Dogubeyazit
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Dogubeyazit

Dogubeyazit

Far-eastern Turkish border town below Mount Ararat, watched over by Ishak Pasha Palace.

Dogubeyazit — jocularly known as "Doggy Biscuit" among travellers — is a small but pleasant town in the far east of Turkey, hard up against the Iranian border. It sits at the edge of sweeping grass plains that run all the way up to Mount Ararat, the 5,137-metre volcano where Noah's Ark supposedly came to rest. The mountain dominates everything here and draws climbers from around the world.

The town's other great attraction is Ishak Pasha Palace, a dramatic 17th-century Ottoman palace perched on a rocky ledge above the town with views across to Ararat. The palace combines Ottoman, Persian, Seljuk, and Armenian architectural elements in a way that reflects this crossroads region, and the original golden gate was famously taken to the Hermitage by Russian troops in 1917. Dogubeyazit is also a natural stopover for travellers crossing overland to Iran, and you will find Iranians spending their holidays here too — friendly conversations over tea are easy to come by.

Guide

Getting There

Dogubeyazit is a long way from anywhere in Turkey — it is 300 kilometres east of Erzurum and 100 kilometres from Agri, the nearest city of any size. The easiest approach is by bus: frequent services run from Agri, Van, and Erzurum, and there are longer-distance buses from Ankara and Istanbul that stop here on the way to the Iranian border.

There is no train to Dogubeyazit; the nearest train stations are at Agri and Dogu. The closest airport is at Agri (AJI), with limited connections to Istanbul; most travellers fly to Erzurum or Van and take a bus from there. By car the town is straightforward to reach on good highways from Van (via the D975) or from Erzurum. The border crossing into Iran at Gürbulak, 8 kilometres east of town, is one of the main overland crossing points between Turkey and Iran and is open to tourists with the appropriate visa.

Guide

Things to Do

Dogubeyazit's entire appeal is defined by two things: Mount Ararat looming over everything to the north, and Ishak Pasha Palace perched on its ledge above the old town. These two sights draw climbers and travellers from around the world to this remote border town. The town itself is a practical base rather than a destination — the interest is outside it.

Guide

When to Go

The climbing season on Ararat runs from June to September, and these months also bring the best weather to the town itself — warm and dry, with the mountain frequently clear of cloud in the morning before afternoon haze builds. July and August are peak season for climbers.

Winters in Dogubeyazit are harsh — the town sits at 1,600 metres and temperatures regularly drop well below freezing from November through March. The mountain road to Ishak Pasha Palace can be difficult in snow. Spring (April–May) can be surprisingly pleasant, with wildflowers on the plains below Ararat and snow still on the upper mountain. Most travellers pass through in summer or as part of an overland route to or from Iran.