Mardin Travel Guide
#BeautifulCity #Mardin
Friends, if you haven't been to Mardin, you're truly missing out! A cradle of civilizations and cultures, Mardin is one of Southeastern Anatolia's most cherished cities, seemingly leaping right out of the pages of history. It's like a poetic city. The entire city exudes an authentic and utterly unique atmosphere.
Mardin is one of those cities where many different cultures have coexisted and continue to live together in harmony today. As you wander its narrow streets and explore the architecture of its houses, you're enveloped by its distinct ambiance, making you feel as though you are in a different universe. Especially the mosques, tombs, churches, and monasteries, each with their unique architectural and cultural features, are simply enchanting.
Perched atop a hill, Mardin is one of the oldest cities in Upper Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilizations. It has been home to numerous deep-rooted civilizations over the centuries. It was also a junction point for many significant trade routes, including the Silk Road.
It is believed that the first settlements in Mardin began around 4500 BC. From that time to this day, it has been ruled by various empires and states such as the Arameans, Syriacs, Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Arabs, Byzantines, and Seljuks. Eventually, it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and has reached the present day with the Republic of Turkey.
As you wander around Mardin, which has hosted so many different cultures, you can still see traces of each culture today, whether in the language, the food, or in the streets and architecture.
Getting to Mardin is quite easy. You can reach it comfortably either by road or air. There are many different accommodation options in Mardin. With increasing tourism potential in recent years, both the number and quality of accommodation facilities have improved. You can choose to stay in a city hotel in the city center or in a beautiful Mardin boutique hotel in the surrounding districts. Hotels in Mardin offer services all year round and have all the amenities you might need. Prices for hotels in Mardin are quite reasonable and do not fluctuate with the season. Depending on the quality and service of the hotel you choose, there is generally an option to suit every taste and budget.
One of the first things that will catch your eye as you walk the streets of Mardin are the Mardin houses and their architectural features. Especially the houses bearing traces of Syriac and Armenian architecture, made with cut stone craftsmanship. The beautiful appearance of these houses combines with the enchanting views of Islamic artifacts, mosques, and churches to create a truly unique panorama. This is why Mardin is often referred to as an open-air museum.
When you visit Mardin, you must also visit Mardin Castle, located on a hill overlooking the city. Mentioned in the works of Evliya Çelebi, the castle offers a beautiful view of the city. You can visit the Mardin Museum and the Church of the Forty Martyrs.
Take a break from your Mardin tour and make a side trip to its most famous district, Midyat. This place is a world unto itself. You should dedicate at least a day to explore Midyat and shop for souvenirs.
Midyat, like Mardin, has the look of a museum. Its narrow streets, stone houses, handicrafts, cuisine, and friendly people will surely charm you. The town's skyline is dominated by towering Syriac churches, which are quite intriguing. You should at least visit one of them inside. The Deyrulumur Monastery is another must-see place in the district.
You should also explore the market in Midyat. Famous for its silver craftsmanship, you can watch artisans at work and purchase these exquisite silvers. Midyat is also known for its unique products like gherkins and melons, which are worth tasting and perhaps buying. Don’t forget regional products like pistachios when visiting the area. You can also buy almond candy, roasted chickpeas, and walnut sausage.
There are numerous mosques, churches, monasteries, inns, and baths to visit in Mardin. Since it is located on the Silk Road, you will also come across historical caravanserais. Be sure to explore them. You can visit the place known as Sıtra Daviyya, which is said to bear the footprint of the Prophet Muhammad. You can visit Kasımpaşa Medresesi.
Within the boundaries of Mardin Oğuz Village, you can visit the ancient city of Dara. You must see the churches, cisterns, and the underground dungeon there. You will also encounter 6-7 cave houses nearby, with their unique visual structures that might catch your interest.
Every year in June, a Cherry Festival is held in Mardin. If your visit coincides with these dates, attending the festival could be a unique experience.
A visit to Mardin, one of Southeastern Turkey's most favored cities, will offer you an unforgettable vacation, especially if you are interested in history and culture. The coming days might be the perfect time for a visit to Mardin. Don’t forget to bring your camera or camcorder. Make sure to leave plenty of room in your suitcase, as you might want to buy everything you see. Enjoy your travels, everyone…
For hotels in Mardin, click here: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/mardin-hotels
We said it before! Mardin should be visited in spring and autumn. If you go during the spring months when the almond trees are blooming, your trips around the city turn into a visual feast, adding even more beauty to this magnificent city... When you go to Mardin, get lost in the old city with a camera in hand. Chat with the kids and the elderly, explore shop by shop... Don't be afraid, it will be an amazing experience... Do things you can't do everywhere else. Don’t be afraid of the fast-approaching donkeys, and don’t overlook the children's guiding services!
Visit the Syriac villages, learn about their past. Explore their churches, mosques, madrasahs. Climb to the dome of Kasımıye Medresesi, take wonderful photos of Mesopotamia. Definitely go to Purple Gabriel Monastery, say hello to Kuryakos Acar and have him show you around. Definitely go to Nusaybin Beyazsu, eat by the stream. Don’t forget to explore Hasankeyf and Midyat.
Everyone we met and talked to was very sweet. In Midyat, we sneezed in a street, which started a conversation that was hard to leave. In Midyat, we even ate liver wraps at a street vendor late at night with our young children. The merchants are incredibly polite. Even the taxi drivers are nice. It was a surprise to hear Deniz Tekin and Ceylan Ertem on the taxi radio. We rented a minibus from the airport to our hotel. We rented a minibus again for Midyat and Hasankeyf. Thanks here to Eyüp Bey, who guided us around Hasankeyf.
Well in Mardin;
1- What, where to eat, what to drink?
2- Where to go?
3- What to do?
4- What to buy?
What, where to eat and drink in Mardin?
You should definitely try the local dishes. Stuffed ribs, lamb arm with aluciye sauce, lamb tandoori, tirozi pickles, sembusek, stuffed meatballs and stuffed mumbar should be tasted.... Mardius Tarihi Konak is my favorite place to eat. You can find many local dishes in Cercis Murat Mansion. The dishes made of plum stew, cashew and lamb are quite different and delicious.
Bagdadi is another of the best restaurants, I recommend you try the stuffed ribs. At the end of the street you can eat kebab at Yusuf Usta, the prices are reasonable and very tasty. The pistachio kebab is very famous. Antik Sur Restaurant has great food (ask for the Mardin plate) and eat semmüsek. At Rido kebabon the main street you can eat kebab pulled on a skewer. A kebab made of meat minced with a cleaver and threaded on skewers. With a side of ayran! Credit cards are not accepted. Mumbar at Ebrar restaurant in the new town. Mardin's famous mırra coffee is very bitter but worth trying. Mardin cuisine is really special and varied. We ate at Bahar Restaurantin Midyat and it was excellent. Mardin's walnut sausages are very different. Your eyes, heart and palate will feast. If you want to eat meat bread, a specialty of Mardin, all the restaurants on Cumhuriyet Street make it. Completely handmade, blended with meat and various spices, it is put in the oven and then eaten with pleasure. The portions are the size of a lahmacun and 1 of them can easily fill you up. And it is so delicious...The taste of hormone-free meat is different, and the churned ayran served in a bowl with it. It makes you feel refreshed in the heat of Mardin. Şahreman Restaurant: An artisan restaurant serving local dishes. If you want to try Mardin Tabak, you can try sembusek, irok, meat bread, stuffed sour bread, Mardin stew, stuffed ribs and stuffed tripe together…
Cihan Lokantasi If you go to Midyat, the best place to eat is Cihan Lokantası. Mardin tandoori, lamb neck, lamb ribs and curtain pilaf are incredibly delicious. Be sure to try the semolina halva at the end. Artuklu Kahve: Here you can taste Mardin's special Dibek coffee. Or you can buy it and take it home. This place is also a dried fruit shop. You can also buy Mardin's delicious walnut sausages and blue almond candies called ghosts. These candies are also available with cinnamon and ginger.
Where to go and what to see in Mardin?
Cumhuriyet Street is the center of old Mardin and also known as the bazaar street, it is definitely a must-see. You can find many things on the street. The monastery of Deyrulzafran (a very beautiful Assyrian monastery), Kırklar Church, Great Mosque, Maturation Institute, Mardin Museum, Sabancı Museum, Dara Ancient City, Kasımiye and Zinciriye Madrasahs.
Especially at night, the view of the Mardin plain from Deyrülzefranwill stay in your memory for many years.
