Here’s a of the main locations in Şanlıurfa.
Balıklıgöl (Fish Pool)
The city’s main attraction, and a wonderful oasis of cool shade with the sound of flowing water.
Abraham’s Birth Cave
Local legend has it that the Patriarch Abraham (İbrahim Peygamber) was born in this cave near the Balıklıgöl.
Fortress (Kale, Hisar)
Climb up to this dramatic promontory towering above the Balıklıgöl in 10 minutes and enjoy the best panorama of Urfa.
Covered Market Bazaars
Like old-time Turkey, with artisans still plying their trades, everything and anything for sale, right near the balıklıgöl.
Haleplibahçe Museum Complex
Şanlıurfa’s vast new ultra-modern museum complex covers 200,000 square meters (50 acres) and boasts 1500 square meters (1794 square yards) of breathtaking Roman mosaics, dioramas portraying the lives of men and women at the dawn of human culture, a replica of the world’s first temple complex of Göbeklitepe, and other priceless artifacts from the incredibly long and deep past of this Mesopotamian region.
Eyyüp Peygamber Makamı
Worthy for Muslim pilgrims, of less interest to others.
Excursion to Göbekli Tepe
The world’s oldest known temples are only 17 km (10.6 miles) northeast of Şanlıurfa. A visit to this region is not complete without a visit to Göbekli Tepe. More…
Excursion to Harran
Not as exciting as it once was, but a good goal for an excursion into the southeastern Turkish countryside. More…
—by Tom Brosnahan
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