Mardin is one of those cities where the architecture does most of the talking. Its old city cascades down a dramatic ridge of limestone, its houses carved from the same warm-toned stone, their elaborate facades and arcaded streets unlike anything else in Turkey. Below stretches the Mesopotamian plain — flat, vast and shimmering — all the way to Syria.
Here are the places worth building your visit around.
- Region
- Southeastern Turkey
- Best seasons
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Known for
- Stone architecture, Syriac heritage
- Don't miss
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery
The old city
Mardin’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage candidate — a labyrinth of vaulted lanes, ornate portals and rooftop terraces. The main street, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, threads through the bazaar past goldsmiths and spice merchants; the lanes above and below hide hammams, medresses and churches of the Syriac Christian community. Climb to the old citadel for the view over the plain.
Syriac monasteries
The Tur Abdin plateau around Mardin holds some of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, still used by their communities:
- Mor Hananyo (Deyrulzafaran) — 5km from Mardin, a Syriac Orthodox monastery in use since the 5th century, with a golden-stoned sanctuary and honey-smelling chapels.
- Mor Gabriel — Turkey’s oldest active monastery (397 CE), 80km southeast in the Tur Abdin hills.
Kasımiye Medrese
The 15th-century Kasımiye Medreseis Mardin’s finest Islamic building — a Artuqid theological school whose courtyard pool and carved stonework are among the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture. The rooftop terrace offers one of the best views of the plain.
Mardin cuisine
Mardin has one of Turkey’s most distinctive food cultures, drawing on Arab, Kurdish and Syriac traditions. Look for kaburga dolması (stuffed ribs),kitel (meat-filled bulgur dumplings), and the local wine made from mountain grapes. The bazaar is also famous for its spice blends and almond-based sweets.
Mardin in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Mardin
3The honey-stone old city and its vaulted lanes, Deyrulzafaran (Mor Hananyo) Monastery, the Kasımiye Medrese, the Mardin Museum and the rooftop view from the citadel over the Mesopotamian plain.
Mardin has an airport with daily flights from Istanbul (about 2 hours). Alternatively, fly to nearby Diyarbakır (closer flights) and travel by road. The drive from Diyarbakır takes about 1.5 hours.
Yes — Mardin city itself is safe and very welcoming to tourists. The southeastern region has significantly calmed in recent years and the city receives many domestic and international visitors.