Diyarbakır Travel Guide

Diyarbakir is a cultural capital in Türkiye that is located on the banks of the Tigris River in the Southeastern Anatolia. The city, where many civilizations and cultures have lived in its history of nine thousand years, has the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, Diyarbakır Castle, and Hevsel Gardens, as well as the world's second-longest wall. The region, named after a nomadic tribe called Bek Bekir Vail en which settled in the region and called as the land of Bekir, was named as Diyarbakır.

Located in the middle of Southeastern Anatolia, the city is adjacent to important historical cities such as Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa and Mardin. This city, which has been a bridge between Anatolia and Mesopotamia, the oldest settlements of the world, is home to rich food culture and countless historical artifacts. The city also is famous for its watermelons and watermelon festivals.

General Information

How to Get to Diyarbakır

Cradle of history and culture, Diyarbakır is a city that attracts more and more tourists every year. Pegasus Airlines offers direct flights takes 2 hours from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Diyarbakır. Get ready for a wonderful holiday in this beautiful land with your Diyarbakır flight ticket.

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Transportation from Diyarbakır International Airport to City Center

Diyarbakır Airport is 7 kms from the city center. You can go to the city center from the airport by public transport, by taxi, by renting a car.

It is very easy to get to the city center from Diyarbakır Airport. Airport buses belonging to Diyarbakır Municipality serve according to flight times. The bus stop is located just outside the incoming passenger lounge at the airport. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the city center by bus. Buses with Z2 number is also another public transport from the airport to the city center.

There are also taxis at the airport that serve 24/7. The taxi stand is located just outside the door of the passenger lounge. Access to the city center by taxi takes about 12 min. This time may vary depending on work times and traffic situation.

 If you want to rent a car to travel in Diyarbakir, you can also benefit from Pegasus Airlines car rental service.

Public Transport in Diyarbakır

Diyarbakir is a city where you can walk to most places. Those who want to use public transportation can use municipal buses, and minibuses. There are also minibuses to the surrounding districts from the city center.

Buses and minibuses in Diyarbakır serve mostly during the day, so you can reach the detailed departure schedules for the city buses from the following link on the Municipality's website, available only in Turkish. Those who want to use the public transportation service can benefit from discounted transportation by taking the smart cards called DiyarKart. You can reach the list of DiyarKart sales points here.

Minibuses are another option that you can use for transportation in the city and to the surrounding districts. Minibuses to districts move from Diyarbakır district garage. You can go to the district garage by the H5 municipal bus passing through the Diyarbakır Courthouse. Click here to see the minibus departure times to the districts, available in Turkish.

Another transportation you can use in the city is taxis. Taxis are available 24 hours a day, unlike buses and minibuses.

Best Time to Visit Diyarbakır

Diyarbakır, which has a continental climate, is hot and dry with an average temperature of 31°C in summers and cold in winters with an average temperature of 1.8°C. Spring months and from September to early November are the best times of the year to visit Diyarbakir with favorable weather conditions and natural beauties brought by blooming vegetation. In these times when tourism peaks, you can find different activities in Diyarbakır and you can easily visit historical places in the city and the surrounding districts. If you want to discover all the beauties of Diyarbakir and have an unforgettable holiday in this historical city, we recommend that you stay at least 2-3 days in Diyarbakir.

Festivals in Diyarbakır

• Nowruz Celebrations (March)
• Diyarbakır Culture and Art Week (May)
• Diyarbakır Watermelon Festival (September)

Places to Visit in Diyarbakır

There are many historical monuments and buildings that you can visit in Diyarbakır, which has been home to many civilizations and cultures in its 9000 years of history. With the historic inns still in use today, the world's second-longest city walls and many other historical monuments, the city will take you on a journey through history.

Ulu Cami (the Great Mosque)

Ulu Camii, which dates back to the pagan period, was later rebuilt as a church by Christians. The place that Muslims converted into a mosque was an ancient place used as a place of worship throughout history. As it is one of the first mosques in Anatolia, it has an important place in Islamic history. The architectural structure and the reliefs on the door are worth seeing.

Behrem Pasha Mosque

The mosque is located in the south of the city around the Mardin Gate and was built in 1572. The mosque has a single dome and a single minaret. Behrem Pasha Mosque considered as one of the most important works of Mimar Sinan outside of Istanbul. The mosque draws attention with its complex architectural structure.

Mesudiye Medresesi

Mesudiye Madrasah, which joins the northern part of the Ulu Mosque, was built during the Artukoğulları period. The motifs and inscriptions in the madrasah make this place a valuable work of art. The madrasah, known as the first university in Anatolia, is one of the important historical monuments of Anatolia in Diyarbakır.

Malabadi Bridge

Malabadi Bridge is one of the most important works of the 12th century Seljuk period. It is the stone arch bridge which has the largest arch span in the world with its pointed main arch which is about 40 meters wide. This bridge, which played a major role in making the city an important trade destination, is one of the symbols of Diyarbakir.

Ziya Gökalp Museum

The house where Ziya Gökalp, an intellectual from Diyarbakır was born, was opened in 1956 as a museum. In addition to Ziya Gökalp's personal belongings, books and photographs, ethnographic works are exhibited in the museum. The house where the museum is located is among the most important civil architectural works of Diyarbakır.

City Walls and Gates

The Diyarbakır city walls, which are on UNESCO's World Heritage List, are the longest walls of the world after the great wall of China with a length of 6 km. The city walls and gates have been shaped by many civilizations and cultures in line with their needs in the history of 7000 years. Being one of the oldest and strongest structures in the world, the city walls have been the subject of many folk songs and legends throughout history.

Hevsel Gardens

Hevsel Gardens, located between the Tigris River and the historic city walls, have been used as an agricultural area by thirty different civilizations throughout its 8000 years of history and is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area, which is still open to public use, has cultural and historical importance as well as agricultural value. Hevsel Gardens, which you can easily see from the city walls, has a charming atmosphere with magnificent views.

Dengbej Evi (House of Dengbej)

Dengebej, is the name given to artists who sing songs called stran. Dengbej houses, where five of a total of twenty-eight Dengbej perform their art every day. Dengbej houses, where this culture is lived, are at the top of the cultural trips to be made in Diyarbakır.

Diyarbakır Archaeology Museum

Diyarbakır Archeology Museum is a museum where you can see the history and ethnographic structure of this city better. It contains many historical works from Prehistoric to the Ottoman period. The museum also exhibits important findings and discoveries related to the history of mankind during excavations in the surrounding area.

Sülüklü Inn

Sülüklü Inn has been one of the most remarkable inns in the city in recent years. It is named after the leeches that were pulled from the well by doctors and healers who used to be used for treatment. It is a peaceful environment for everyone who wants to drink coffee unique to Diyarbakır in an authentic environment.

Hasan Paşa Hanı

Located in Sur, one of the central districts of Diyarbakır, the inn is one of the most important monuments preserved since the 14th century. There are restaurants, breakfast places, and historic shops selling antiques in the inn. Preserving its historical texture, the inn has been the center of attention of domestic and foreign tourists today.

Where to Stay in Diyarbakır?

In Diyarbakır, where tourism develops day by day, there are many accommodation options from luxury hotels to boutique hotels and pensions. Luxury hotels in İnönü Boulevard can be preferred during your business trips to Diyarbakır. The street with large hotels like SV Business Hotel and Dedeman is also very close to the city center. If you have come to Diyarbakir for touristic purposes, we recommend you to stay in the historical places in the city center which have been converted into a hotel with restoration. Located in Sur, Buyuk Kervansaray Otel is among the preferred places. Boutique hotels at affordable prices or short term rental homes to suit your travel plan are another accommodation option.

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What to Eat in Diyarbakır?

Diyarbakır cuisine, where red meat, rice, butter, and bulgur is frequently used, is a rich cuisine that has exchanged flavors with many cultures throughout history. The city preserves its rich cuisine today and many famous restaurants and kebab places have been the center of local delicacies.

• Ciğer: Dağkapı Ciğercisi
• Fıstıklı ve Cevizli Kadayıf: Kadayıfçı Saim Usta
• Pilav üstü Tandır: Doğan Sofra Salonu
• Serpme Köy Kahvaltısı: Kadri Usta

Shopping in Diyarbakır: Best Souvenirs to Buy

There is a local shopping culture in Diyarbakır. Shopping centers are generally bazaars and local products are produced and sold in historical shops in the bazaars. Sipahi Bazaar is a colorful market where you can see the craftsmanship arts that the city has preserved until today. It is one of the shopping points worth seeing with its tobacco shops, carpet shops, and various local markets. Peynirciler Bazaar is a bazaar where you can find food and dairy products unique to Diyarbakır. Especially here you can buy the famous knitted cheese from Diyarbakır and you can find cheese varieties from the surrounding provinces and districts. You can find beautiful products of the famous goldsmiths of Diyarbakır in Kuyumcular Bazaar. You can buy carpets, rugs, handmade souvenirs, gold crafts, various dry foods, fruits, and vegetables specific to the city from these inns and bazaars.

Nightlife in Diyarbakır

Diyarbakır has a colorful nightlife at many points in the city center. For those looking for a lively nightlife, there are many bars and discos in hotels. Diyar Cafe, Yekbun Cafe, and Hayal Kahvesi Dİyarbakır are among the places where you can listen to music and have a drink. Also, if you want to spend a more cultural night, you can visit the Şark Evi at the Gazi Köşk. If you want to spend a quiet night, you can go to Diyarbakır-Sur Beylerbeyi Cafe Restaurant and have dinner with a view of the Tigris River.

Things to Know Before Visiting Diyarbakır

• It is recommended that you carry your passport or identity with you while you are walking around the city, because of possible police checks for safety.
• We recommend that visitors who visit the city in summer or winter prepare themselves for the harsh weather conditions of the region during these periods.
• Negotiating before getting into taxis shopping from the shops is highly recommended.
• Even though credit and debit cards are commonly accepted, it is recommended that those who go to the city inns to buy local products are advised to carry cash with them.

Essential Numbers

City Code: +90 412

Diyarbakır Airport: +90 412 233 27 19

Airport to City Center Transfer Bus: +90 412 229 48 80