Bitlis
TurkeyTR
Municipality in Turkey
Bitlis is a city in southeastern Turkey. It is the seat of Bitlis District and Bitlis Province. Its population is 53,023 (2021). The city is located at an elevation of 1,545 metres, 15 km from Lake Van, in the steep-sided valley of the Bitlis River, a tributary of the Tigris. The local economy is mainly based on agricultural products which include fruits, grain and tobacco. Industry is fairly limited, and deals mainly with leatherworking, manufacture of tobacco products as well as weaving and dyeing of coarse cloth. Bitlis is connected to other urban centres by road, including Tatvan on Lake Van, 25 km to the northeast, and the cities of Muş (Mush), 100 km northwest, and Diyarbakır, 200 km to the west. The climate of Bitlis can be harsh, with long winters and heavy snowfalls. Since the local elections of March 2019, the Mayor of Bitlis is Nesrullah Tanğlay. Bitlis has been identified in the scholarly literature as a historically Kurdish city. Martin van Bruinessen (2013), examining Kurdish urbanisation, noted the predominantly Kurdish character of Bitlis and its population. Demographic studies of Turkey's Kurdish-majority provinces have consistently identified Bitlis among the provinces with the highest concentrations of Kurdish speakers.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 43,109
- Coordinates
- 38.401, 42.108
- Timezone
- Europe/Istanbul
- Elevation
- 1500 m
Overview of Bitlis
Bitlis — a low-key town in Turkey — is worth a place on your map. Records put its population near 43,109. And that scale sets the rhythm of a stay. Bitlis is strongest on nature and water sports. It lies in the northern hemisphere, which drives its seasonal calendar. You are about 1,500 metres up.
Things to do in Bitlis
Nature in Bitlis
(4)On the nature side, Bitlis offers Geological Formations, Lakes, Mountains and Volcanoes. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Bitlis. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Water Sports in Bitlis
(1)For water sports, expect Surf. Plan them together and you have a full day. The list follows Bitlis's own activity tags.
Best time to visit Bitlis
The warm stretch of June to September is when water activities work best. April to June and September to October offers mild conditions for outdoor routes.
Getting there & around
Public transport thins out here — the nearest hub in Turkey plus a short drive is the usual route. Set your clock to Europe/Istanbul on arrival.
Similar destinations
Places near Bitlis that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Bitlis known for?
- Travellers associate Bitlis with nature and water sports. It sits in Turkey and counts about 43,109 residents.
- What can you do in Bitlis?
- Bitlis is tagged with Geological Formations, Lakes, Mountains, Volcanoes and Surf, which is enough to structure a first visit.
- When is the best time to visit Bitlis?
- The warm stretch of June to September is when water activities work best. April to June and September to October offers mild conditions for outdoor routes.
- Where is Bitlis located?
- Bitlis belongs to Turkey, so it pairs naturally with other stops in the same area.
Personal notes
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