Şanlıurfa, Harran, Halfeti, Gaziantep

Şanlıurfa:
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Şanlıurfa: (Also known as “Urfa”)
Urfa became Şanlıurfa (Glorious Urfa) in 1984

Şanlıurfa GAP Airport is  in Gölgen, 35km northeast of the city on the Road to Diyarbakir. 
The airport code is: GNY. Tel: (0414) 378 1111

Where to sleep:
  • Hilton Garden Inn: Tel: (0414) 3185000 Karakoyunlu Mah. 11 Nisan Fuar Cad. 
  • Manici Hotel: Balıklıgöl Civarı.ŞURKAV Alışveriş Merkezi No. 68, Şanlıurfa. Tel: (0414) 215 99 11 . very nice hotel
  • Aslan Konuk Evi: 12 Eylul Cad. (Demokrasi cad.) Tel: (0414) 215 1575. Traditional decorated Guest House.
  • Hotel Rabis: Sarayönü PTT Karşısı. Tel: (0414) 216 9595.

Where to eat:
  • Cevahir Konukevi, Tel: (0414) 2159377 . Very nice place where you eat well, but they do not sell alcohol.
  • Çift Magara: Çift Kubbe Alti Balikligöl. Nice Terrace with good view
  • Gülhan Restaurant: on Atatürk Caddesi.  Known for its şıllık (dessert)

Urfa's culinary specialities: Çig köfte, Urfa Kebab and şıllık.
Something special from there: Buy a nice Pomegranate syrup at Punica-Sadece Nar: Karaman Mah. Eyyubiye, Şanlıurfa. Tel: (0532) 616 99 22

What to See:
  • The Balikli Göl
  • The Bazaar and  walk up to the fortress,
  • The Rizvaniye Vakfi Camii & Medresesi and the Halilur Rahman Camii
  • The Şanlıurfa museum (closed on mondays)
  • Walk around the Urfa's backstreets and look at the old houses build out of limestone. 
  • Güzel Sanatlar Galerisi: The courtyard is very nice of this Gallery (closed on sundays)
  • Il Özel idaresi Kültür ve sanat Merkezi: very nice restored house (it used to be a church)


Shopping Malls:
  • Forum Gaziantep: İstasyon cd. Yaprak Mah. No:76 Şehitkamil
  • Prime Mall: Osmangazi Mah. Prof.Dr.Necmettin Erbakan cad. 33.sokak No:71 Şehitkamil 

Harran

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Harran is south of Urfa, close to the Syrian boarder. Go and see the Beehive Houses and the castle



Halfeti

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Between Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep, stop in Halfeti (north of Birecik). 

Next to the big lake there is the Duba Restaurant with nice fish. From there, take a boat to see Rumkale, very nice fortress. It will take you 40 min to do the round trip, worthwhile ! 

Gaziantep 

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Gaziantep ( Also known as  "Antep")
Heroic Antep became Gaziantep in 1973. The epithet 'Gazi' (War Hero) was added to Antep to pay homage to their tenacious defense in 1920. 

Gaziantep is known for its fıstık (pistachio). They produce best pistachio baklava- a must eat while there.
Walk around also in the Bey neighbourhood, known for the historical houses and architecture.
Don't miss having a coffee in the historical Tahmis Coffeehouse, situated in the middle of the bazaar

Gaziantep Oğuzeli International Airport  is 20 km far from the city. The code is: GZT. Tel: (0342) 582 1111

NOTE: Due to the Mw 7.8 strong earthquake on Frebruary 6th, 2023, some places might be closed. Please double check before.


Where to sleep:
Where to eat:
  • Imam Cağdas, with very very local food. They sell a good baklava as the city is known for its pistachios. No alcohol
  • Zekeriya: Çukur Mh. Körükcü Sok. B Hilmi Gecidi No: 16/C-D Sahinbey. Tel: (0342) 230 0971. Nice Katmer. You can also order online
  • Kasap Ömer Usta: 52054. Sokak ,Mücahitler Mahallesi 54. Tel: (0539) 307 0622. Kebap-Steakhouse
  • Sahan: Sira Hani. Home made food. They sell alcohol 
  • Yörem Mutfağı: Incilipınar Mah. 3, Sokak 15. Nice for lunch
  • Big Chefs: inside the Sanko Park.  Shopping Center. Fevzi Çakmak Bul Zemin Kat No:37/38Şehitkamil. Tel: (0342) 3391900 
  • Bayazhan:  Akyol Mahallesi No 119 /1 Sahinbey. Tel: (0342) 221 0212. Nice Restaurant/Bistro
  • Baro Lokali: Outdoor terrace in the 100.Yıl Atatürk Parkı.Nice mezzes and meat dishes and they serve rakı, beer or wine
  • Binevler Unlu Mamülleri: Binevler Mah. 48. Nice Bakery
  • Çelebioğulları: Kocaoglan Mah.  Demokrasi Bulv. No:43. Known for its Baklava & Lokum

What to see: 
  • The castle (Kale) and inside is the Gaziantep Defence and Heroism panoramic Museum
  • Saklı Konak Copperware Museum: Close to the Castle.
  • The Archeological Museum and the new mosaic museum, Zeugma, featuring more than 2500square-meter mosaic, a must to see !
  • Bakircilar Carşisi. A huge bazaar area. Look for the Zincirli Bedesten (Coppersmiths' Market). Walk around there and discover the food and spice markets. Don't worry if you get lost, you will always find a way out.
  • Gaziantep Kent Müzesi (City Museum) on Atatürk Bulvari 
  • The Emine Gögüş Culinary Museum on Köprübaşi Sokak
  • The Game and Toy Museum: Situated in Bey Mahallesi. The 'Bey neighborhood' is one of Gaziantep’s historical districts
  • Medusa Glassware Museum: In the Şakir Street in the Seferpaşa neighborhood
  • Planetarium and Science Center: The first one of Turkey. It is situated in the 100. Yıl Atatürk Culture Park.
  • Parkantep World of Wonders: Amusement park
  • The Zoo: In the Burç Forest.


Travel Agency:
  • BTO Travel: Talk to the Owner, Osman: (0532) 323 6180 or Mrs Deniz, Cell: (0530) 764 0262. She speaks English and German. Email: dgozden@btotravel.com. They organize tours  all over Turkey, plane and train tickets, hotel reservations, rent-a-car, airport transfers and much more. very well known. 

Health: Medical Park Hospital: Mücahitler Mah. 52063 Nolu Sok. No:2 Şehitkamil Gaziantep. Tel: (0342) 211 16 00

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