Çorum, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Çorum

Çorum lies in north-central Anatolia, between Ankara and Samsun. The province is Hittite country: Hattusa, the empire’s capital for much of the second millennium BCE, is in Boğazkale, southwest of the provincial capital, and is commonly visited from Ankara.

Hattusa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route includes the Great Temple, the Lion Gate, the King’s Gate, the Yerkapı (an artificial ramp crossed by a stone tunnel of about 70 metres), and a section of mud-brick wall reconstructed using ancient techniques. Thousands of cuneiform tablets were found there, including a version of the Kadesh treaty between the Hittites and Egyptians.

Yazılıkaya, about 2 km away, is an open-air rock sanctuary with reliefs of dozens of deities and of King Tudhaliya IV. Alacahöyük, to the north, has the Gate of the Sphinxes and a museum with finds from the site, and Şapinuva, in Ortaköy, was another important Hittite city.

In the provincial capital, the Çorum Museum tells the region’s history, and leblebi, roasted chickpeas, are sold in shops throughout the town. The İncesu canyon, near Çorum, has a trail along the river.

Destinations

1 destination in Çorum

1 city

Ankara

Cities

1 cities in Çorum in the guide

Çorum

Boğazkale

Boğazkale is the access base for Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire. The terrain contains walls, gateways and temple areas; the Yazılıkaya sanctuary, outside the core of the ancient city, adds rock-carved reliefs.

When to go

April to June and September to October are usually the best months for Hattusa, an extensive site at altitude with little shade. Summers are hot during the day. Winters tend to be cold with snow, and site access can become difficult.

Getting there

Esenboğa Airport (ESB) in Ankara is the most commonly used for Hattusa; Amasya–Merzifon (MZH) is closer to the provincial capital and has flights from Istanbul. The most used airports are Ankara and Merzifon. There are buses from Ankara to Çorum and Sungurlu, from where the stretch to Boğazkale is short. A car is the most practical way to visit Hattusa, Yazılıkaya and Alacahöyük.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Çorum

Can you visit Hattusa on a day trip from Ankara?

Yes, by car or with an organized tour. It’s about two and a half hours' driving each way, and visiting Hattusa and Yazılıkaya requires three to four hours.

Is Hattusa visited on foot?

The site is large and involves uphill walks; the circuit is often done by car with stops at each point. Those who go on foot need several hours and good fitness.

Is it worth including Alacahöyük?

It’s worth it for archaeology enthusiasts. The Gate of the Sphinxes and the small museum are less than an hour’s drive from Boğazkale and can be done the same day.

What is Çorum’s leblebi?

It’s roasted chickpeas, sold plain, with salt, with sugar or with spices. Shops in Çorum sell dozens of varieties, packed to take away.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.