Visiting Mardin City: Complete Tour Guide 2023

Mardin city is a historical city located in the Mardin Province, Turkey. Mardin city Turkey is one of the oldest inhabited areas in the world and a place where different cultures and religions have coexisted for centuries.

The Mardin population is 800k and Mardin city has very touristic parts on almost every corner. Mardin history and culture are waiting to be discovered by you! You should visit this one of the ancient Mesopotamia cities as soon as possible.

If you are wondering about Mardin meaning here is an aspect: Some people believe that this Mardin word came from Merida from the Roman period. On the other hand, it means “fortress” according to some sources.

Mardin city is home to many beautiful buildings and landmarks that are worth visiting. In this blog post, we will provide you with a complete tour guide for Mardin city including Midyat Mardin.

We will tell you about the top attractions and things to do in Mardin Turkey, stunning views for photographers, the history of Mardin, the best things to do, local cuisines, places to stay, hidden gems, souvenirs, buildings and landmarks, historical places, museums, and more!

Is Mardin worth visiting?

Turkey Mardin city is definitely worth visiting! This historical city and also Mardin tour guide has a lot to offer tourists. The architecture is beautiful, the food is delicious and there are many interesting places to see such as Mardin old city.

If you are planning a trip to Mardin city, be sure to read this blog post for a complete guide that includes Midyat Mardin. Explore everything that you’ll need to know with this Mardin blog.

Is Mardin safe to visit? (Is Mardin safe 2022?)

Mardin city is safe to visit in general. You should use common sense when traveling to any new place and be aware of your surroundings, but there is no need to worry about safety in Mardin city. Just in case, it is better to walk around touristy and well known places. You can discover all walk side distances with either a Mardin travel blog or Mardin walking tours.

You may find some Mardin free guide there but paid ones probably more extensive and trustable.

How do you get to Mardin Turkey?

Mardin is located in the southeast of Turkey and is a bit far from popular cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya. The easiest and most comfortable way to go to Mardin is to go by air.

Mardin airport is 20 km from the city center. You can also go to Mardin city center by bus or by car.

Click to see the buses going to Mardin from all over Turkey.

How to get from Istanbul to Mardin?

The distance between Istanbul and Mardin is 1472 km and the journey takes about 15 hours by car. You need to follow the Istanbul – Ankara – Adana – Mardin highway.

If you want to go to Mardin from Istanbul by plane, you can find a plane every day from Istanbul Airport(IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport(SAW) to Mardin(MQM). This journey will take 2 hours.

You can buy discounted flight tickets from Istanbul to Mardin with the code TP-369698.

How to get from Izmir to Mardin?

The distance between Izmir and Mardin is 1444 km and it takes around 16 hours and 30 minutes by car. A part of this road takes longer than the Istanbul – Mardin road because it is more curved. İzmir – Afyon – Konya – Adana – Mardin route is the shortest.

The journey from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Mardin Airport takes 2 hours. You can buy Izmir – Mardin flight tickets with the discount code TP-369698.

How to get from Antalya to Mardin?

The distance between Antalya and Mardin is 1152 km and it takes 13 hours and 30 minutes by car. Antalya – Konya – Adana – Mardin route is the easiest way to go from Antalya to Mardin.

If you want to go to Mardin by plane from Antalya, you should know that your plane will be connecting through Istanbul. Antalya flight via Istanbul will reach Mardin in 5 hours. Check out cheap tickets.

How to get from Cappadocia to Mardin?

The distance between Cappadocia and Mardin is 678 km and it takes 8 hours by car. If you want to go by plane, you have to go via Istanbul, but the waiting times are longer than on Antalya planes. If you want to go by plane, it takes about 8 hours.

How do you get mardin — How do you get to Mardin Turkey?

Getting around in the Mardin City

The best way to get around Mardin city is on foot. This will allow you to really take in all of the sights and sounds of this historical city. Walking tours in Mardin are very popular ways to discover the Mardin old town. Make sure that you’re wearing comfy sneakers and quick dry wrinkle-free travel clothes.

If you are tired, there are also taxis and dolmus (minibusses) that can take you around Mardin city.

How many days in Mardin?

It is better to visit Mardin for at least two days. There are many places to visit in Mardin that you can visit if you stay more than two days. If you are thinking about a South Eastern Turkey tour you will need at least 4-7 days.

Is Mardin safe for tourists?

Many people travel to Mardin, Turkey as individuals every year. Many of them still asking is Mardin Turkey safe. Mardin is a border city in southeastern Turkey, but it is very touristy. That makes Mardin safer than other border cities. Mardin city is a very popular destination for foreigners, too. So be careful, stay around popular places, and no worries.

If you have some doubts, you can visit Mardin with the groups or on tours anyways. Or you can read Is it Safe to Travel to Turkey in 2023?

Mardin Tour Guide

Well, you can join separate Mardin tours or South Eastern Turkey tours which include Mardin city. Also, you can find some freelancer city guides who will be your Mardin trip leader.

Either you can take the guided Mardin tours or you can explore Mardin city by yourself. It’s up to you. Mardin things to do are amazing in any case.

Mardin Weather

Mardin city has a Mediterranean climate which you don’t need to worry about but prepare your package proactively anyways. Summers in Mardin are usually hot and humid. Winter months, on the other hand, are relatively colder than the western cities of Turkey. The best time to travel is in spring. In other seasons, the weather may be a little more intense.

When is the best time to visit Mardin city?

The best time to visit Mardin City is in the spring or fall. The weather is mild and there are fewer tourists during these times of the year. Mardin weather April is fine with the not bothering sun. However, Mardin City can be visited all year round!

What should I pack for Mardin city?

Be sure to pack comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking in Mardin city. You should also pack a light jacket or sweater as the evenings can be cool, even in the summer. If you are wondering about the Mardin weather December month and you are visiting Mardin City during the winter, be sure to pack a warm coat!

Things to do in Mardin: Mardin Day Trips

If you are wondering about what are the best things to do in Mardin? Here are the highly recommended places in Mardin. This city is totally worth seeing! Besides, you should see the 9 places in the Mardin Unesco tentative list. The heritage of Turkey is richer than you think. There are many great things to do in Mardin city. Some of the top things to do include visiting the Mardin Museum, exploring the Old City, and checking out the Dara Ruins. For a complete list of things to do in Mardin city, be sure to read our blog post!

About Mardin Museum

Mardin Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Mardin city. The Mardin Museum is located in the Old City and has exhibits on the different cultures that have lived in Mardin over the years. There is also an exhibit on traditional Mardin crafts.

Mardin museum entrance fee and opening hours

Mardin museum is open every day and its working time is between 08:30 – 17:30. Mardin museum entrance fee is 25 Turkish Liras (1.40 Usd or Euro) per person. If you have a museum pass card, the first admission is free.

Deyrulzafaran Monastery (Mor Hananyo Monastery)

Deyrulzafaran Monastery is a beautiful historical site located just outside of Mardin City. The monastery was built in the 12th century and is still an active place of worship today. Visitors can tour the monastery grounds and even attend mass!

Deyrulzafaran Monastery is a church still stunningly made thousands of years ago. Be a witness to this amazing history of Syriac culture.

Deyrulzafaran Monastery entrance fee and opening hours

You can visit the Deyrulzafaran monastery between 09.30 – 11:45 and 13:30 – 16:30, as religious rites continue.

Deyrulzafaran monastery entrance fee is 15 TL per person (1 USD = 18 TL). Museum pass Turkey Card does not pass to Deyrulzafaran monastery.

deyrulzafaran manastiri — Deyrulzafaran Monastery – Mardin Turkey

Mardin Castle

Mardin Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mardin City. The castle is located on a hilltop and offers stunning views of the city below. Visitors can also explore the inside of the castle, which has been turned into a museum.

Mardin Castle entrance fee and opening hours

Entrance to the Mardin castle is free, but recently it has been closed to visitors due to restoration.

Dara Mesopotamia Ruins (Mardin what to see?)

One of the famous things to do in Mardin is to Dara Ruins! If you visit Mardin city, Dara Ruins must be on your bucket list. This ancient city is a very mystical place and offers stunning shoots for photographers!

Are there Mesopotamia ruins?

Yes, there are Mesopotamia ruins and Dara Ruins are one of them.

Where is ancient Dara?

The Dara Ruins are a ruined city located in the Mardin Province. Be ready to learn many things about this ancient history. Let’s get to know Dara ruins closer.

Who built the city of Dara?

The city was founded in the early Christian era and was inhabited by a number of different civilizations over the centuries. The city was abandoned in the 12th century and has been in ruins ever since. The Dara Ruins are a popular tourist destination and are one of the most visited archaeological sites in Turkey.

Dara Mesopotamia Ruins ticket prices and opening hours

Dara Mesopotamian Ruins admission is free. Working hours are from 09:30 in the morning to 18:30 in the evening.

Kasımiye Medresesi

Kasim Pasha Medrese is known as Kasımiye Medrese, which is a place that you should see while walking around in Mardin city.

Kasımiye Medresesi ticket prices and working hours

Kasımiye Madrasa is open to visitors between 08:00 – 17:00. Entry is free.

Sabanci City Museum

If you like modern museums where traditional details are exhibited, you should see the Sakıp Sabancı Kent Museum. You can see the objects and historical artifacts used by the people living in and around Mardin from the past to the present.

Sakip Sabanci Museum is open to visitors every day except Monday. Sakıp Sabancı city museum’s working hours are between 08:30 and 17:30 and the entrance fee is 20 Turkish Liras.

See Mardin Stone Houses

When you visit Old Mardin and see the old houses you’ll be surprised. Stunning atmosphere, excellent architecture, and worth seeing buildings. Houses in Mardin city will be an inspiration for you.

Mardin See Stone Houses — Mardin Stone Houses

What are some other popular tourist attractions in Mardin City?

Some other popular tourist attractions in Mardin city include the Grand Mosque, Zinciriye Madrasah, the Mardin Ethnography Museum (inside the Mardin Museum), and the Mardin Artuklu Palace. So you can honestly say yes to that question: Is Mardin worth visiting?

Mardin Food: Best Restaurants in Mardin

Mardin, Turkey traditions affect the foods and other cultural things for sure. Mardin food is incredibly rich and offers so many options for any kind of palate. If you are planning a Mesopotamia travel, make room for Mardin in your stomach!

Besides cultural and historical heritages, there is an amazing answer for what to do in Mardin question. The answer is eating. You should taste all famous local cuisines during your Mardin trip.

What are some local cuisines I should try in Mardin?

Some of the local cuisines you should try while in Mardin include kebabs, kofte (meatballs), baklava, and kadayif (sweet pastry). In particular, you can try stuffed lamb ribs. For a complete list of Mardin city restaurants, be sure to check out our blog post and TripAdvisor map for Mardin!

You must try the Assyrian wines in Mardin Midyat. The Shiluh wine brand is probably the best.

Shopping in Mardin: What is Mardin known for?

Assyrian wine, no doubt. Either as a drink or souvenir, it is a very unique idea to shop. While visiting Mardin you may not see so many places like the Mardin shopping mall. However, we added some shopping places to our TripAdvisor map for your needs. You can find so many souvenirs from various bazaar Mardin.

What are some souvenirs I can buy in Mardin?

Some souvenirs you can buy in Mardin city include hand-woven carpets, carved wooden boxes, and copper pots and pans. Silver, copper, soaps, and wines are very famous in Mardin city in Turkey as well. You can also buy Mardin-style baklava, which is a little different from the traditional baklava you find in other parts of Turkey.

Mardin City Nightlife

No higher expectations like on the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey but you can still find out something about nightlife in Mardin for sure. The city has only one disco inside. Some pubs have live folk songs if you are interested. In some Mardin hotels, you can find events at different times. In addition, you can join Sira Nights as a unique and traditional night event.

We pinned our travel map of the hotels with bars in Mardin for you.

Where should I stay when I visit Mardin?

The best hotels in Mardin are waiting for your booking! There are many great places to stay in Mardin city. Some of the top hotels include the Mardin Hilton Garden Inn, the Mardin Ramada Plaza, and more. For a complete list of Mardin city hotels, be sure to check out Mardin hotels.

Bonus: About Midyat Mardin

We separate Mardin city center(Mardin Artuklu) and Mardin Midyat because Midyat town is far from the center of Mardin city about one and a half hours. So, let’s discover Midyat Mardin apart from the Mardin city center.

Is Midyat safe?

Midyat is safe as Mardin and the rest of the southeastern cities of Turkey. You can view the Midyat Turkey map and make your travel plans.

How far is Midyat from Istanbul?

Midyat to Istanbul is about 20 hours by bus. You can use airways for the fastest transportation.

How is Midyat weather?

Midyat weather is nearly the same as Mardin city center. You don’t need to prepare in particular if you visit both.

Midyat Travel

Midyat is a town in Mardin Province, in southeastern Turkey. The town is located on the Marda Plain, on the east bank of the Midyat River. Midyat is known for its silver jewelry and traditional handicrafts.

Things to do in Midyat

Some of the top attractions in Midyat include the Silver Bazaar, the Red Church, and the Old Town. Midyat is also home to a number of traditional handicraft shops. If you’re looking for souvenirs, be sure to check out these shops! You can find anything from hand-woven carpets to carved wooden boxes.

Mor Gabriel Monastery

The Mor Gabriel Monastery (a.k.a. Deyrulumur Monastery) is a Syriac Orthodox monastery located in the Mardin Province. The monastery was founded in 397 and is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The monastery is home to a number of historical artifacts and is a popular tourist destination.

Mor Gabriel Monastery entrance fee and opening hours

Mor Gabriel Monastery is open daily and opening hours are from 09:00 to 11:30 and from 13:30 to 17:00. The entrance fee to the monastery is 15 TL.

Midyat Old City

Midyat Old City is an amazing historical site located in Mardin Midyat. Midyat Old City has a very impressive history. The city was founded in the early Christian era and has been inhabited by a number of different civilizations over the centuries. The Old City is filled with beautiful historical buildings, many of which have been turned into museums.

Midyat City Museum

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Midyat, be sure to visit the Midyat Archeological Museum. The museum is located in the Old City and houses a collection of artifacts from the various civilizations that have inhabited Midyat.

Virgin Mary Church

The Virgin Mary Church is a Syriac Orthodox church located in the Mardin Province. The church was built in the early Christian era and is one of the oldest churches in the world. The church is a popular tourist destination and is home to a number of historical artifacts.

Virgin Mary Church operates from 08:00 to 17:00 in winter and from 08:00 to 18:00 in summer, and the entrance fee is 15 TL per person.

Visit Beyazsu

Beyazsu is a natural place with water. If you want to enjoy nature then you should visit Beyazsu.

Movies and Tv Shows in Mardin

If you like Turkish cinematography, we can recommend some TV series, Netflix series, and movies that have been shot in Mardin, Turkey.

Let’s start with the famous one: The Gift. The Gift or Atiye is a Netflix series that has a short part in Mardin province. Probably you know this one already.

The second one “Hercai (Inconstant Love)” was performed on national channels but was also very popular in the world. Hercai was shooting in Midyat town but Midyat Hercai is not the only TV show in this mansion.

The famous “Sila Mansion” is the owner of another Turkish TV Series “Sila” You can remember that show with the famous actress and model Cansu Dere. Actually, this mansion is named “Sila Konagi” after this show. It is also known as Midyat Guest House Museum or Midyat Konuk Evi Müzesi. So it is a monument that you should visit if you have time during your Mardin trip.

Last but not least, there are one Turkish horror movies best is filmed in Mardin city. Büyü or Dark Spells was filmed in 2004 in Mardin’s Savur town. Savur is located northeast of Mardin which is close to the Batman Province.

Beyond a doubt, Büyü can find a good place for itself on the top 10 Turkish horror movies list. If you want to discover those places via cinematography, don’t ignore them. Highly recommended to watch!

FAQ About Mardin City and Midyat Town

How old is the city of Mardin Turkey?

Since B.C. 4500, Mardin Turkey has been a guest house for civilizations.

Is Mardin in Cappadocia?

No, Mardin is not in Cappadocia. Mardin is a province by itself. Cappadocia is a region in Turkey. They are almost nine hours’ distance by car.

What are some hidden gems in Mardin?

Some hidden gems in Mardin City include the Mardin coffeehouses, the Mevlevi Tekke (a Mevlevi dervish lodge), and the Mardin Stone House.

What are some historical places I can visit in Mardin?

Some historical places you can visit in Mardin City include the Mardin Archeological Museum, the Mardin Mosque, and the Mardin Citadel.

What are some of the best views for photographers in Mardin?

Some of the best views for photographers in Mardin City include the Mardin Citadel, the Grand Mosque, and the Dara Ruins.

What are some of the best things to do at night in Mardin?

Some of the best things to do at night in Mardin City include visiting the Mardin coffeehouses, exploring the Old City, and checking out the Mardin Stone House.

What are some travel tips for Mardin?

Some travel tips for Mardin City include carrying cash as many places do not accept credit cards, wearing comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking, and dressing conservatively as Mardin is a very traditional city.

Is Mardin Turkish or Kurdish?

Mardin consists of a mixture of several nations and cultures. There is no discrimination in Turkey’s cities.

Is Mardin Syrian?

Mardin province belongs to the Turkey Republic.

Is Midyat a Kurdish?

Midyat consists of a mixture of many nationalities, too. Most of them are Kurdish.

Where in Turkey is Midyat?

Midyat is a town in Mardin province which is a part of southeastern Turkey.

Does Midyat have snow?

Midyat may have snow during winter.

When was Mardin built?

Mardin was built in the 14th century.

How far is Mardin from Istanbul?

The distance between Istanbul and Mardin is 1472 km by road and takes 15 hours. If you want to go by plane, you can go to Mardin in 2 hours from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

What to see in Mardin?

There are many historical monuments worth seeing in Mardin. Virgin Mary Church, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, and Mardin City Museum are among them. In addition, Mardin is famous for its stone houses and even walking on the streets gives great pleasure.

Where is Mardin?

Mardin is a city with magnificent historical and cultural riches located in the southeastern region of Turkey.

Furthermore, you can reach our TripAdvisor map from here for the Mardin trip. We hope you enjoyed our complete guide to visiting Mardin city! If you have any other questions about visiting Mardin, be sure to leave a comment below. Safe travels!

Mardin City Pinterest — Save that pin for later.

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