişehir weather by month
daynightaverage temperature, °C
January
day4.4 °Cnight−3.7 °C
- 2.7 h of sun a day
- about 8 days with rain · 33.0 mm
Winter coat, hat and gloves: nights are below freezing. The deepest snow cover, 30 cm, was measured on 26 January 2006.
February
day7.2 °Cnight−3.4 °C
- 4.0 h of sun a day
- about 8 days with rain · 28.2 mm
It is still winter: warm clothes and shoes with a good grip. The record low of −28.6 °C was recorded in February.
March
day12.1 °Cnight−0.8 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- about 8 days with rain · 29.9 mm
Days are getting warmer, but nights are around freezing. Bring a jacket and a jumper.
April
day17.3 °Cnight3.2 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- about 7 days with rain · 44.1 mm
Spring, but also the month with the most rainfall in millimetres. Bring a jacket and an umbrella.
May
day22.3 °Cnight7.3 °C
- 8.0 h of sun a day
- about 6 days with rain · 42.3 mm
Pleasant for walking: around 22 °C by day. A light jacket for the evening.
June
day26.8 °Cnight11.3 °C
- 9.9 h of sun a day
- about 4 days with rain · 24.2 mm
Warm and sunny — time for the river and parks. Kentpark beach opens in June.
July
day30.0 °Cnight13.8 °C
- 11.4 h of sun a day
- about 2 days with rain · 15.0 mm
The sunniest month: over 11 hours of sun a day. Bring a hat, water and sunscreen.
August
day30.3 °Cnight13.8 °C
- 10.4 h of sun a day
- about 2 days with rain · 11.2 mm
The hottest days: an average of 30 °C, with a record of 41.6 °C. At night it drops to around 14 °C.
September
day26.1 °Cnight9.3 °C
- 8.7 h of sun a day
- about 3 days with rain · 17.2 mm
Still warm, with little rain. Good weather for Midas City and long walks.
October
day20.3 °Cnight5.0 °C
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- about 6 days with rain · 35.0 mm
Around 20 °C by day and 5 °C at night. Bring a jumper and a jacket for the evening.
November
day12.9 °Cnight0.3 °C
- 4.6 h of sun a day
- about 6 days with rain · 33.4 mm
Cool and more often cloudy. Bring a warm jacket: nights are close to freezing.
December
day6.6 °Cnight−1.6 °C
- 2.5 h of sun a day
- about 8 days with rain · 42.4 mm
The least sunshine and the most days with rain of the year. Bring warm clothes and an umbrella.
The city’s records: 41.6 °C in August and −28.6 °C in February. May to October is the most pleasant time for walks.
A day trip: Midas City
Midas City is in the Yazılıkaya neighbourhood of Han district, outside Eskişehir. It is a volcanic tuff plateau, about 650 × 320 m, rising 60–70 m. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, this was the main religious centre of the Phrygians, while Gordion was their political capital. The monuments date from the 8th–6th centuries BC. W. M. Leake brought the site to scholarly attention in 1800.
The Midas Monument
A rock façade about 17 m high, dedicated to the mother goddess Matar. The Phrygian inscription includes the name “Midai”. This is an open-air sanctuary, not a tomb.
The Unfinished Monument stands to its south-west. The first scientific excavations took place in 1936–1939. The site opens every day, with free admission.
Plan a full day and bring water: the plateau is exposed. Visiting hours beyond “every day” are not published.
Turkish words: for your day in Eskişehir
Eskart nereden alabilirim?
es-kart neh-reh-den ah-lah-bee-lee-rim
Where can I buy an Eskart?
Bu tramvay Odunpazarı’na gider mi?
boo trahm-vai oh-doon-pah-zah-ruh-nah gee-der mee
Does this tram go to Odunpazarı?
Nerede aktarma yapmalıyım?
neh-reh-deh ahk-tar-mah yahp-mah-luh-yum
Where should I transfer?
Kartıma 100 lira yükler misiniz?
kar-tuh-mah yewz lee-rah yewk-ler mee-see-niz
Could you top up my card with 100 lira?
Gondol nereden kalkıyor?
gon-dol neh-reh-den kahl-kuh-yor
Where does the gondola leave from?
Kartla ödeyebilir miyim?
kart-lah ur-deh-yeh-bee-leer mee-yim
Can I pay by card?
Müze bugün açık mı?
mew-zeh boo-gewn ah-chuk muh
Is the museum open today?
Lületaşı atölyesi nerede?
lew-leh-tah-shuh ah-turl-yeh-see neh-reh-deh
Where is the meerschaum workshop?
Bir porsiyon çibörek, lütfen.
beer por-see-yon chee-bur-ek, lewt-fen
One portion of çibörek, please.
Yanında ayran da alabilir miyim?
yah-nun-dah eye-rahn dah ah-lah-bee-leer mee-yim
Could I have ayran with it too?
Kakaolu met helvası var mı?
kah-kah-oh-loo met hel-vah-suh var muh
Do you have met helvası with cocoa?
Hesap, lütfen.
heh-sahp, lewt-fen
The bill, please.
Questions and answers
How many days should I spend in Eskişehir?
One full day is enough for Odunpazarı, the Meerschaum Museum, OMM and the river. With a second day, add Sazova Park or Midas City.
Is Odunpazarı free to visit?
Yes, the quarter is open at all times. The Meerschaum Museum and Atlıhan are also free. OMM requires a ticket: 250 TL, reduced 180 TL.
Can I pay for the tram with a bank card?
Yes, with a contactless card: 42 TL per ride, with no transfer discount. With Eskart it is 40 TL, and a transfer within 60 minutes costs 2.50 TL.
How much is a gondola on the Porsuk?
1,000 TL for a boat carrying up to 4 people. Esbot is 165 TL per person. Payment is by card only, daily 10:00–19:00.
What is open on Mondays?
The streets of Odunpazarı, Atlıhan, the boats on the Porsuk and the Eti Archaeological Museum. OMM, the Meerschaum Museum, the Wax Museum and the Fairy Tale Castle are closed.
Can I buy a meerschaum pipe as a gift?
Yes, at workshops in Odunpazarı and at Atlıhan. As well as pipes, craftspeople make jewellery and figurines from the same stone.
Sources and check dates
We checked everything on 14 October 2026. Transport, boat and museum prices change, so check the sources below before travelling.
- Odunpazari Historical Urban Site, Tentative List no. 5733 — UNESCO World Heritage Centre, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Odunpazarı: houses, museums, visiting — Visit Eskişehir, Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality tourism portal, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Kurşunlu complex — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Meerschaum Museum — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eskişehir Lüle Taşı, registration no. 26 — TÜRKPATENT, register of geographical indications, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eskişehir Çiğböreği (Çibörek), no. 163 — TÜRKPATENT, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eskişehir Met Helvası, no. 250 — TÜRKPATENT, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eskişehir Simidi, no. 1058 — TÜRKPATENT, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Gondola and Esbot on the Porsuk — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Sazova Park — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Kentpark beach — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Visiting: hours and tickets — Odunpazarı Modern Müze, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eti Archaeological Museum — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Tram and bus fares — ESTRAM, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Frequently asked questions: transfers, Eskart, QR tickets — ESTRAM, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Eskişehir: statistics 1991–2025 — MGM, Turkey’s General Directorate of Meteorology, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Midas City and the Midas Monument — Visit Eskişehir, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Midas (Yazılıkaya) Archaeological Site — Türkiye Müzeleri, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, checked 14 Oct 2026
- Ankara – Eskişehir high-speed train — TCDD Taşımacılık, checked 14 Oct 2026
