About Mardin
Mardin is built in tiers down a steep hillside, its stone houses looking out over the Mesopotamian plain as it stretches toward the horizon. Madrasas, mosques and mansions from the Artuqid, Akkoyunlu and Ottoman eras are carved from the soft, golden local limestone, giving the old town a warmth few places can match. Muslim and Syriac Christian communities, along with speakers of Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish, have shared these streets for centuries, and church bells still mingle with the call to prayer. Covered passages called abbaras, hidden courtyards and finely carved facades make Mardin a city to explore slowly on foot.
Most itineraries start with a half or full day in the old town, taking in the Zinciriye and Kasımiye madrasas, the Great Mosque, the bazaar and the Forty Martyrs Church. Outside town, Deyrulzafaran Monastery and the ancient city of Dara fit into a half-day trip, while Midyat and Hasankeyf make a full-day excursion. Give yourself two or three days and save at least one evening for watching the sun set over the plain from a terrace. TurTalebi lets you line up guided trips from local Mardin firms and pay securely by card.
Mardin Tours
Tours run by local firms in the area. Pick a date, see the price and book securely by card.
Tours Coming Soon
There are no tours live for this destination yet. Read the guide or browse all tours across Türkiye.
All ToursTop Things to See
Zinciriye Madrasa
This Artuqid-era madrasa is known for its stone domes and richly carved portal. From its upper terrace you look across the rooftops of the old town to the plain, one of Mardin's classic views.
Kasımiye Madrasa
Begun under the Artuqids and completed by the Akkoyunlu, this madrasa has a two-story arcaded courtyard and graceful arches. The water channel in its courtyard is said to symbolize the journey of life from birth to death.
Deyrulzafaran Monastery
Just east of the city, this monastery served as the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate for centuries and is still a place of worship. Visit quietly and respect the rules set by the community.
Ancient Dara
Founded as an East Roman frontier city southeast of Mardin, Dara is known for its rock-cut necropolis, enormous underground cisterns and water channels, an impressive feat of ancient engineering.
Mardin Bazaar and Old Town
The bazaar running parallel to the main street is lined with coppersmiths, saddlers and stalls selling dried fruit and almond sweets. Duck into the stepped side lanes to find abbaras and hidden courtyards.
Mesopotamian Plain Views
From terraces and madrasa courtyards, the plain stretches to the horizon, glowing at sunset and twinkling with lights after dark. Settle in with a glass of tea and watch the colors change.
Plan Your Trip
When to Go
The best times to visit are April and May, when the plain below turns green, and September to October, when the heat eases. Summer days are very hot, so walk the stone lanes in the morning and late afternoon and retreat to shady courtyards at midday. Winters are wetter, with occasional snow that makes the old town especially photogenic. Turkish holidays and long weekends bring big crowds, so book accommodation early for those dates.
Getting There
Mardin Airport lies south of the city and has regular flights from İstanbul and Ankara; the old town is about half an hour away by car. Diyarbakır Airport is an alternative, about an hour and a half's drive away. By road, Şanlıurfa is about two and a half hours to the west. The old town is best explored on foot, as its narrow lanes restrict traffic, while taxis or tour vehicles are easiest for Deyrulzafaran, Dara and Midyat.
Practical Tips
- The old town is steep and full of steps, so wear comfortable shoes and pace your walks with tea breaks.
- Cover shoulders and knees when visiting monasteries and mosques, and be mindful of prayer and service times.
- Head to the Zinciriye Madrasa terrace or another viewpoint well before sunset to secure a good spot.