Mardin, Midyat & Hasankeyf
Mardin: (updated March 2021)
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Mardin:
Mardin is a very special city. It is on a Hill overlooking the Mesopotamian plains. Due to its geographical situation, it's a fascinating culture mix. (Kurdish, Syrian, Christian cultures)
How to get there:
Mardin Airport is located in Kızıltepe, 20 kilometres southeast from Mardin. Its code is: MQM.
If you want to explore also the outskirts of Mardin, we highly recommend to rent a car. Car rentals are available at the airport. Avis/Budget, Enterprise and some local ones.
If you have your own car and want to drive into the old town, you can park at the Cumhuriyet Meydanı, next to the Mardin Museum there is an open car park.
Where to stay:
Where to eat:
What to see:
Start by walking around the 1. Cadde (Main Street) in the old town. There are many beautiful buildings, streets, shops and coffee houses. Walk also the small parallel streets to the main street!
Some attractions/Buildings you should not miss seeing:
What to buy in Mardin:
If you walk on the main street, you will see hundreds of shops. The main things you will find are: Jewellery Shops, Soap Shops, Dry Fruits and Nuts shops and much more. Some places to find nice items are:
On the outskirts of Mardin:
Mardin is a very special city. It is on a Hill overlooking the Mesopotamian plains. Due to its geographical situation, it's a fascinating culture mix. (Kurdish, Syrian, Christian cultures)
How to get there:
Mardin Airport is located in Kızıltepe, 20 kilometres southeast from Mardin. Its code is: MQM.
If you want to explore also the outskirts of Mardin, we highly recommend to rent a car. Car rentals are available at the airport. Avis/Budget, Enterprise and some local ones.
If you have your own car and want to drive into the old town, you can park at the Cumhuriyet Meydanı, next to the Mardin Museum there is an open car park.
Where to stay:
- Hilton Garden Inn: Tel: (0482) 212 3224. Yenisehir Mah. Ravza Cad. About 10 minutes drive from the old town. They have nice views from the Terrace.
- Erdoba Elegance Hotel &Spa: Midyat Yolu Üzeri Ömerli Cad 3.Km, Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 212 1500.
- Zinciriye Hotel: Zinciriye Medresesi Karşısı Medrese Mahallesi Sok:243 No:13. Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 212 48 66. At the main Street of the old town
- Tatlıdede Konağı: Ulucami Mah, 104. Sk. No:27, Mardin Tel: (0482) 213 2720. A small 15 rooms hotel with views
- Mardin Osmanlı Konağı: Medrese Mahallesi, 1. Cadde No 157, Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 212 7677. On the main street of the old town.
- Stone Boutik Hotel: Latifiye Mah. 152. Tepe Sokak No: 34. Tel: (0482) 213 0696. Small Hotel close to the Latifiye Camii.
Where to eat:
- Cercis Murat Konağı, In the city center, Cumhuriyet Cad. Tel: (0482) 213 6841. Very nice food. Known for its Kaburga Dolması. They also sell local wine & beer. During Ramadan, they have a special iftar menu. About 100m from the Mardin Museum
- Bağdadi Restaurant: Şar Mah., Vali Adil 228 Sk. Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 212 5555. Very good restaurant with nice terrace. They also sell local wine & beer. During Ramadan, they have a special iftar menu. 50m from the Mardin Museum
- Leyli Muse: Şar Mah. 228. Sokak No:7 Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 213 20 87. Very nice Food and friendly staff. They also have a terrace. Next to the Mardin Museum.
- Seyr-i Merdin: 1.Cad. No:249, Artuklu. Tel: (0482) 212 18 40, Nice place for Tea/Coffee or Lunch with a huge terrace and great views
- Kamer Vakif: In the city center, Cumhuriyet Cad. Operated by the 'Moon Foundation' (in support of women-victims of domestic violence). Different women cook there very authentic special food from the region, very good!
What to see:
Start by walking around the 1. Cadde (Main Street) in the old town. There are many beautiful buildings, streets, shops and coffee houses. Walk also the small parallel streets to the main street!
Some attractions/Buildings you should not miss seeing:
- Sabanci Museum. Open from 8:00 to 17:00, except Mondays. On the main Street
- Mardin Museum. Open from 8:00 to 17:00. In summer months up to 18:30, except Mondays. On the main Street
- Zinciriye (Sultan İsa) Medresesi. Medrese Mh. Build in 1385, the complex's highlight is the amazing doorway, but don't forget to walk through the nice courtyards and onto the roof to enjoy the cityscape. Don't miss going to the tea garden and sit there to enjoy a great view of Mardin.
- Mardin Olgunlaşma Enstitüsü: On the main Street. Beautiful Building and nice views
- The Bazaar
- The Ulu camii (grand mosque) and the Latifiye Camii
- Mor Behnam Kırklar Kilisesi (The Forty Martyrs Church)
- St. Josef Church,
- Mardin Castle
What to buy in Mardin:
If you walk on the main street, you will see hundreds of shops. The main things you will find are: Jewellery Shops, Soap Shops, Dry Fruits and Nuts shops and much more. Some places to find nice items are:
- Kim Kim: 1.Cad.Cumhuriyet Meydanı No:423 Artuklu , Tel: (0482) 212 7742. They sell very nice Nuts (specially Almonds), coffee and more
- Kana Cafe Shop: Şar Mahallesi, Artuklu, Mardin/Mardin, Tel: 0535 313 4565. They sell nice coffee, dates and specially the famous Süryani Çöreği
- Babil: Şar Mah. 1.Cadde No:298 Artuklu, Tel: (0482) 213 5222. They sell very nice Nuts (specially Almonds), coffee and more. You can buy also online.
- Sadik Künefe: Yenişehir Mahallesi, SSK Caddesi Kardelen Sokak Samanyolu apartmanı 1/A, Artuklu. Known for its Künefe.
On the outskirts of Mardin:
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The Syriac Orthodox Monastery of Deir az-Za'faran.
Also known as "Saffron Monastery" due to the color of it stones. It lies some 5 km south-east of Mardin on top of a Hillside overlooking the upper mesopotamia. Founded in the 5th century, the monastery's main church dates from the 6th century. This Monastery is still one of the most important religion centres of Assyrian Church. At every hour there is a guided Tour (in Turkish only) that you have to join. Entrance fee: 10 TL (May 2019). There is also a big terrace and coffee shop where you can have something to drink or eat waiting for the next tour to begin. |
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Dara Mesopotamia Ruins and Cisterns:
Located In the Village of Oğuz, 30 Km Southeast of Mardin near the Syrian border. Very interesting place to visit. Dara was once of the most important cities in Mesopotamia. You can visit the main Dara ruins, but don't forget to drive around the the town, as there are many other places to visit like a Tomb, Bridges, the baptism Basin and more. Well known are also now the amazing cisterns, a must see! Open from 09:30 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:30. Closed on Mondays. Entrance free. If you want to drive with your own car, take route 955 to the south for 24 km, then turn east in Akıncı village. Otherwise, there are mini buses from Mardin to Oğuz daily or take a taxi. We highly recommend if possible to have your own vehicle and stop at all places you want to see. |
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Midyat, Mor Gabriel & Hasankeyf
In Midyat (about 65km east of Mardin)
Where to sleep and eat:
Kasr-i Nehroz Hotel: Tel: (0482) 4642525 in Midyat. Old house completely restored very nice! Very clean rooms, wireless everywhere and they have a nice restaurant where they also sell wine.
Çağdaş Et Lokantası: Gölcük Mah.Cizre Caddesi No:44 Midyat. Tel: (0482) 462 3334. If you want to have lunch in the city. Classical Turkish food
What to do and see:
A nice place to walk around, is around the Kasr-i Nehroz Hotel.
There are nine Syrian Orthodox churches in town.
What to see around Midyat:
a) Mor Gabriel:
Mor Gabriel is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world build in the 4th century. Open from 08:30-11:00 and 13:00-16:30. You will need to join a tour that leaves every half an hour to one hour ( only in Turkish), but the Monastry is really worth visiting.
It is situated 20km South-East of Midyat. (see picture). Tel: (0482) 213 7512.
Where to sleep and eat:
Kasr-i Nehroz Hotel: Tel: (0482) 4642525 in Midyat. Old house completely restored very nice! Very clean rooms, wireless everywhere and they have a nice restaurant where they also sell wine.
Çağdaş Et Lokantası: Gölcük Mah.Cizre Caddesi No:44 Midyat. Tel: (0482) 462 3334. If you want to have lunch in the city. Classical Turkish food
What to do and see:
A nice place to walk around, is around the Kasr-i Nehroz Hotel.
There are nine Syrian Orthodox churches in town.
What to see around Midyat:
a) Mor Gabriel:
Mor Gabriel is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monastery in the world build in the 4th century. Open from 08:30-11:00 and 13:00-16:30. You will need to join a tour that leaves every half an hour to one hour ( only in Turkish), but the Monastry is really worth visiting.
It is situated 20km South-East of Midyat. (see picture). Tel: (0482) 213 7512.
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b) Virgin Mary Church:
The church dates back to the 6th century and is situated 30km North-East of Midyat is the Anıtlı Village (on the way between Midyat und Hasankeyf. (Old name of the village is: Hah ( in Süryani). The two-storey square structure is from the 6th century, but the upper storey was only built in the 20th century, which is when the belltower was also added. Don't miss going there if you are in the area! |
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c) Hasankeyf:
40km north of Midyat there is Hasankeyf, an ancient town located along the Tigris River in the Batman province, a must-see if you are there. One day (soon) Hasankeyf will be flooded with the completion of the Ilisu Dam, so don’t miss visiting it while there. Places to see in Hasankeyf:
As of July 2012 the main citadel has been closed to public In May 2017: The tomb has been removed and has been put in the "New Hasankeyf", about 1km north of the old city where all the new Houses have been constructed for the people living there. The Book called " Hasankeyf" ( See picture), is a very nice small Book to have. You will find it in Hasankeyf where several people at the stands sell it. |
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