11 Day Turkey Southeastern Heritage Tour: Istanbul, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Harran, Mount Nemrut, Gaziantep, Tarsus, Adana & Antakya

After breakfast, meet your professional guide and begin exploring the magnificent city where Europe and Asia meet. Your first stop is the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, one of the world's greatest architectural masterpieces, followed by the elegant Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and beautiful İznik tiles.

Continue to the ancient Hippodrome, once the social and sporting center of the Byzantine Empire, where you will see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain.

Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries. Explore its impressive courtyards, imperial collections, and fascinating history.

The final stop is the legendary Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, featuring more than 4,000 shops selling carpets, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, spices, Turkish delights, and authentic handicrafts.

After the tour, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After an early breakfast, Early morning transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Mardin, one of Türkiye's most fascinating historical cities overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plains.

Upon arrival, meet your guide and begin exploring this extraordinary destination, renowned for its honey-colored limestone architecture and multicultural heritage.

Visit the magnificent Kasımiye Madrasa, a masterpiece of Artuqid architecture, followed by the historic Zinciriye Madrasa, offering spectacular panoramic views across Mesopotamia. Wander through Mardin's charming narrow streets lined with beautifully preserved stone mansions, artisan workshops, churches, mosques, and centuries-old bazaars that reflect the city's unique blend of Assyrian, Arab, Kurdish, and Turkish cultures.

You'll also have the opportunity to admire the impressive skyline of Mardin, where every building seems to blend seamlessly into the hillside.

After completing the tour, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Mardin.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Following breakfast, depart for Şanlıurfa, one of the world's oldest cities and an important center of religious history.

Upon arrival, visit the sacred Balıklıgöl (Pool of Abraham), where according to tradition Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by King Nimrod, only for the flames to transform into water and the burning logs into sacred fish.

Continue to the Cave of Abraham, Rızvaniye Mosque, and the lively traditional bazaar, where local craftsmen continue centuries-old traditions.

Later, explore the impressive Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, showcasing remarkable discoveries from Göbeklitepe and the surrounding region, followed by the unique Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum.

Enjoy the authentic atmosphere of southeastern Türkiye before checking into your hotel.

Overnight in Şanlıurfa.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, travel to the extraordinary archaeological site of Göbeklitepe, recognized as the oldest known temple complex in the world and dating back more than 11,000 years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has revolutionized our understanding of early civilization and is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times.

Continue to the legendary ancient city of Harran, mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran and famous for its distinctive mud-brick beehive houses.

Visit the remains of the Great Mosque, one of the earliest Islamic universities, Harran Castle, and the ancient city walls while learning about the city's remarkable role as an important center of astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy during the medieval Islamic Golden Age.

Return to Şanlıurfa in the afternoon. Overnight in Şanlıurfa.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, depart for Adıyaman and continue toward Mount Nemrut National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its monumental stone statues.

Along the scenic route, visit the beautifully preserved Cendere Roman Bridge, still standing after nearly two thousand years, the impressive Karakuş Tumulus, built as a royal burial monument, and the fascinating ruins of Arsameia, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Commagene.

Continue to the summit of Mount Nemrut, where colossal stone heads of ancient gods and King Antiochus I create one of the most unforgettable archaeological landscapes in the world. Standing at over 2,100 meters above sea level, the mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views and one of Türkiye's most iconic historical sites.

After exploring this remarkable UNESCO treasure, descend to your hotel. Overnight in Kâhta.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Following breakfast, travel to Gaziantep, internationally recognized as Türkiye's culinary capital and designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Visit the world-renowned Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to the spectacular "Gypsy Girl" mosaic and one of the world's largest collections of Roman mosaics recovered from the ancient city of Zeugma. Explore Gaziantep's historic old town, traditional bazaars, copper workshops, and spice markets before enjoying free time to sample authentic local specialties including the city's famous pistachio baklava. Later, continue to the ancient city of Tarsus, whose history stretches back more than 6,000 years. Overnight in Tarsus.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, begin discovering the remarkable historical treasures of Tarsus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and traditionally recognized as the birthplace of St. Paul.

Visit St. Paul's Well, the beautifully preserved Roman Road, the historic Cleopatra Gate, and other significant landmarks reflecting the city's rich Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage.

Continue to Adana, one of Türkiye's largest and most vibrant cities. Visit the magnificent Sabancı Central Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Middle East, admire the historic Stone Bridge (Taşköprü) dating back to Roman times, and enjoy a panoramic tour through the city's lively boulevards.

No visit to Adana would be complete without discovering the city that gave the world its famous Adana Kebab, one of Türkiye's most celebrated culinary traditions.

Overnight in Adana.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, drive to the legendary city of Antakya (Ancient Antioch), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the earliest centers of Christianity.

Visit the historic St. Peter's Church, believed to be one of the world's oldest Christian churches carved directly into the mountainside.

Continue to the remarkable Titus Tunnel, an extraordinary Roman engineering achievement excavated through solid rock nearly two thousand years ago to protect the ancient harbor from flooding.

Later, relax at the beautiful Daphne Waterfalls, famous since Roman times for their lush gardens, refreshing springs, and mythology associated with Apollo and Daphne.

After exploring Antakya's rich cultural heritage, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Antakya.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Following breakfast, visit the internationally acclaimed Hatay Archaeology Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics and artifacts reflecting the region's extraordinary multicultural history.

After the museum visit, return to Adana Airport for your afternoon domestic flight back to Istanbul.

Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy your final evening in Türkiye with free time for shopping, sightseeing, or simply relaxing.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out of your hotel. At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) for your international departure flight.

As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, take with you lasting memories of southeastern Türkiye's extraordinary archaeological treasures, ancient civilizations, breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and world-famous cuisine.

We hope to welcome you again on another TravelShopBooking adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

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