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    Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe

    Turkey

    Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe

    CityCultureUNESCO

    Şanlıurfa is the city of Abraham in southeastern Turkey and the starting point for Göbekli Tepe, one of humanity's oldest known sanctuaries. Pilgrim ponds with sacred carp, bazaars, and a spicy cuisine characterize the old town.

    by Felix Gillen

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    7. Southeastern Anatolia
    9. Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe
    Şanlıurfa is the city of Abraham in southeastern Turkey and the starting point for Göbekli Tepe, one of humanity's oldest known sanctuaries. Pilgrim ponds with sacred carp, bazaars, and a spicy cuisine characterize the old town. The city has around 600,000 inhabitants; the old town and Balıklıgöl are located at the foot of the castle hill, with museums slightly north in the Haleplibahçe quarter.

    Sights in Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Göbekli Tepe
    Museum

    1Göbekli Tepe

    The Neolithic sanctuary is located approximately 12 km northeast of Şanlıurfa and was used from around 9500 BCE. Within circular enclosures stand T-shaped limestone pillars up to 5.5 m tall, many adorned with animal reliefs. Klaus Schmidt began excavations in 1995; since 2018, the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. A protective roof covers the main enclosures.
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    Balıklıgöl
    Point of Interest

    2Balıklıgöl

    The ponds with the sacred carp are the heart of the Old City. According to legend, Nimrod had Abraham thrown into the fire; the fire turned into water and the wood into fish. On the northern shore stands the 18th-century Rızvaniye Mosque, and right next to it is the Ayn-ı Zeliha Pond.
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    Şanlıurfa Museum
    Museum

    3Şanlıurfa Museum

    Opened in 2015, the Archaeology Museum spans 60,000 m² and displays finds from decades of excavations along the Euphrates. A highlight is the Urfa Man, a statue dating back to around 9000 BC. It offers the best preparation for Göbekli Tepe and the Taş Tepeler.
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    Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum
    Museum

    4Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum

    The Mosaic Museum is just next to the Archaeological Museum. Highlights include hunting scenes with Amazons and an Orpheus mosaic.
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    Urfa Castle (Urfa Kalesi)

    5Urfa Castle (Urfa Kalesi)

    The castle dominates the center of Şanlıurfa and is surrounded on three sides by a rock-cut moat. Its current walls date from the Abbasid era around 814. Atop stand two columns with 3rd-century Corinthian capitals, popularly known as Nimrod's Throne. Today, the castle is an open-air museum.
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    Restaurants in Şanlıurfa & Göbekli Tepe

    1

    Cevahir Han

    In a historic han near Samsat Square, the restaurant also has rooms. Traditional Urfa cuisine is served. Live music often plays upfront; a quieter dining room is in the rear.
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    2

    Famous Liver Chef Aziz Usta's Place

    The grill near Balıklıgöl specializes in Ciğer Kebap, grilled liver skewers, which are served in Lavaş. In Şanlıurfa, they are eaten for breakfast and dinner.
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    3

    Çulcuoğlu Baklava & Restaurant

    This central spot blends restaurant and baklava bakery. A large terrace offers outdoor seating.
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    Eating & Drinking

    Urfa cuisine rests on four pillars: Isot pepper, bulgur, lamb, and clarified butter. Mırra coffee is the final touch.

    Isot

    The dark, smoky pepper is the city's spice and is also sold as Urfa Biberi.

    Ciğer Kebap

    Charcoal-grilled liver skewers are enjoyed in Şanlıurfa at any time of day, even for breakfast.

    Çiğ Köfte

    Bulgur and Isot lend color and heat to the balls. They are among the dishes the city is known for.

    Patlıcan Kebabı

    The minced meat and aubergine skewer is a city classic. Şıllık or Kadayıf often follow as desserts.

    Culture and History

    The Taş TepelerAround Şanlıurfa lie the Stone Age mounds. Göbekli Tepe was used from around 9500 BC and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. The related Karahan Tepe is located about 46 km east of the city.Edessa and the Legend of AbrahamIn antiquity, the city was called Edessa. On the castle hill stand two approximately 15 to 17 m high columns with Corinthian capitals, which were erected under King Ma'nu IX. around 240 to 242 AD. According to Islamic tradition, Abraham was born here, and the pools of Balıklıgöl commemorate him.HarranAbout 40 to 47 km southeast lies Harran with its mud-brick beehive houses. Domed structures there already display Assyrian reliefs from the 7th century BC, though today's houses mostly date from the early 20th century.

    Getting There & Around

    Getting ThereŞanlıurfa GAP Airport is about 35 km out of town; Havaş buses take approx. 45 mins to the centre. Taxis are also available.ExcursionsGöbekli Tepe: About 12 km northeast of the city, reachable by taxi or rental car.Harran and Karahan Tepe: Both can be combined as a day tour by rental car or guided tour.NoteŞanlıurfa province borders Syria. Before you travel, check the current travel advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

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    Nearby

    Southeastern Anatolia

    Southeastern Anatolia

    Southeastern Anatolia is the land between the Euphrates and Tigris, bordering Syria, home to Göbekli Tepe, the colossal statues of Mount Nemrut, and the stone city of Mardin. Here lie some of humanity's oldest cult sites, plus Gaziantep, the capital of Turkish cuisine. If you seek archaeology and hearty, spicy cuisine, this is the right place.
    Nemrut Dağı

    Nemrut Dağı

    Nemrut Dağı is a mountain in the Anti-Taurus range in Southeast Anatolia, on whose summit King Antiochus I of Commagene had his tomb-sanctuary with colossal statues of gods erected. Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a popular destination, especially for sunrise and sunset. Starting points are Kahta and the village of Karadut at the foot of the mountain, about 85 km from Adıyaman.
    Gaziantep

    Gaziantep

    Gaziantep in southeast Turkey, about 97 km north of Aleppo, has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015 and is known for baklava, kebap, and pistachios. In the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, you can see the mosaics from the ancient city of Zeugma on the Euphrates. The city has around 1.9 million inhabitants; its castle, bazaars, and coffee houses are located in the old town center.
    Mardin

    Mardin

    Mardin, in southeastern Turkey, perches on a slope above the Mesopotamian Plain, famed for its south-facing stone old town. Madrasahs, mosques, and Syriac Orthodox monasteries speak of Artuqids, Akkoyunlu, and past Christian communities. With around 130,000 residents, its old town stretches below the citadel down the south slope, best explored on foot.
    Ürgüp

    Ürgüp

    Ürgüp is a small town with just under 25,000 inhabitants in the heart of Cappadocia and is considered the main center for regional viticulture. Ottoman-era stone houses, cave hotels in the rock faces, and the Temenni Wish Hill define the center. At the western entrance to the town stand the Üç Güzeller Fairy Chimneys; a few kilometers south lies the village of Mustafapaşa with its Greek mansions.

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