Midyat in southeastern Turkey – where TV series meet a thousand years of history

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

In the heart of southeastern Turkey, where the plains of Mesopotamia meet limestone-clad hills, lies Midyat – a city that feels like a movie set even before you enter the old town.

Honey-colored stone houses, narrow alleys, Syriac Orthodox churches and rooftop terraces overlooking endless landscapes make Midyat one of the most fascinating places in the region around Mardin.

Midyat – just outside Mardin in southeastern Turkey

Midyat is located about an hour from Mardin by car, in southeastern Turkey, and it is common to visit the place as a day trip.

Midyat Old Town – a living historical backdrop

Many, especially tourists from other parts of Turkey, travel here to experience the atmosphere of the Old Town, but the city offers much more than that. There are ancient monasteries, underground cave systems, crafts that have been passed down for generations and restaurants where Mesopotamian cuisine takes center stage. Midyat is also well-known in Turkey (and beyond!) for the TV series and films that have been filmed here.

It is in the old town that Midyat really comes to life. Midyat Old Town consists of a network of narrow alleys, courtyards and traditional stone houses built in the characteristic limestone for which the region is famous. The architecture is strongly influenced by the Syriac Orthodox culture and many of the buildings are several hundred years old.

The best way to experience the area is simply to walk around without a map. Behind heavy wooden doors are often hidden small courtyards, cafes or workshops where local craftsmen work with silver, textiles and jewelry. Many houses are decorated with beautiful stone reliefs and arched windows, and from the roofs you get a view of the entire surrounding plain.

Midyat sometimes feels almost unreally photogenic – and we’re not the only ones who think so. Several popular Turkish TV series have been filmed here, including Sila, which made the city known to a wide audience in Turkey.

Even productions like Hercai and various historical drama series have used Midyat's stone palaces and alleys as filming locations. For many Turkish visitors, it is precisely the feeling of "stepping into a TV series" that attracts them here.

Midyat Guest House – the city’s most iconic viewpoint

One of the most well-known buildings in the old town is Midyat Guesthouse, often called Midyat Guest House. The large stone palace was originally built as a private residence but is today used as a tourist attraction and viewpoint.

When we were here, the flow of tourists (and the queue up the stairs!) was intense. It reminded us that places that may not be well-known tourist destinations in Sweden – can still be in other parts of the world.

The building has also been a central filming location for several Turkish drama series, making it an extra popular stop for both locals and tourists.

Once you have managed to queue up to the top, you are treated to a fantastic panoramic view of Midyat's rooftop landscape.

Midyat Caves – underground rooms from another time

In the past, people in Midyat lived in underground caves, which is not surprising – the caves provided perfect protection against both cold and heat. People have been living underground for a long, long time, and in some cases until relatively recently.

Today, no one lives in the caves anymore, although they can be used as storage, for example. Some of the caves are open to tourists, and it is interesting to see how people used to create underground dwellings in the past.

Sometimes the family got bigger – and then they simply carved out another room.

Mor Gabriel Monastery – one of the world's oldest Syriac Orthodox monasteries

About 30 minutes from Midyat is the Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the region's most important historical and religious monuments. Founded in 397, the monastery is considered one of the world's oldest still-active Syriac Orthodox monasteries.

Visiting Mor Gabriel is not only a cultural experience but also a journey through multiple layers of Middle Eastern history. Here Assyrian/Syrian tradition, Christian history and Mesopotamian cultural heritage meet in an environment that feels calm and serene – and at the same time monumental.

The monastery is still active and functions as both a religious center and a place of education. Visitors can see church rooms, courtyards, and old stone vaults, while occasionally hearing the sound of Christian mass.

We walked around with a very knowledgeable guide, who told us about both history and language. Fascinating!

A meal at Kasr-i Nehroz – with Mesopotamian flavors

After several hours among monasteries, alleys and historical sights, you naturally need to fill up on food. If you want to eat in the middle of the shopping streets, we have received a tip about Dewo Café, which offers both good food and a charming environment.

For our part, it was instead a multi-course meal at Kasr-i Nehroz, a boutique hotel housed in a traditional stone building, which also houses a well-regarded restaurant. Our meal began with salad and soup before we moved on to the main course of pilaf – rice with slow-cooked and very tender meat.

The meal ended with a sweet and creamy rice dish, which reminded us a bit of our Swedish Ris a la Malta. A very tasty meal in a pleasant environment!

Shopping in Midyat – silver, jewelry and wine

Midyat is also known for its traditional crafts. The most famous is telegraph – a detailed silver craft where thin silver threads are shaped into advanced patterns.

The technique has been used in the area for centuries and many of the town's small workshops sell handmade jewelry, bracelets and decorative items. We personally felt that we had a little too little time to shop, but several in our group found some great bargains!

Another local specialty is wine. The Syriac-Christian tradition in the area has a long history of wine production and several smaller producers sell local wines made from grapes from the Tur Abdin region.

When is the best time to visit Midyat?

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to travel to Midyat. Summers can be very hot, while winter months are sometimes chilly and rainy.

April–May and September–October usually offer perfect temperatures for strolling the old town and making excursions to the monasteries in the area.

That's why you don't want to miss Midyat

Midyat is a place where history still feels alive. Here, Syriac Orthodox culture, Mesopotamian food traditions and thousands of years of history coexist with modern ”streaming tourism”. But despite the large number of tourists here, the place still feels genuine – perfect as a day trip from Mardin.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Nearby, you will of course want to visit Mardin, which is the main town in the area. We can also recommend the Mardin Biennial, for those who like art. Do you want to see even more unique places in Turkey? Then we recommend Cappadocia!

• Things to see and do in Mardin
• Mardin Biennial
• Cappadocia in Turkey - attractions and experiences

This trip was a press trip arranged by Go Türkiye. All thoughts and opinions are as always our own!