Province · Anatólia Oriental

Ağrı

Ağrı includes Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), the highest point in Turkey, and the İshak Paşa Palace in Doğubayazıt, overlooking the plain on the border with Iran.

In the photo: İshak Paşa Palace, Doğubayazıt

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Ağrı

Ağrı occupies a high plateau in the far east of Turkey, bordering Iran. The landscape is dominated by Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), a 5,137-meter volcano and the country’s highest point, with Little Ararat beside it. The mountain is part of Mount Ağrı National Park and can be seen from many stretches of the road linking Doğubayazıt to Iğdır.

The most visited site is the İshak Paşa Palace (İshak Paşa Sarayı), about 6 km from Doğubayazıt, on a slope facing the plain. Begun in 1685 and completed in 1784, the complex includes a mosque, harem, reception rooms, a bath and a tomb, with carved stone portals that mix Ottoman, Persian and Armenian elements.

Doğubayazıt is also the base for Ararat. Ascents to the summit are done with local operators and require prior permission; expeditions usually take place in summer. Near the town are the tomb of the poet Ahmed-i Hani, the old fortress of Doğubayazıt and the Durupınar site, a land formation that local tradition associates with Noah’s Ark.

The city of Ağrı, the provincial capital, has an airport and functions mainly as a transit point. Winters on the plateau are long with frequent snow; in summer days are typically dry and nights cool. It is common to combine Ağrı with Iğdır, Kars and Van on the same trip through the east.

When to go

From June to September days are usually stable, and it is the season for expeditions to Ararat. May and October can already be cold, with snow on the upper parts of the mountain. From November to March, winter on the plateau is often severe, with temperatures below zero and roads subject to snow. In the Northern Hemisphere the seasons are opposite to those in Brazil.

Getting there

Ağrı Airport (AJI) is near the provincial capital; Doğubayazıt is about 100 km by road. Another option is to fly to Iğdır (IGD), on the other side of Ararat, or to Van (VAN), and continue by car or bus. Check before purchasing.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Ağrı

Where is the İshak Paşa Palace located?

It is in the Doğubayazıt district, about 6 km above the town, on a slope facing the plain. Access is by road, by taxi, car or tour. Allow half a day to walk the courtyards, mosque and rooms and to view the plain from above.

Can you climb Mount Ararat?

Yes, but summiting requires prior permission and is usually done with registered local operators in multi-day expeditions, generally in summer. Those who do not intend to climb can view the mountain from the road and the surroundings of Doğubayazıt. Rules may change: confirm in advance.

How many days should you book for Ağrı?

One or two days in Doğubayazıt are enough for the palace and surrounding sights. The ascent of Ararat requires a week or more, counting acclimatization. Many travelers pass through Ağrı en route between Van, Iğdır and Kars.

Which town to use as a base in Ağrı?

Doğubayazıt is the most practical base: it is close to the palace and is the starting point for Ararat expeditions. The city of Ağrı has the airport but is far from the main sights.

Do you need a car in the province of Ağrı?

It helps. There are buses between towns, but the palace, the national park and viewpoints are outside the centers. Taxi, hired driver or a tour departing from Doğubayazıt work well.