Nemrut Dağı, Malatya, Diyarbakır
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Nemrut Dağı National Park:
The Mount Nemrut National Park is a very well known and favorite attraction in Turkey. It is not very easy to get there, but worthwhile visiting it. The peak of the mountain where the famous statues of the Heads are, rises up to 2150m high. The views are absolutely fantastic, so we recommend visiting it early morning at sunrise or in the evening with the sunset.
> Nemrut Dağ is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987
There is an entrance fee per day into the National Park. If you go one day on sunset, then again next day at sunrise, be aware that you have to pay again.
You can drive up to the top car park of the Nemrut Mountain through two different ways:
a) From the southern side via Karadut (recommended)
b) From the south-western side via Arsameia (Eski Kale) (In July 2013 by Elise Crocker: the road is really torn up going from Nemrut to Arsemia and is slow going. They are working on it, but it is dirt and rocks only)
There are not really nice places to stay, but the options are:
Arriving to Mount Nemrut:
If you come from Malatya:
You can take the main Road via Dogansehir, Gölbasi, Adiyaman and Kahta - About 4 hours drive.
You can also drive south of Malatya through Celikhan to Adiyaman, but the Road is sometimes under construction. Please ask in advance the situation of the Road. It is shorter, but as it's through the mountains ( beautiful views) it will take you also about 4 hours or more to Mount Nemrut from Malatya
>If you come from Diyarbakir:
If you take the Road from Diyarbakir to Siverek, then down south of the Atatürk Baraji to Adiyaman, it can take you up to 5 hours or more to get to Mount Nemrut.
> If you take the quicker Road from Siverek to Narince you have to cross the Baraji with a Ferry. The latest information about the ferry timetables was that they cross every 2 hours starting at 7am to 9:30 pm. The Ferries can only hold up to 25 cars maximum, less if there are mini buses on it, so be prepared that the queues can be very long.
By Elise Crocker, July 2013: there are more frequent boats now ( see picture with the 'older' schedule underneath here). Two arrived on the Siverek side around the same time (3 PM). It was very frenzied and chaotic for all the cars to get off and then load up, but it was rather quick and painless.
> If you come from Sanliurfa: Drive the Road west of the Baraji via Adiyaman and Kahta to Nemrut Mountain. It can take you about 3:30 hours
NOTE: The newly open Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton has recently begun offering tours to Mount Nemrut. If interested, ask the Hotel for their "Nemrut-Arslantepe Sunset Tour" (Its a 3 hour drive from Malatya to Mount Nemrut National Park entrance)
The Mount Nemrut National Park is a very well known and favorite attraction in Turkey. It is not very easy to get there, but worthwhile visiting it. The peak of the mountain where the famous statues of the Heads are, rises up to 2150m high. The views are absolutely fantastic, so we recommend visiting it early morning at sunrise or in the evening with the sunset.
> Nemrut Dağ is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987
There is an entrance fee per day into the National Park. If you go one day on sunset, then again next day at sunrise, be aware that you have to pay again.
You can drive up to the top car park of the Nemrut Mountain through two different ways:
a) From the southern side via Karadut (recommended)
b) From the south-western side via Arsameia (Eski Kale) (In July 2013 by Elise Crocker: the road is really torn up going from Nemrut to Arsemia and is slow going. They are working on it, but it is dirt and rocks only)
There are not really nice places to stay, but the options are:
- Hilton garden Inn Adıyaman: Siteler Mahallesi, 20155. Sk. No:1, Adıyaman Merkez/Adıyaman. Tel: (0416) 219 1000. Opened in February 2018 ! It takes about 1:15min drive to Mount Nemrut
- Nemrut Kervansaray Hotel:I n Karadut. Tel : (0416) 737 21 90. It is the last place to stay before entering the Nemrut milli park and was extremely convenient. The owner, Hami, was very friendly, helpful and accommodating. He has invested a lot in completely renovating the hotel. We had beautiful brand-new rooms overlooking the valleys. Everything is new and spotless. They have great beds, linens, and bathrooms. The food was fresh and included home made cheese, home grown cucumbers and tomatoes and eggs from their own chickens. Hami prepared a huge afternoon "snack" before we went up to see the sunset, then made a full meal with several courses when we returned ( recommended by Elise Crocker)
- Hotel Euphrat: Tel: (0416) 737 2175. Tour groups like to stay here.
- Karadut Pension: Tel: (0416) 737 2169. Simple.
Arriving to Mount Nemrut:
If you come from Malatya:
You can take the main Road via Dogansehir, Gölbasi, Adiyaman and Kahta - About 4 hours drive.
You can also drive south of Malatya through Celikhan to Adiyaman, but the Road is sometimes under construction. Please ask in advance the situation of the Road. It is shorter, but as it's through the mountains ( beautiful views) it will take you also about 4 hours or more to Mount Nemrut from Malatya
>If you come from Diyarbakir:
If you take the Road from Diyarbakir to Siverek, then down south of the Atatürk Baraji to Adiyaman, it can take you up to 5 hours or more to get to Mount Nemrut.
> If you take the quicker Road from Siverek to Narince you have to cross the Baraji with a Ferry. The latest information about the ferry timetables was that they cross every 2 hours starting at 7am to 9:30 pm. The Ferries can only hold up to 25 cars maximum, less if there are mini buses on it, so be prepared that the queues can be very long.
By Elise Crocker, July 2013: there are more frequent boats now ( see picture with the 'older' schedule underneath here). Two arrived on the Siverek side around the same time (3 PM). It was very frenzied and chaotic for all the cars to get off and then load up, but it was rather quick and painless.
> If you come from Sanliurfa: Drive the Road west of the Baraji via Adiyaman and Kahta to Nemrut Mountain. It can take you about 3:30 hours
NOTE: The newly open Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton has recently begun offering tours to Mount Nemrut. If interested, ask the Hotel for their "Nemrut-Arslantepe Sunset Tour" (Its a 3 hour drive from Malatya to Mount Nemrut National Park entrance)
Some places to see around Mount Nemrut:
- Karakuş Tümülüs (Monument Grave):About 10km South-west of Mt. Nemrut. Several Colums on top of the hill. One with an eagle on the top, another with a lion. There were more colums before, but the limestone bloks were used to build the roman Bridge called Cendere.
- Cendere Bridge: About 10km from the Karakuş Tümülüs you will be crossing a modern bridge, but next to it, you will find the old roman Bridge - pedestrian now. take the time to stop and have a look at it. It was build in the 2nd century BC and still beautiful
- Arsemia Ruins (Eski Kale): An old fortress worth a stop. (In July 2013 by Elise Crocker: the road is really torn up going from Nemrut to Arsemia and is slow going. They are working on it, but it is dirt and rocks only)
Malatya:
Malatya is the capital of the Apricots and they are absolutely delicious !
Do not miss to go to the Apricot Market in the city center, the Coppersmith's Bazaar, Malatya Museum and the Arslantepe Mound
How to get there:
Where to sleep:
Some places to eat:
There is also a Sevinc Pastry Shop and the Mado cafe if you want to have something small to eat/drink.Shopping Mall: Malatya Park (Avm) on İnönü Cd No:192. many Shops inside
Do not miss to go to the Apricot Market in the city center, the Coppersmith's Bazaar, Malatya Museum and the Arslantepe Mound
How to get there:
- Malatya Erhaç Airport: The airport code is: MLX. The airport is located 34km outside Malatya
Where to sleep:
- Grand W Aksac Hotel: Tel: (0422) 324 65 65.
- Yeni Hotel: Tel: (0422) 323 1423. Simple. Close to the Market
- DoubleTree by Hilton: İnönü Caddesi No:174. Tel: (0422) 377 7000.
Some places to eat:
- Sari Kurdela Restaurant and Cafe: PTT Çarsisi No: 7/C. Tel; (0422) 324 7744. Trendy
- Beskonaklar Malatya Mutfagi: on Sinema caddesi,Beşkonaklar No:13.Tel: (0422) 326 0051 Traditional Malatya Food. In summer they have a nice garden.
There is also a Sevinc Pastry Shop and the Mado cafe if you want to have something small to eat/drink.Shopping Mall: Malatya Park (Avm) on İnönü Cd No:192. many Shops inside
Diyarbakır:
Diyarbakır is famous for its city walls and Gates. The city centre is surrounded by the 6km wall where in many parts of it you can go up and walk on it to enjoy some nice views.
How to get there:
The Diyarbakır Airport (code: DIY) is a public airport as well as a military airbase.
Tel: (0412) 233 2719
Where to sleep:
What to see:
Don't miss seeing the city walls and also the Ulus Cami ( Mosque), very interesting and also the Hasan Pasa Hani across Gazi Caddesi.
Health:
How to get there:
The Diyarbakır Airport (code: DIY) is a public airport as well as a military airbase.
Tel: (0412) 233 2719
Where to sleep:
- Otel Büyük Kervansaray: Gazi Caddesi. Tel: 0412-228 9606. Nice courtyard and some rooms are authentic. You can even have a beer there!
- Dedeman Hotel: Elazığ Cad. Büyükşehir Belediyesi Yanı. Tel: 0412- 229 00 00. Outside the city walls. It's also licensed.
- Hilton Garden Inn : Yenisehir Mah. Dr. Seref Inalöz Cad.
What to see:
Don't miss seeing the city walls and also the Ulus Cami ( Mosque), very interesting and also the Hasan Pasa Hani across Gazi Caddesi.
Health:
- Memorial Hospital: Peyas Mah. Fırat Bulvarı No:12, Diclekent / Diyarbakır. Tel: (0412) 314 66 66
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