63 · City guide
Şanlıurfa
City of Prophets and Göbeklitepe, the zero point of history
Şanlıurfa, known in antiquity as Edessa, is called the 'City of Prophets' because of narratives associating it with the prophets Abraham (İbrahim), Job (Eyyüp) and Jethro (Şuayb). In the city center, the sacred fish pools of Balıklıgöl, the cave where the Prophet Abraham is believed to have been born, the Halil-ür Rahman and Rızvaniye mosques, the two columns of the castle, the Gümrük Han and the covered bazaars stand side by side. The Archaeology and Mosaic Museum in Haleplibahçe, which tells the story of the Neolithic age with the standing stones of Göbeklitepe, is one of Turkey's largest museums. Göbeklitepe, 18 km northeast of the city, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018; Karahantepe, Soğmatar and Şuayb Şehri lie in the Tek Tek Mountains, and to the south is Harran with its beehive houses and Umayyad mosque. Halfeti on the Euphrates, partly submerged by the waters of the Birecik Dam, is the gateway to Rumkale by boat tour. Urfa cuisine, known for çiğ köfte (spiced bulgur balls) and mırra (bitter coffee) at sıra gecesi (traditional music night) gatherings, is also an important part of the trip.
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Practical information
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.- Note
- Some historic buildings affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes may be under repair; check the current status of museums and archaeological sites at muze.gov.tr; the Harran archaeological site and parts of Şanlıurfa Castle may be closed. Follow the dress codes at places of worship
- Climate
- Very hot, dry summers and mild winters; there is little shade at archaeological sites, so carry a hat and water
- Best time
- March–May and October–November; daytime temperatures in summer can exceed 40 °C
- Getting there
- Şanlıurfa GAP Airport is northeast of the city; motorway/road connections toward Gaziantep and Diyarbakır
- Getting around
- Balıklıgöl, the bazaars and the museums are within walking distance; a car or tour is needed for Göbeklitepe, Harran, Halfeti and the Tek Tek Mountains