Things to do in Mardin, Turkey – 18 attractions and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

What to see and do in Mardin, Turkey? High above the plains of Mesopotamia lies one of Turkey’s most fascinating cities – a place where honey-coloured limestone houses climb the mountainside and where church bells, calls to prayer and millennia of history come together. Historic caravanserais, Syriac Orthodox monasteries, lively bazaars and magical sunsets await.

Here are our top tips for things to do in Mardin – including attractions, dining experiences and a ready-made itinerary for 2–3 days.

Mardin

What are the best things to see and do in Mardin? First and foremost, we recommend:

• Stroll in the old town center
• Sample local delicacies and shop in the bazaar
• See the dizzying views of Mesopotamia
• Hang out at rooftop bars with amazing views
• Visit monasteries and other historical sights
• Take a trip to Midyat

18 things to see and do in Mardin

Here you will find tips on 18 things to see and do in Mardin, in southeastern Turkey.

1. Explore the Old Town of Mardin

The old town is the very heart of Mardin and feels almost like a living museum. Narrow alleys and steep stairs wind between stone houses, courtyards and small mosques.

Here you can slowly stroll around among cafes, craft shops and viewpoints with views over Mesopotamia. Many of the houses are built in the characteristic yellow limestone that makes the entire city almost glow in the evening sun.

2. Stroll through the bazaar and market

Mardin's bazaar is filled with spices, coffee, silver crafts and traditional soaps. Here you can stroll among small shops and enjoy the scents of cardamom and freshly baked bread. It is also a perfect place to buy handicrafts or gifts.

3. Photograph the old post office

The Old Post Office in Mardin is one of the city's most photogenic buildings, with its beautiful staircase and classical architecture. While it may not be a "tourist attraction" in the traditional sense, it is a place where many people stop to take photos or just enjoy the atmosphere.

4. Drink coffee and taste local delicacies

Mardin is known for its unique and flavorful coffee varieties. There are lots of different varieties and we were particularly fond of Kurdish coffee – absolutely delicious. You can also try various pastries, often flavored with pistachios.

5. Watch the sunset on a rooftop terrace

One of the most magical experiences in Mardin is to sit on a rooftop terrace as the sun sets over the plains. The landscape feels almost endless, and as the light turns the stone houses golden, you can see why so many photographers and artists are drawn here. Sit down for a Turkish coffee or tea, or enjoy a delicious multi-course dinner.

6. Experience food and dancing at Cercis Murat Konagi

One evening we had dinner at a restaurant called Cercis Murat Konagi. This evening offered more than ”just” eating dinner, we promise! First of all, we have to say that the food was really good – traditional dishes, but served in a slightly more modern and stylish way. The biggest experience, however, was the music and the dancing.

The whole evening was accompanied by drums and captivating singing. It all escalated when the main course was presented. Absolutely crazy, but also incredibly fun! This is an evening we will never forget!

7. Visit the Mardin Museum

Housed in a beautiful historic building, the Mardin Museum provides a good introduction to the region's long and complex history. It houses archaeological finds, ancient jewelry, mosaics, and artifacts from several different civilizations that have passed through the area over the millennia. The museum is also large enough for a short stop during the day.

8. See the Great Mosque of Mardin

Ulu Cami, the Great Mosque, is one of the city's most important religious buildings. Its minaret is visible from much of the city and the mosque is a fine example of the architecture that has characterized the region for centuries.

9. See Chaldean Catholic Church

Mardin is known for its religious diversity, and the Chaldean Catholic Church is a fine example of the city's Christian heritage. The church is considerably less touristy than many of the large monasteries, but for that reason the visit often feels more genuine and peaceful.

10. Discover Kasimiye Madrasa

Kasimiye Madrassa is one of Mardin's most impressive buildings. Built in the 15th century, this ancient Islamic school combines elegant architecture with stunning views of the plains below the city.

The water flowing through the yard symbolizes the course of life – from birth to death – making the place both beautiful and symbolic.

11. Visit Zinciriye Madrasa

Perched high above the city, Zinciriye Madrassa offers some of the best views of Mardin. The building was built in the 14th century and was used as a religious school and observatory.

12. Visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery

Deyrulzafaran Monastery, just outside Mardin, is one of the world's oldest Syriac Orthodox monasteries and one of the region's most important religious sites. The monastery was formerly used as the seat of the patriarch and dates back to the 5th century.

Here you can see old chapels, stone arches and courtyards that are still used by monks and visitors.

13. Take a trip to Midyat

Midyat is located about an hour from Mardin and is known for its beautiful stone houses and Syriac Orthodox culture. The town feels calmer than Mardin and is perfect for those who want to experience traditional crafts and local daily life. Many Turkish TV series are filmed here thanks to the well-preserved architecture.

READ MORE: Midyat in southeastern Turkey – TV series and a thousand-year history

14. Visit the Mor Gabriel Monastery

Mor Gabriel is one of the world's oldest still-active Syriac Orthodox monasteries and a very important site for the Christian minority in the region. The monastery is located in a beautiful landscape outside Midyat and offers a unique insight into the religious history of the area.

15. See Dara Ancient City

Dara Ancient City was once an important Roman border town near Persia. Today, you can wander among ruins, tombs, and remnants of city walls. It almost feels like a smaller and much less touristy version of Petra.

16. Explore the water cistern in Dara

One of the most fascinating parts of Dara is the enormous underground water system. The carved stone rooms and high vaults create an almost mystical atmosphere. It is difficult to understand how advanced the engineering was almost 1500 years ago.

17. Experience the Mardin Biennial

Mardin Biennial has become one of Turkey's most interesting art festivals, attracting artists from all over the world. Contemporary art is exhibited in historic buildings, old houses and monasteries, creating a fascinating contrast between old and new. If you visit Mardin during the biennial, the city takes on an extra creative and international atmosphere.

18. Buy local delicacies with you

Mardin is famous for spices, almonds, pistachios, Syrian wines and handmade soaps. Many also buy the local blue almond candy or spice blends to cook at home.

Where to eat in Mardin?

There is a lot of exciting food to discover in Mardin, where Turkish, Arabic and Syriac Orthodox influences meet. At the restaurants where we dined, the meal followed the same pattern every time:

• Meze dishes (Dishes such as hummus and babaganoush, bread and sometimes salad, vine leaf dolmas or small meat pies)
• Soup (Sometimes a soup followed between the meze dishes and the main course, for example with lentils or vegetables)
• Main course (Interestingly, we got pilaf, i.e. rice cooked in broth with lamb or beef each meal)
• Dessert (Different kinds of puddings)

Leyli Restaurant

We can definitely recommend the Leyli restaurant, which has a central location and fantastic views of the city's slopes.

Here we started with super delicious stir-fries along with bread, vine leaf dolma and minced meat pies. It was so plentiful and delicious that we didn't even order a main course.

Lolee Restaurant

We also had a nice visit to the Lolee restaurant, where you sit in a lovely historic setting with high arches. The food tasted excellent, as did the fruit drink that bears the restaurant's name.

Arura Restaurant

Arura Restaurant is a relatively new restaurant with a lovely setting, nice views and very good food. We ate a whole bunch of dishes here and everything was delicious. The best was the crispy beans served with nuts.

Where to stay in Mardin?

Best areas to live in and explore

• Old Town: Perfect for those who want to live amidst historic buildings, rooftop terraces and small cafes. From here you are close to many attractions and have fantastic views over the plains.
• New Mardin: More modern and more practical, with larger hotels, shopping and better access to transportation.
• Midyat: An exciting option if you want to experience the Syriac Orthodox culture and make excursions to the monasteries in the area.

We stayed at Kaya Ninova Hotel, which has a fantastic location in the heart of the old town. The hotel is housed in a traditional stone building with lots of character and also offers lovely views of the plains below the city.

We particularly appreciated the atmosphere, location and classic architecture, which made the stay feel very authentic. The breakfast buffet was nice because, at least for us, it felt a bit different and offered Middle Eastern dishes rather than international breakfast food.