Things to do & places to visit in Sanliurfa Province, Turkiye

Sanliurfa Province #12 destination in Turkiye 2023. The average rating score is 4.49 based on 4.262 traveler reviews, of 40 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Istanbul, current date and time: Thursday, May 09, 2024, 23:34.

Sanliurfa Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

83°F - 56°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

13%

Chance of rain

43.0 millimeters

Amount

11.9 mph

Wind speed

47%

Humidity

14.1

Daylight length

5:17 AM

Sunrise

7:25 PM

Sunset

67%

Cloud cover

T-shirt

What to wear

Top things to do (21)

Top destinations in Sanliurfa Province 11

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Sanliurfa Archeology and Mosaic Museum (370 reviews)
- A well laid out museum with many ancient artifacts.
Spent < 1 hour Art Museums • History Museums

If you are in Urfa and interested at all in history, this place is a must see. There are some of the best preserved artifacts from Gobekli Tepe, Karahan Tepe and other truly ancient sites. The museum is well planned and takes you on a journey through the ages, showing the different cultural periods, including the Bronze Age, and the Assyrian and Babylonian periods in nearby Harran. The sheer amount here is almost overwhelming, and for lovers of ancient history, it is a joy. The same ticket also gives entrance to the nearby mosaic museum. See more..
5.0 Sanliurfa Arkeoloji ve Mozaik Muzesi (84 reviews)
- Wow!
History Museums

If you visit both museums on the same day, you will only pay one price. It’s a great deal, so allow 3 hours. The Mosaic Museum is very well designed and maintained. It’s amazing how everything has been preserved and protected. I enjoy the glass walkway which allowed me to see the old road below. Thank you Turkey! See more..
5.0 Karahantepe (10 reviews)
- Must see
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas • Mysterious Sites

If must see. I liked Karahantepe better than Gobeklitepe. We hired a guide who took us to both sites and our time was amazing at Karahantepe. We were the only tourists there. There is a small visitors building with a restroom but that's about it. The actual site though has barely been unearthed and will be huge someday. See more..
5.0 Kızılkoyun Nekropolü (3 reviews)
- Shocked this is on 2nd TA page - one of best Urfa attractions
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries

I am really shocked this ancient Roman necropolis isn't in top 5 Urfa attractions on TA, but on the second page with no reviews. The necropolis is located beneath the old town hill. It's on the slope oriented towards the Mosaic museum (literally across the street from it) and you cannot miss it. There're more than hundred rock carved cave tombs dating back to Roman era. Best of all the site is totally free to visit with no entry fee. There's a tourist office right at the entrance and a kind employee even gave us a free private tour explaining the site. Totally recommend when heading to terrific Mosaic and Archeology museum across the street. See more..
5.0 Hayat Bin Kays El Harrani Turbe ve Camisi (3 reviews)
- Selatu selam olsun sana ya ehlibeyt
Religious Sites

Salemen selama el. Harrani inşallahu rahman birgün nasip olursa ziyaretinize geleceğim çok gelmek istiyorum nasip olmuyor sizi gördüğümden beri hep aklımdasınız elhamdülillah ki rabbim zatınızı görmeyi nasip etti bana her namazda dualarımdasınız inşallahu rahman benden elinizi çekmeyin
Salemen selama el. Harrani inşallahu rahman birgün nasip olursa ziyaretinize geleceğim çok gelmek istiyorum nasip olmuyor sizi gördüğümden beri hep aklımdasınız elhamdülillah ki rabbim zatınızı görmeyi nasip etti bana her namazda dualarımdasınız inşallahu rahman benden elinizi çekmeyin See more..
5.0 firfirlı mosque (2 reviews)
- apostles house
Architectural Buildings

Fırfırlı Mosque or Twelve Apostles(surp arakelots) Church The church of the 12 apostles or the mosque firfirli, located on the same street as the Salahaddin Eyyubi mosque, arouses admiration with its magnificent exterior architecture.the date of the first construction of the structure is unknown.the inscription is missing.it was used as a prison for a while during the republican period.among on local people reason why it is popularly called firfirli is because there was once a windmill at the top of the building.some sources say that this name was given because of some decorations belonging to the building.the main importance of the building is due to the fact that it houses the varak cross.It was brought from the varak(Varakavank ) monastery built in the city of van in the 11th century to the Twelve Apostles monastery in Edessa to host the crucifixion on which Jesus was crucified (1092).but over the next few years, these artifacts were stolen… the upper towers of the structure, built as a basilica with 3 naves, and the stonework on the western surface are magnificent.the building is built entirely of cut limestones.the middle nave is wider than the others.basalt stone was used in the domes and vaults.The parsonage cells (pastaforion) on both sides of the apse are made protruding from the building. I will continue to tell you about the historical and cultural artifacts that have remained hidden and unknown in the Mesopotamia region... greetings to the whole world from Mesopotamia.. See more..
5.0 Tek Tek Mountain (1 review)
- wonderful caves bigger caves
Spent More than 3 hours Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
If you look around the Harran valley, you do not see any stones on the valley floor. The stone was quarried from the edges of the valley and transported to Harran. The length of the walls and the buildings required a lot of stone, again quarried at the edge of the valley 10-20 miles away. If you look closely at the walls surrounding Harran, you will notice that the majority of the wall is constructed of earthen works, with only a relatively short stone wall at the top. This speaks to the value and scarcity of stone. Large caves lie 11 miles (18 km) northeast of Harran on a road named for the Han-e Barür Caravanserai, and have gradually come into being over the centuries as stone was quarried for construction in the cities of Harran and Şuayb. The largest of the caves in places has two levels, and is made up of long galleries and tunnels. See more..
4.5 Balikligol (1.120 reviews)
- The sacred Fish Lake - symbol of Urfa
Historic Sites

The TA headline pic is the most famous spot in Turkey's southeastern city of Urfa. A very interesting legend made it that - on this spot King Nemrut threw prophet Abraham in fire which miraculously turned into water (that's the lake today) saving his life. The burning wood fragments turned into fish, which are sacred now and you'll see hundreds of them and can even feed them buying fish food on nearby stalls. The place is a pilgrimage place and full of people both day and night. Two Mosques, one smaller above the lake fraction and one bigger aside are there, as well a Christian Church which was also converted into a Mosque. See more..
4.5 Potbelly Hill (858 reviews)
- Amazing Site, Must See Location
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks

I've been wanting to visit for many years but the security situation and then Covid19 had prevented my trip. When I finally arrived it was worth the wait. Travelled from London to Istanbul and then flew to Sanliurfa where we stayed. Bus from Urfa museum goes to Gobekli Tepe 3 times a day and as of May 2022 costs 13TL each way. On arrival the area was incredibly busy with coaches and cars all over the place but if you walk up to the monument it's far more peaceful. If you have the Turkiye museum pass you can skip the line and go straight to the site or into the visitor centre. Weekend was very busy but I understand that weekdays are quieter. Unfortunately with our flights it didn't work out for a weekday. Amazing site that's well worth visiting before it gets over developed. Hard to imagine that it's 7000 years older than Stonehenge. Also recommend visiting the Sanliurfa archaelogy museum where you can see a full size replica which really gives a sense of scale. See more..
4.5 Old Halfeti (308 reviews)
- Memorable Euphrates cruise for a bargain
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Halfeti is on the half way between Urfa to Gaziantep. We had a rented car throughout our entire 7 days southeastern Turkey tour, so Halfeti was on the list before the tour conclusion in Gaziantep. The motorway between Urfa and Gaziantep is in excellent condition, and Halfeti is some 30 min drive off it northbound. First, you will pass new Halfeti which is a new built modern town with nothing to see for tourists. Further 10 min drive takes you to old Halfeti on the Euphrates river. It's a small village with a big parking lot in the middle (couple of Euros flat rate all day fee). Just beside it is a cruising port with dozens of small ships docked. They depart every 20, 30 min. An hour and a half cruise costs, believe it or not, less than 3 Euros (50 TL). Ship cruises through beautiful scenery passing by Rumkale Byzantine fortress, making a stop by the sunken Mosque where's a 15 min coffee break. See more..
4.5 Cave of Abraham (302 reviews)
- A site believed to be the hiding place of Abraham
Caverns & Caves

Abraham is the traditional site of the birthplace of Abraham and it is here that he is said to have been hidden from the wicked King Nimrod. It is a place of worship, at the foot of the castle hill. It can be entered through the courtyard of the mosque, and is split into two sections for men and women. There are queues to enter, as it is a very small area and popular with many pilgrims. It doesn’t take too long to see however. See more..
4.5 Gumruk Han (268 reviews)
- menengiç coffee (pistacia coffee)
Historic Sites

It is the busiest inn among the old Urfa bazaars .It is known that it was built by Behram Pasha during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in the mid 16th century during the Ottoman period. It was named seventy han in the travel book of Evliya Çelebi. It is reported that it is a caravanserai, not an inn. Since 2 colored stones were used in the construction of the inn, it is known among the public as a Alaca han. It is the most magnificent and monumental inn of Şanlıurfa. The water of the lake with fish and plane trees passing through it make the inn even more beautiful. A tea or coffee you will drink here after visiting urfa bazaars will make you incredibly happy. See more..
4.5 Halil Ul Rahman Mosque (103 reviews)
- Big Mosque beside the prophet Abraham cave
Religious Sites

This is the dominating and biggest Mosque in Urfa. It's set beneath the Urfa castle in a beautiful park between the Balikligol sacred fish lake and Urfa bazaar. The Mosque seems newly built, probably during the 20c and you can enter it. Right beside it to the left is an older Mosque where's the prophet Abraham's cave where he was born. See more..
4.5 Rizvaniye Mosque (73 reviews)
- The Mosque by the Balikligol
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Rizvaniye Mosque is the one rising by the sacred fish lake Balikligol - Urfa's most visited site. The Mosque is very nice dominating the area, built in limestone blocks in 17c. You can enter it on the opposite side from the lake, where's also the adjoining Madrasah. See more..
4.5 Golbasi Park (52 reviews)
- Nice gardens
Parks

This is a lovely park recreating the story of Abraham being burned on a pyre by Nimrod, but God turned the fire to water, and the coals to fishes, and then Abraham flew through the air and landed in flowers. In fact what is , is a lovely park with trees, water and those "magic fishes"' where ordinary Kurdish Muslims go, both locals and loca pilgrims, to just relax with their families. It's a simple way to interact with local peoplehave a cup of tea, and just be some where, without rushing around "seeing things". See more..
4.5 St Job Tomb (35 reviews)
- Fantastic mosque
Cemeteries

We visited this place on our way to Göbekli Tepe. Our guide told us a lot of things. There is a holy cave which can be approached from outside and the mosque which is really worth a visit as it is amazing. You can also drink from holy water at the side walls and can see an ancient well which is charming. If you have some days in Urfa you should visit the place. See more..
4.5 Hz. Eyup Sabir Makami (33 reviews)
- Another Mosque with a prophet's cave
Religious Sites

Well, the most famous Mosque with its cave is in downtown Urfa, where prophet Abraham was born. This is another Mosque in the southern part of town, convenient to visit when going to the ancient city of Harran. The Mosque has two minarets, and a cave where prophet Hz. Eyup lived. Likewise the Abraham's you can also visit this cave for free. There's also a healing water spring within the Mosque premises See more..
4.5 Ataturk Dam (28 reviews)
- Amazing East
Dams

For most people touring in Turkey Cappadocia is the furthest easterly point, but this is not what Turkey is all about. The East has a lot to offer to travel enthusiasts. This is the land of two legendary rivers, Euphrates and Tigris, over the centuries they have supplied much needed water for the development of great human civilizations. Once you have made to Cappodocia you should not think twice to join a tour going to the east, or take a flight from Istanbul to Diyarbakir or to Sanliurfa. You will see amazing sites (Mt Nemrut, Gobekli Tepe, Hasankeyf and Mardin to name a few), and what is more rich culture. This will be one of your most memorable trips. See more..
4.5 Ayn Zeliha Golu (23 reviews)
- Nice pond and park by the Balikligol
Bodies of Water

This is a very nice park with a pond, adjacent to the holy fish lake of Balikligol. Park has many benches to rest with walking paths and small bridges over the canal. In the middle is a small pond dedicated to king Nimrud's daughter who was embarrassed with her father's deeds throwing prophet Abraham into the fire. Nice bar/restaurant by the lake to enjoy your drink with Urfa castle view above. See more..
4.5 Abraham's Path (19 reviews)
- Anatolia - April 2012
Historic Walking Areas • Hiking Trails

Welcome to Abraham’s Path! Join us on a journey that links history and myth to living cultures and communities: traverse the semi-arid steppes, discover ancient shrines, and trade stories with local host families. The Path in Urfa consists of 170km, charted through semi-arid plateaus under bright open skies. The path is tailored to each visitor’s needs: come alone or in a group, stay one day or ten, choose challenging treks or leisurely walks. See more..
4.5 Mutfak Muzesi (18 reviews)
- Original mansion turned into kitchen museum
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

An century old mansion with large rooms, courtyard, kitchen and storage rooms is turned into a kitchen museum. A part of the kitchen is equipped with modern gadgets to host culinary workshops. Which is nice because Sanliurfa cuisine is really rich and delicious. See more..
4.5 Urfa Kultur ve Sanat Merkezi (13 reviews)
- Interesting
History Museums

Small folk museum around a courtyard: a small shop has samples of local, mostly traditional textile work; carpet weaving, finger weaving embroidery, crochet etc. See more..
4.5 Ulu Cami (8 reviews)
- holly well
Religious Sites

Sanliurfa Grand Mosque, which is understood to have been built at the end of the 11th century from the inscription on it, has a large courtyard, it is a famous mosque with a madrasa dating from the Ayyubid period and a water well that remains inside the mosque.Sanliurfa city's only clock tower is above the minaret of this mosque.it is believed that the Holy handkerchief (mandylion) sent by Jesus to 5 abgara in the 1st century was thrown into the water well located in the mosque.local people believe that this water in the mosque is good for their patients.it was built as a red Church on a synagogue by the Monophysite priest rabulla, who lived in the 5th century after Jesus.the reason it is called Red is the red colored columns used in the construction of the church See more..
4.5 Karahan Tepe (3 reviews)
- As old as Gobekli Tepe but far less visited
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites

This site is much farther out from Urfa, but still accessible by car. There is a visitor centre, but nothing compared to what is there in Gobekli Tepe. The site is under excavation, but what has been found so far is amazing. There are multiple circles of megaliths, carved with the T-Shaped pillars, as well as pillars carved out of the rock. The site is much larger than is currently excavated and there is much more to be found, but the artworks that have been found here are wonderful, (and can be viewed in the Sanliurfa Archaeological Museum). See more..
4.5 Tarihi Hızmalı Koprusu (2 reviews)
- Recenlty renovated walk next to some bridges
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Bridges

The city counts many bridges and recently, a walk close to the bridges was made possible. Some nice and specific views of the town, close to the center. See more..
4.0 Castle of Urfa (191 reviews)
- Best Urfa views
Ancient Ruins • Castles

This place is temporarily closed See more..
4.0 Harran Ruins (140 reviews)
- Visiting ancient city
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

I visited Harran with my friends. It was super windy day. But we enjoyed walking in Harran University. After, we went to Harran beehive houses. I loved decoration inside of house. It was very cute. After, we had tea & took photos. Nice place to take photos :) I am happy to visit here :) See more..
4.0 Harran Sit Alani (99 reviews)
- Challenging but Worthwhile
Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins

I was a somewhat skeptical about Harran based on the comments regarding sleazy tour guides and begging children. Those criticisms are all valid. We lucked out because we met a college student who worked for tips. She spoke very good English and gave us a great tour over the course of 30-40 minutes. We toured a group of beehive buildings and she pointed out the university and some other sights in the distance. The short tour was very informative and made the visit worthwhile. There are a large number of beehive structures scattered throughout the town. I was a little surprised to see so many people living around them as I had expected an isolated site. After the tour we drove around some, did a quick look at the fortress and called it a day. I don’t view Harran as a must see destination but it’s worth visiting if you’re in the area and are lucky enough to find a good guide. See more..
4.0 Birecik Kelaynak Uretme Istasyonu (37 reviews)
- The unique Bald ibis conservation station on the world
Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas

The bald ibis birds live only on the shore of Euphrates river in Birecik,Turkey and on the Nil valley in Egypt. They migrate between these two areas. Their population has decreased to 60. Turkish government had decided to conserve them and built this farm . Their population has increased to 273 now. They are conserved in a large net during migration period and let free at their arrival time. These birds live as couples and when one of the couple die they never choose another partner. It was november when we visited this station and they were under the net near the calcite hill. See more..
4.0 Sumatar (Sogmatar) (9 reviews)
- Hidden history on the ancient silk road in Urfa
Ancient Ruins

The site of the ancient ''Sumatar'', a Sabian place of worship for the moon god Sin from about AD 150 to AD 200. See more..