Göbeklitepe in the cool of the morning, the museum and Balıklıgöl at midday, and the beehive-domed houses of Harran in the afternoon.
25 min by car from Şanlıurfa · stay 90 min
T-shaped pillars with animal reliefs, erected about 11,000 years ago; among the oldest known monumental structures made by humans.
The site is exposed; go early in summer and bring a hat.
25 min by car · stay 90 min
Finds from the excavations at Göbeklitepe and the surrounding area; the Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum is next door.
10 min by taxi · stay 90 min
The area around the pool, the mosques and the covered bazaar; liver kebab for lunch.
Visits to the mosques pause during prayer times.
≈ 45 min by car · stay 90 min
Beehive-domed mud-brick houses, and the ruins of the ancient city and of one of the first Islamic universities.
≈ 2 h 15 min · fast ferry + bus · Day trip
Why here: The first Ottoman capital. The Green Mosque, the Grand Mosque and Koza Han make an easy day trip; we suggest it if you are staying in Istanbul for more than four days. Not part of this route.
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Source: Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı (1947–2026)
Source: Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı (1947–2026)
