Istanbul was amazing, and as my trip was slowly coming to an end, I decided to spend my last day in a half in Eskisehir. My visit was to visit a family friend, and though I had a limited amount of time (22 hours to be exact), I wouldn’t have spent the time elsewhere.
Finding the middle ground between enjoying city life and basking in the charm and calmness of small towns will always be my favorite way to travel. Include some nature destinations into the mix, and I’ll be the happiest gal.
About Eskisehir
As always, before we get into the heart of the blog, here’s a little about Eskisehir.
- Eskisehir is a small city located in west-central Turkey.
- The name Eskisehir translates to “the old city” in Turkish, although the city embraces both modern and ancient traditions.
- Eskisehir is home to two of the biggest universities in Turkey (Anadolu University and Eskişehir Osmangazi University), making it a very young and vibrant city.
- Eskisehir being one of the largest industrial centers, produces sugar, textiles, bricks, cement, chemicals, processed meerschaum, and railway and agricultural equipment.
- The city is known for its many museums such as the Museum of World Museums, Eti Archaeology Museum, Aviation Museum, Meerschaum Museum, Museum of Independence, Museum of Modern Glass Art, Tayfun Talipoğlu Typewriter Museum, Yılmaz Büyükerşen Wax Museum, and the Odunpazarı Modern Museum.
More info about the museums can be found here.
My trip to Eskisehir was short, but it gave me a glimpse of the lively town. I’m not too much of a small-town gal, but it was one of those vibrant places that leaves you wanting to see more. And as for the artistic culture, I was in love. Turkey is truly a hub for art and history. My mind was still trying to comprehend the minimal knowledge I learned throughout my stay, but it was enough to acknowledge how much I’ve yet to learn and explore.
If you’re interested to know more about Eskisehir and how to make your short stay productive and sweet, keep reading. Here is Eskisehir in less than 22 hours!
How to get to Eskisehir
Traveling within Turkey is very convenient, with transportation being cheap and accessible. You indeed have options, and depending on how you prefer to get around, I’ve listed two options below. I traveled by bus to Eskisehir, and coming back I took the train.
By Bus (Istanbul Otogar to Eskisehir)
By bus, it takes about 5.5 hours to travel from Istanbul Otogar to Eskisehir. Costs will depend on the company the ticket was booked from, time of travel, day of the week, and type of bus (more luxurious buses will cost more).
Kamil Koc – This is the bus company I booked my ticket from and they have offices around the city and offer free shuttle services to the main bus station (otogar). It’s not necessary to buy your bus ticket far in advance. It’s possible to show up on the day you plan to travel and book a ticket for the next bus.
I’d recommend asking your hotel about the nearest bus company locations for additional options on bus companies. I’ve also included a list of some of the well-known bus services in Turkey.
Other well-known bus companies:
Once you’ve arrived at the main bus terminal, you wait until it’s close to your departure time before boarding your bus. The bus routes will be shown on the buses.
By Train (High-speed train)
If you’re looking to travel by high-speed train, you’ll have to depart from Istanbul (Pendik). There are two routes you can choose from:
Option 1: Istanbul – Eskisehir – Ankara route, travel time is about 3 to 4 hours, and the train ticket will be about TL70 for a one-way/single fare.
Option 2: Istanbul – Eskisehir – Konya route, travel time is about 4 hours, and the train ticket will be about TL85 for a one-way/single fare.
*Note: For non-Turkish citizens, it’s best to book train tickets well in advance, whether in person at the planned departure location or through an agency. There may be restrictions if you try to book online.
What to see and do
Well then, let’s get started. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived in Eskisehir, was picked up from the bus station, and rested for a couple of hours, there was less than 22 hours to explore the city. I was still surprised I was able to see as much as I did, and for that I am thankful. And a sincere thank you to Aunty Handan and Uncle Rami for making my time extra special.
Here’s a list of the sightseeing we got to. Enjoy!
Visit the Esminyaturk (Turkish World Miniature Park)
Aunty Handan knowing my love for architecture, our first stop was to the World Miniature Park. The park was originally organized by the Turkish Center for Science, Art, and Culture as part of the Eskisehir project to revive historical accomplishments. The park has a total of 32 miniature models and was created to fully capture the decor and detail of the real-life structures.
You will find architectural splendors from places particularly in Eastern Europe and Asia – countries like Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Mongolia, Albania, Bosnia, India, Crimea, and more.
I would highly recommend this little museum. Admission is a small cost of TL3 for adults and TL1.5 for children, so there’s no reason to miss it and the knowledge it has to offer.
Walk around Sazova Park
Sazova Park, also known as the Science, Culture, and Art Park, is an all-encompassing park full of activities for all ages. The park consists of many different parts, some of which I’ve listed below.
- Eskişehir Zoo
- Planetarium
- Turkic science history building
- Scientific experiments building
- Esminyaturk
- Japanese garden
- An artificial lake and a pirate ship
- Fairytale Castle
- Miniature railway
Along with all the sites listed above, you can find cafes and restaurants as well. It’s a site worth spending a whole day in, even if it’s just to relax and have a picnic. Entrance to the park is completely free, although there may be a couple of entrance fees if you plan to visit some of the attractions within the park.
One thing I appreciate about Turkey is the park and outdoorsy culture. Everyone is always out and about whether with family or alone. It reminds me of my childhood, how frequently my parents would plan a trip to the park, and just how excited my sisters and I would be.
Indulge in local cuisine
It was lunchtime, and we were ready to indulge in some good food. We headed over to the old town of the city, also known as the Odunpazari Evleri.
I love food, but I never really focus on eating when I travel. This indeed is a travel no-no I am slowly working on. I get so overwhelmed with what to eat, that I choose the most basic meals or even just a snack. Luckily, when I have company it makes my food experience a lot more worthwhile. I’m what you call a social eater.
Anyways…..
Food in Turkey is something everyone should experience in my opinion. Even though I didn’t have the foodie experience, I ate enough to know it was *chef’s kiss*.
Enjoy the art and culture at Odunpazari Evleri
One of my favorite parts of travel – visiting the old town of the city, where the culture and art are the most vibrant.
Odunpazari is the historic district of Eskisehir. You will find much of the city’s historical relics here, along with the preserved cultural roots. We visited many shops selling handcrafted jewelry, glass, porcelain, woodwork, paintings, and so much more. Everything was crafted by hand, and you could tell the skill and beauty took generations to master.
May the hands who create with love, continue to prosper in their craft. I’d surely choose a place like this any day over visiting large markets in a bigger city.
Below I’ve listed some of the attractions you can find in Odunpazari.
Historic buildings:
- Alaeddin Mosque (built in 1257)
- Kurşunlu Mosque and Complex (built between 1517-1525)
Museums you can find:
- Eskişehir Meerschaum Museum
- Museum of Independence
- Museum of Modern Glass Art
- Tayfun Talipoğlu Typewriter Museum
- Yılmaz Büyükerşen Wax Museum
- Odunpazari Modern Museum
Experience a Turkish hammam
Last, but not least. I vowed to myself I wouldn’t leave Turkey before experiencing a Turkish hammam, and I’m glad I didn’t. I’m a shy person so the thought of being almost completely naked in front of other women didn’t sit right with me. You learn to get over it though. You’re likely to see a lot more older women in the hammams, so I guess that makes it less intimidating and awkward. And now that I’ve experienced it, I would do it all over again and more.
The relaxing and refreshing feeling you get afterward is amazing! Let’s be honest, we all could use a good scrub. I didn’t take pictures for obvious reasons, but hopefully, you’re convinced enough to go and get your crusty self scrubbed 😉
You can find some Turkish hammams & baths in Eskisehir here.
To conclude our day, we went back home to collect my belongings, did a bit of wandering and driving, and it was finally time to head to the train station. Surprisingly the day felt longer, and I wish it was. That just leaves room for next time. I’m here to let you know that it’s still possible no matter how much time you have. Time spent wisely is time never wasted.
Well then, there ya have it. A full itinerary of Eskisehir in less than 22 hours!
Turkey, until next time- Teşekkür ederim!
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Have any suggestions on additional sites to add to the itinerary, don’t forget to share them in the comments below!
