A Historic City Quietly Thriving in the Highlands: 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Elazığ

Located in the central part of the Eastern Anatolia region, Elazığ is a city with a population of just over 300,000. Originally, an ancient city stood in the northern area called Harput, but in the 19th century, the present-day town was established.
Situated at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, this town offers a variety of tourist attractions, ranging from historical sites to places where you can enjoy alpine nature.
Now, let us introduce 5 recommended tourist spots in Elazığ.

1. Harput Castle

In the northeast of central Elazığ once stood the ancient city of Harput. The name Harput means “rock fortress” or “burnt citadel,” and as the name suggests, it was a fortified city.
Today, only parts of the castle remain as ruins. However, if you climb to the top of the rugged rocky hill where the castle is built, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Elazığ below. Though few people now live in the steep area of Harput, it remains an essential place for anyone interested in Elazığ's historical tourism.

2. Lake Hazar

Located about 22 km southeast of Elazığ, Lake Hazar is known as the source of the Tigris River, which is famous as part of the Tigris-Euphrates river system. As you gaze out at the vast Lake Hazar surrounded by Anatolian mountains, you may find yourself reflecting on the thought that the Tigris River—which nourished one of the four great civilizations—begins here.
Incidentally, the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest lake, is also called "Hazar" in Turkish.

3. Keban Dam

About 45 km west of Elazığ lies Keban Dam, considered the water reservoir of the Anatolian region. Completed in 1974, this dam holds back the upper reaches of the Euphrates River, which rivals the Tigris. It boasts an impressive water storage capacity of 30 cubic kilometers.
The construction of this dam brought prosperity to Elazığ at the time and greatly contributed to the city's development. Although not developed as a tourist site, visiting this massive project that laid the foundation for modern Elazığ—and taking in the view of the Euphrates Valley—might be a worthwhile experience.

4. Ensar Grill Valley

If you want to enjoy Turkish cuisine—one of the world’s three great cuisines—head to Ensar Grill Valley in the heart of Elazığ! This large restaurant, with its retro exterior, offers an impressive variety of traditional Turkish dishes.
On a fine day, enjoying your meal at an outdoor terrace table will make your Elazığ sightseeing even more refreshing.

5. Hazarbaba Ski Resort

If you're visiting Elazığ in the winter, why not try skiing? On the southern slope of Lake Hazar lies Hazarbaba Ski Resort, a popular winter vacation spot in Elazığ.
Since the city itself is located on a plateau over 1,000 meters above sea level, the ski resort offers excellent snow conditions. You can enjoy skiing to your heart’s content while looking out over the source of the majestic Tigris River.

◎ Summary

Here we introduced the tourist attractions of Elazığ, a highland city in central Turkey. From ancient castle ruins to a massive modern dam, there are a variety of sightseeing spots around Elazığ.
When touring the Eastern Anatolia region, be sure to stop by Elazığ!

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A Historic City Quietly Thriving in the Highlands: 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Elazığ