Southeastern Anatolia is the smallest region in Turkey. The remote area to the south is also one of the least populated. Ancient Mesopotamia is home to some of the oldest cities in Turkey and the world. Not many people know about it out of the country. However, it’s full of culture and beautiful nature.
If you are traveling to Turkey, our 10-day itinerary through the Mesopotamia will help you save time and money. It takes you through its main cities: Diyarbakir, Midyat, Mardin, Sanliurfa, and Gaziantep. Besides, you will have enough time to go on day excursions to other towns.
Since there aren’t many tourists, you can visit all year round. However, going in summer is not a great idea as it tends to be too hot. Winters can be harsh too. Thus, the best times to visit are between March to May and September to November.
Diyarbakir
Day 1 – Explore Diyarbakir
We start our journey in beautiful Diyarbakir. The unofficial capital of Kurdistan is also very old and full of life. Its Old Town is pretty big and hosts a plethora of historic sites.
Start your visit climbing the imposing Diyarbakir City Walls. We are talking about the widest and longest city walls in the world. These are only shorter than the Great Wall of China. You’ll love the views of the valley and beyond.
Once done with the views, go explore the historic mosques and churches that dot the city. The one you should not miss is the Great Mosque of Diyarbakir. The temple was modeled after the famous Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
Day 2 – Day Trip to the Dicle Bridge
On your second day, leave the old town and head over to the Ten-eyed Bridge, also known as Dicle Bridge. To get there, take a taxi from the old town or walk for about 30 minutes. On the way there you’ll see the ancient Hevsel Gardens to your left.
The bridge was built in 1065 during the Marwanid period. It is made entirely from local basalt stone and consists of 10 arches. Locals and tourists flock to the bridge to walk, take photos, sing, and dance. If you have time, have tea in one of the teahouses by the river.
Once you are back in the old town, visit some ancient houses and khans. Three of the grandest houses are now museums: Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library, Cahit Sitki Taranci House Cultural Museum, and Ziya Gökalp House Museum. Have a cup of black tea in Hasan Pasa Hani, opposite the Grand Mosque.
Where to Stay in Diyarbakir
In Diyarbakir, you can either stay in the old town or in the modern area, to the north. We strongly believe you should stay in the old town. It’s more atmospheric, and most sites are here. The area is perfectly safe, but avoid the dark alleys at night.
Our favorite hotel in the old town is the Green Park Hotel. It’s a large comfortable hotel with spacious rooms with great views and a spa center. The hotel’s restaurant is a historic inn from the 14th Century.
Most hotels are north of the old town. Two of our favorites are the New Garden Hotel and the Dies Hotel. Both are modern hotels, with big and comfortable rooms.
Midyat
Day 3 – Explore Midyat
If you think few people visit Diyarbakir, wait until you get to Midyat. You might just be the only foreigner in town. To get there, you may have to change buses in Batman, but who wouldn’t want to stop in a place with that name?
Midyat’s main highlight is its authentic old town. Ancient churches and cave houses dot the cobbled streets of this charming city. After admiring the old town, jump on a taxi and visit the Estel neighborhood.
If you have time, hire a taxi to take you to the ancient monasteries outside of the city. Mor Gabriel Monastery from the 4th Century and Meryem Ana from the 6th Century are the most impressive ones.
Where to Stay in Midyat
As you can imagine, there aren’t that many places to stay in Midyat. In fact, you can only book online just a few. Please note that you cannot stay at the historic Midyat Guesthouse. However, go have a drink there.
Our first recommendation goes to the outstanding Kasr-i Nehroz Hotel. This 18th-Century palace belonged to the first family that settled in Midyat. The palace has been thoroughly refurbished to include modern-day amenities.
Another lavish historic palace is the nearby Shmayaa Hotel. It has an elegant big courtyard. The views from the upper floor are priceless. The Kasri Mezopotamya Hotel is also an ancient palace. It’s the newest hotel in Midyat.
Mardin
Day 4 – Explore Mardin
Mardin is the only city in the region relatively well-known outside of Turkey. And for a good reason: the city is an extraordinary blend of nature and architecture. There is a charming old town perched on a hill overlooking the Mesopotamia plains. Thus, you won’t get tired of the outstanding views!
You should spend a day roaming the streets of Mardin’s Old Town. The streets are narrow and curvy, so you may easily get lost. But don’t panic, you will bump into beautiful historic churches and mosques. Go inside, and you’ll learn about the history of this ancient city.
You should not miss two historic Madrasas. Zinciriye Madrasa is in the old town, just under the castle. That’s the one with two large domes. The Kasimiye Madrasa is just outside of the old town. Take an inexpensive taxi to get there.
Day 5 – Day Trip to Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Dara
Mardin offers a plethora of interesting day trips. Though there are no public buses to any of them, you can hire an inexpensive taxi or join organized tours. Of course, you can also rent a car and drive.
The most popular day trip from Mardin is to the ancient city of Dara, close to the Syrian border. Dara was founded in 505 AC and was a major battle ground during the wars between Romans and Persians. The massive archeological site will leave you speechless.
On the way there, stop by the 5th-Century Deyrulzafaran Monastery. It was the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church for centuries. Don’t miss its main chapel. There’s a 300-year-old bible and a 1600-year-old mosaic inside.
Where to Stay in Mardin
Mardin has hotels for every kick and fancy. Most of them are in the old town on the slopes of a hill. If you rather stay at an international chain, your best option is just a short drive from the Old Town.
Several hotels are old family mansions. Undoubtedly, the most impressive one is the Mardius Tarihi Konak. The 15th-Century palace has everything you ever dreamed of: elegance, class, comfort, and jaw-dropping views.
The Maristan Tarihi Konak is a more affordable historic palace. The 700-year-old mansion has modern and plush rooms! The best international hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn. The tall tower faces the hills. It has modern rooms, great views, an indoor pool, a sauna, and a gym.
Sanliurfa
Day 6 – Explore Sanliurfa
No matter how many places you’ve visited in Turkey, Sanliurfa will leave you breathless. The oldest temple in the world is here! Not only that, but Abraham himself was born here. The Patriarch of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths is a native.
Begin your visit in one of the country’s most sacred religious sites. We are talking about Balikligol Pond. It’s between the Halil Al Rahman and Rizvaniye Mosques. According to ancient texts, the Mesopotamian King Nimrod threw Abraham into the fire here. The fire turned into water.
Explore the area around the pond. Don’t forget to check the Mevlid-i Halil Mosque and the cave where Prophet Abraham was born. To enjoy the unforgettable views of the city, climb the hill where the castle is. Then continue to the Sanliurfa Archeological Museum and the Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum.
Day 7 – Day Trip to Gobekli Tepe
One of the main reasons tourists come to Sanliurfa is to visit the oldest temple in the world. Gobekli Tepe dates back to the 10th Millennium BC. The Neolithic revolution took place here 12000 years ago! You’ll be impressed by its circular structures made of massive stone pillars.
The easiest way to get there is by private taxi. Agree on a price beforehand and enjoy the ride. Otherwise, you can take a public bus. Three buses depart each day from the small stop by the Nevali Hotel. You can also join an organized tour.
A visit to Gobekli Tepe should only take half a day. Once back in Sanliurfa, spend your time in its beautiful old town. Walkabout its narrow streets searching for brightly colored houses. The city’s largest souk is to the south. Try Turkish coffee with roasted pistachios at the Gumruk Han.
Day 8 – Day Trip to Harran
Harran is an extraordinary village close to the Syrian border. The cute little village is one of the oldest inhabited places on earth. Though very important in ancient times, only occasional travelers visit this authentic place these days.
Start your visit by passing under the Aleppo Gate of Harran’s ancient City Wall. Climb the hill in front and visit the archeological sites on your left. Continue to Harran village to explore its iconic beehive houses. We are talking about conical dwellings with high domes made of layers of mud and straw. Finish your tour at Harran’s Castle.
It’s a bit tricky to get to Harran by public transport. Minibuses connect Sanliurfa with Harran several times a day but not on a fixed schedule. Therefore, stand on Akçakale Street and look for buses. Raise your hand as soon you see a bus with a Harran sign on it. Naturally, you can also hire a taxi or join an organized tour.
Day 9 – Day Trip to Mount Nemrut
Of all the places on this list, Mount Nemrut is the most isolated one. The whole area is unreachable in the winter months when snow covers the mountain. Thus, if visiting Southeast Anatolia in winter, spend another day in Sanliurfa or go on a day trip to Halfeti.
Mount Nemrut is famous all around Turkey for its giant statues around a royal tomb. King Antiochus I of Commagene built this sanctuary in the year 62 BC. The statues represent himself, two lions, two eagles, and different Greek and Iranian gods.
There are no public buses to Mount Nemrut, so you must hire a taxi or drive there yourself. From Sanliurfa, it’s a three-hour drive. From there, you can either continue to Gaziantep or go back to Sanliurfa to spend the night.
Where to Stay in Sanliurfa
Since Sanliurfa is a bit touristy, there are hotels for all tastes and budgets. Most are in its charming old town. While some are original ancient palaces, others are modern-day replicas. International chains are to the north of the old town.
Our first recommendation goes to the Palmyra Boutique Hotel. The carefully restored old palace has large rooms, original antiques, and a roof terrace with fantastic views. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning in the beautiful courtyard.
The Elci Konagi is another great boutique hotel. The old palace has an original Roman mosaic inside. The best rooms have direct views of an Armenian church converted into a mosque. The Hilton Garden Inn is the best hotel in the new part of town. It has an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna.
Gaziantep
Day 10 – Explore Gaziantep
With a population of approximately 1.6 million people, Gaziantep is Southeast Turkey’s largest city you’ll visit in this itinerary. The city is famous all around the country for its food. The locally produced pistachio baklava has conquered the hearts and bellies of many.
Eat as much as you want and burn it while walking around the city. As in Sanliurfa, Gaziantep has a breath-taking old town with an old Seljuk and Ottoman houses. Spend some time in Zincirli Bedesten, the city’s souk. A visit to the impressive 12th Century Castle is a must.
You are going to love the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. It’s the biggest of its kind in the world! Zeugma was an ancient city of the Commagene kingdom 30 miles (50 km) east of Gaziantep. The museum hosts gorgeous mosaics excavated from the ancient site.
Where to Stay in Gaziantep
Unlike the other cities on this list, most of the hotels in Gaziantep are in the modern part of town. There are only a few hotels in the old town. Our two favorites are authentic old mansions.
The best hotel in the old town is the elegant Anadolu Evleri. The hotel is made up of four Anatolian houses. Each is over 150 years old and has a splendid courtyard. The onsite restaurant specializing in regional food is the best in the city.
Efe Bey Konagi is another historic mansion converted into a hotel. Since it’s a much smaller property, it often gets fully booked. The best hotel in the city center is the 5-star Tugcan Hotel. Its rooftop restaurant offers magnificent views of the city.
Traveling Around Southeastern Turkey
The best way to visit Southeast Anatolia is to fly to one of the region’s four airports. The best airports to arrive and leave are in Diyarbakir and Gaziantep. Both places have flights from Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. Gaziantep also has year-round flights from Germany and Switzerland.
Though we love trains, there’s a limited network in the region. You can arrive on a train to Diyarbakir and Gaziantep, but the journey is pretty long. Therefore, it’s better to fly or to take a bus.
Once in the region, you will have to take buses and minibuses, called dolmuses. Buses connect bigger cities and run on a fixed schedule. Minibuses go to smaller cities like Midyat and only leave when full. Make sure to inquire in your hotel about the exact departure points. There are several in every city.
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