Car & Van Hire - Erzincan

Erzincan is growing in popularity as a tourist destination. Some visitors are attracted by its interesting history and beautiful monuments, while others come for the chance to ski in the nearby mountains. Around the city, you can see ruins from many different eras. The city stands on a major fault line and has been damaged by several earthquakes over the centuries, but it has always been rebuilt, and today its ruined sites each have their own story to tell.

Car rental in Erzincan is the best way to get around, as many of the most interesting places to see are some distance from the city centre. You'll find the Tomb and Complex of Melike Mama Hatun 20 km away in the village of Tercan. This 13th-century complex has an unusual, totally circular form. The walls are decorated with geometric designs and calligraphy of verses from the Quran. In the village, you can learn more about the remarkable life of Melike Mama Hatun, a rare female leader who has been immortalised in many local legends and folktales.

Another interesting monument is the Abrenk Vank Church. Dating back to 1854, it is all that remains of an Armenian monastery that once stood here. Today it stands in ruins, but there are still some stones decorated with religious symbols. The site of the church is also an excellent place to admire the views, as it stands high on a hilltop.

If you're interested in history, there's no better place to visit than Kemaliye, a historic town surrounded by mountains and rivers. You can get there with car or van rental in Erzincan. Once an outpost of the Silk Road, Kemaliye has been populated for thousands of years. It has ancient petroglyphs to admire and was a major trading centre until the 19th century when caravan routes fell out of favour. Many of the old houses around the town date back to the Ottoman era, and are quite stunning to behold.

Prefer to lose yourself in nature? You'll be able to do that near Erzincan, too! A great starting point is the awe-inspiring Karanlik Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. The Karasu River runs through the canyon, and you can take a boat ride along it. If you want to try something more exhilarating, rock climbing is also available here – but the sheer size of the canyon walls means that it's not a place for novices to the sport.

The centre of Erzincan does not suffer from major rush hour traffic like Istanbul. Nevertheless, you might want to avoid the city centre between 07:00-09:00, and again from 16:00-19:00. There is ample parking, particularly in the city's "Oto Parks" (large car parks). These are operated by attendants who will offer to take your keys and park for you. Given that cars in Oto Parks are usually jammed tightly together, you might want to take advantage of this offer.

If you park on the street, don't bother looking for a parking meter as you won't see any. Instead, you will need to pay an attendant directly. They will usually approach you as you park. When parking on the street, it's a good idea to tuck your wing mirror. Streets are often narrow, and this can help prevent damage.

If you are driving between cities, ensure your car is equipped with an HGS toll reader. This usually takes the form of a sticker fitted with an electronic chip. It is the only way to pay for Turkish toll roads, with credit cards and cash no longer accepted. If you do not have one and you pass through a toll booth, you will need to pay a substantial fine. You might want to check your route in advance, as the price of tolls can vary drastically.

The Stone Road (Tas Yol) runs high above a dark rocky gorge near Kemaliye. Known as one of the most challenging roads in the world, it has become something of an attraction in its own right. Although the road is just 10 km long, it is unpaved, and the gorge is dark and gloomy. The road is incredibly narrow, less than 2 m wide at some points, and has 38 separate tunnels. It took 132 years to build and was finally completed in 2002. While some drivers relish the challenge that Stone Road offers, it's important to take it extremely slowly. Do not even attempt to drive it at night or in bad weather.

The snow season in Erzincan lasts four months, from late November to late March. If you are visiting during this period, snow tyres and snow chains are recommended. Watch out for road closures. When driving between cities in snowy conditions, it is best to stick to highways and avoid the back roads, which are gritted less frequently.