Southeastern Anatolia: A Journey to a Different Turkey
Southeastern Anatolia is an incredible region in Turkey, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates Eastern culture and wants to discover a different side of Turkey. This region is vastly different from Istanbul, Antalya, and other popular tourist spots, making the journey unique. On this page, you’ll find a ready-made itinerary for the main cities of Southeastern Anatolia, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
Southeastern Anatolia
Southeastern Anatolia is located on the border with Syria and Iraq, consisting of nine provinces:
- Adıyaman
- Batman
- Diyarbakır
- Gaziantep
- Kilis
- Mardin
- Şanlıurfa
- Siirt
- Şırnak
Each province is worth visiting, but for foreign tourists, three are particularly interesting – Gaziantep, Sanlıurfa, and Mardin. By visiting the capitals of these regions, you’ll discover a new Turkey.
Turkey is a multicultural and multiethnic country, and this is especially evident in Southeastern Anatolia, where the population is primarily made up of Kurds (77.1%) and Arabs (10.1%). Ethnic Turks account for only about 8.9% of the population in this region. This mix of nations and cultures makes Southeastern Anatolia an incredibly colorful place that is definitely worth seeing at least once.
Traveling through Southeastern Anatolia
In Southeastern Anatolia, I visited three main cities – Gaziantep, Sanlıurfa, and Mardin. You can add Diyarbakır or Batman to your trip, but I believe it’s worth focusing on these three cities.
Gaziantep
Gaziantep is considered the gastronomic capital of Turkey. Dishes from Gaziantep have even made it onto the UNESCO list, and the quality is highly praised by locals. Some restaurants in Istanbul or other cities intentionally add “Gaziantep” or “Antep” to their names or dishes, as it is seen as a mark of quality.
I am always amazed that even a simple eatery in Gaziantep can surpass a good restaurant in Istanbul or Ankara in terms of food quality. Prices are much lower, and the presentation of dishes is quite different. In addition to the main dish, such as kebab or lahmacun, you’ll be served salads and other appetizers, some of which are even complimentary in some places.
The city was affected by the devastating earthquake in 2023. For example, the famous castle, dating back to the 13th century, was partially destroyed. However, this hasn’t diminished the city’s charm. Unique historical sites await you here.
Learn more about traveling to Gaziantep on this page: What to See and Do in Gaziantep: 10 Amazing Places
Sanlıurfa
Sanlıurfa is one of the oldest cities in the world that has survived to this day. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, Prophet Job, and Jesus Christ is said to have visited here.
Today, Sanlıurfa, or “Urfa” as it is sometimes called, is one of the most religious cities in the country, predominantly with a Muslim population. However, the historical intertwining of Christianity and Islam makes this city a truly unique place.
You can learn more about traveling to Şanlıurfa in this article: Discover Sanliurfa: 6 Essential Stops for Every Traveler
Mardin
Mardin is a true gem of the Middle East. Thanks to the careful preservation efforts by the Turkish government and UNESCO protection, Mardin feels like a city frozen in time. In Mardin, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t just out of Turkey, but out of the 21st century altogether. This is especially noticeable in the historic part of the city, where everything is either genuinely ancient or lovingly restored.
Mardin is located in a region known locally as the “Fertile Crescent” near the Mesopotamian plain. The city itself is partially situated on a mountain, offering breathtaking views from many vantage points. Some hotels, such as the Hilton Mardin, are located on the “edge” of the mountain, providing stunning views from their rooms.
Learn more about traveling to Mardin on this page: What to See in Mardin: 6 Top Things to Do
Travel Itinerary
It’s best to plan your Southeastern Anatolia itinerary in the following order:
- Gaziantep
- Şanlıurfa
- Mardin
Or in reverse order, starting with Mardin. These three cities are located next to each other, making it easy to travel between them by bus.
The travel time between Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa is about 2.5 hours. When choosing a bus, be sure to check the route it follows. Some buses take a longer route, which can extend the journey to about 4.5 hours.
The bus ride between Şanlıurfa and Mardin takes about 2.5-3 hours. Like the first bus, this route can also have longer trips due to a slightly different route with more stops.
You can buy bus tickets in advance through the obilet.com website or on the day of departure at the bus station:
You can easily bring a backpack and/or suitcase with you, as all bus tickets include baggage space.
FAQs
When preparing for a trip to Southeastern Anatolia, various questions may arise. Below you’ll find answers to the most common ones.
You can take a bus from Istanbul to Southeastern Anatolia, but it will take a long time and costs are comparable to flying:
Mode Travel Time Cost
Bus ~20 hours ~$20
Plane ~2 hours ~$35
By plane, you can easily reach either the start or end point of the route – Gaziantep or Mardin, and then travel through Southeastern Anatolia by bus.
Major Turkish carriers regularly fly to both Mardin and Gaziantep:
– Turkish Airlines
– AJet (formerly AnadoluJet)
– Pegasus
You can find a flight almost any day of the week, but for the best prices, it’s recommended to book in advance.
Southeastern Anatolia has a lot of sunny days throughout the year and little rainfall. Average data over the last 10 years:
Winter: +6°C
Spring: +19°C
Summer: +31°C
Autumn: +23°C
It can be quite cool in winter as parts of Southeastern Anatolia are located at high elevations.
July and August are the hottest months of the year. It can still be hot in September, so it’s best to plan your trip for May, early June, or the second half of September when the weather is still comfortable and there’s minimal risk of rain.
You can visit the region at any time of the year, including winter. But at any time of year, make sure to check if your hotel has air conditioning. In summer, it will help cool down, and in winter, it will keep you warm. Despite being located in the south, this region can get quite cold in winter, so heating is necessary.
Southeastern Anatolia is a side of Turkey you haven’t seen yet. Different eras, cultures, and peoples converge here. It’s worth visiting for those who have been to Turkey before and want to discover something new, as well as for anyone who loves Eastern culture or gastronomic tourism.
If you choose the right season, such as May, you can enjoy these amazing cities in comfortable conditions. However, you can visit at any time, as locals travel around the region year-round.
The relatively long distances, hot climate, and in some cases, numerous ups and downs, such as in Mardin, make this route less convenient for traveling with young children. However, you can still visit with children, as there’s something interesting in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, and Mardin for all ages.
