Şanlıurfa Travel Guıde

Known as the City of Prophets, Şanlıurfa differs from the cities we know not only with its deep-rooted history but also with its mystical atmosphere and food culture. The past of this Southeastern Anatolian city, which awaits its guests who are curious about discoveries, is still a mystery. The history we are talking about is so deep that the 12,000-year-old Göbeklitepe is the first temple and settlement on earth that has been identified so far.Karahantepe, which has just been excavated, took the world civilization adventure even further back last week. During the excavation week in September, a magnificent Neolithic sculpture was found, and this sculpture will give us clues to a lot of information.These lands, where pagan beliefs and Semitic and Aramaic cultures were born, have also been a center for today's divine beliefs. The story of the incredible miracle of King Abgar Ukkama V in Urhoy (Urfa), the first city blessed by Jesus Christ in history, should be read separately. It goes back to Prophet Abraham, Prophet Job, Prophet Elijah and Prophet Jacob.Don't take too short a time to visit Sanliurfa. As Turkey's largest Archaeology and Mosaic Museums trace the city's 12,000-year history, listen to the sounds of pungent spice shops, bazaars where old crafts are kept alive, the smiling faces of shopkeepers, pigeons with bells and hennaed necks fed in almost every house, the magic of Balıklıgöl, Harran and Göbeklitepe, which UNESCO immediately put on the World Heritage List.

Göbeklitepe

So what to do in Sanliurfa?

 Wander through the streets and knock on the doors of the palace-mansions behind the stone walls. The names of hundreds of stone mansions are endless. While the houses where you will see a picture of the Kaaba on their doors symbolize that someone inside is a pilgrim, do not be surprised by the beauty of the artwork henna you will see in the hands of women.

Among the places to visit in Şanlıurfa are Göbeklitepe, the symbol of the city, Karahantepe, Soğmatar Ancient City, Bazda Caves, Şuayp Ancient City, Harran, Neolithic period excavation sites such as Sefertepe, Sayburç, Urfa Castle, AynZeliha and the legend of the heartbreaking Balıklıgöl, The Prophet Eyüp's Maqam and Mosque, Rizvaniye Mosque, Mevlid-i Halil Complex, Halfeti, the land of black roses, Harran, an 8,000 year old city that is bursting with history and houses the first University in the world and the temple of the Moon Goddess Sîn and the Sun God Shamash.

Soğmatar Antik Kenti

If Harran is on your itinerary, get ready to meet the architectural remains of Mesopotamia dating back to 6000 BC and the 800-year-old Kümbet houses. These houses are cold in summer and warm in winter, and if you wonder what they are like inside, the Culture House organized by Harran Municipality is the prototype of these houses. When you see it, you say 'what lives there are'.  

Don't think that Halfeti is a place where 'I've been there and done that'. While traveling by boat in Halfeti, one of the 11 calm cities of our country, the sadness of Savaşan Village full of memories under the Birecik Dam will fall on your face.
Put the sadness aside... The sine qua non of Urfa is the sıra night. Enjoy the music, the words and the cigköft!

Buy isot from Urfa's spice shops. It is the flavor added by this spice that makes the raw meatballs and lahmacun you will eat in Urfa special Urfa. They call isot 'Şanlı Isot' and they even make its jam. When you see hot peppers and sun-dried tomato paste, we know you won't be able to resist and buy it.

Did you know that Şanlıurfa, not Gaziantep, is the place where pistachios grow the most in Turkey? Make room in your suitcase for the pistachios you will take back home. Copper coffee pots, fancy jewelry, walnut sausages, shawls, pouches and stone-embroidered souvenirs... Set a souvenir corner for these.

The local drink that you should not return without tasting is 'mırra'. It's a bit strong coffee, but it's good. But before coffee, sit at a nice Urfa table. Eggplant kebab, poppy kebab, Lebeni (buttermilk soup), lahmacun, bostana, pımpırım salad, roasted meat, ribs and of course cigköfte. Take days to try them all. But we suggest you start with the kebabs and, if there is room, finish with the dessert of şıllık. And a good accompaniment to the meal is coruk syrup or licorice sherbet.

Kümbet Evleri

So Which Food Places in Şanlıurfa

• Cevahir Han Restaurant (All Urfa Flavors, Sira Night)
• Ciğerci Aziz Usta Urfa (liver kebab)
• Dedecan Ocakbaşı Urfa (liver kebab, stuffed meatballs)
• Gulbaba Restaurant (eggplant kebab in Birecik)
• Çulcuoğlu Baklava and Restaurant (lahmacun)
• Altin Restaurant (all kinds of Urfa kebab, artisan restaurant)
• Gümrük Han (coffee, Kacak tea)
• Koprubasi Breakfast Hall (mixed breakfast)
• Zahter Breakfast Hall (mixed breakfast)
• Edessa Kadayıf Ahmet Usta (Kunefe)
• Baklavacı Badıllı Dedeoğlu, (Tray kadayif, cheese katmer dessert)
• Şanlı Miroğlu Kadayif and Billuriye (Baked kadayif and kunafeh)

Cevahir Han Restoran

Eating and Drinking Notes in Urfa:

• Local delicacies are generally better in shabby places, but we recommend Ciğerci Lütfi for Urfa, where both the flavor is at its peak and the decency of the place is at the same time. Located in Karaköprü, the place is really nice, it has indoor and outdoor areas, a playground for children, gazebos and everything you need.
• When you enter the bazaar from Balıklıgöl, you go up to Gümrükhan. The liver skewers, eggplant kebab and chicken skewers we ate at Paflar Ciğer near Gümrükhan were delicious. A few appetizers were served in the middle. All of them were delicious. The portions were also satisfying. Definitely recommend.
• Ciğerci Osman behind the Kapaklı Passage is also a good address for liver, heart and cubed meat. 
• Another recommendation for eggplant kebab is “Köse” in Haşimiye! Keep in mind that the service ends at 4pm.

Suggestions for a place to stay in Sanliurfa: Astarte Hotel

Astarte Hotel was my choice of accommodation for this fascinating journey. This is not just a hotel, but a place where history and architecture are intertwined. The fact that it is named after Astarte, the goddess of fertility, is one of the first details that draws you in. It serves in an old stone mansion that carries the memory of the city and blends the traces of the past with the comfort of today. Waking up among wooden beamed ceilings, stone walls and cross vaults is one of the most authentic ways to experience Urfa. The hotel has 14 rooms with double, triple and family room options, catering to every need. Each room is named with mythological inspirations. Mitras, Shira, Assyria, Bersin and Esman are the most preferred ones. These names take you on a journey through history even while you sleep.

For Accommodation Suggestions in Şanlıurfa, you can check our Şanlıurfa Hotels page.