Diyarbakir 26 Days Itinerary

📍 Itinerary Overview

A rich blend of UNESCO heritage, historic architecture, peaceful green escapes, and vibrant local life across a 2–3 day visit.

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🚩 Sightseeing Route
• Start at the City Walls & Citadel (Sur district) – walk along 5.8 km of basalt fortifications with 82 towers, built by Romans and Ottomans
• Visit the Great Mosque (Ulu Camii) – late 11th‑century Seljuk mosque, one of the oldest and most revered in Anatolia
• St. Giragos Armenian Church – the largest Armenian church in the Middle East, recently reopened after restoration
• Dicle Bridge – the 10‑arched “Ten‑Eyes” bridge over the Tigris, built in 1065
• Hevsel Gardens – green terraces feeding the city since ancient times, now part of the UNESCO cultural landscape alongside the city walls

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🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions
• Hasan Pasha Han – historic Ottoman caravanserai turned artisan cafés and shops, near the mosque
• Dengbêj House – experience traditional Kurdish oral storytelling in a restored old house center
• Optional day trip: Mardin—classic stone architecture, bazaars, Monasteries ~1 hour away

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🚇 Transportation
• Walkable historic center: Sur district is compact and best explored on foot.
• Local buses or taxis for venturing to Hevsel Gardens or areas beyond the walls.
• Mesopotamia Express: scenic train service from Ankara to Diyarbakır (returning in 2025); great comfort option and arrival in historic city center

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📷 Photo Spots
• Aerial or wall-level views along Diyarbakır Walls at sunset.
• Courtyard and stone carvings of Ulu Mosque.
• Reflections and arches over the Dicle Bridge spanning the Tigris.
• Verdant terraces of the Hevsel Gardens below the walls.

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🍜 Local Cuisine
• Sample kaburga (lamb ribs), ciğer kebabı (grilled liver), and local Kurdish specialties at traditional eateries in Sur or near Hasan Pasha Han.
• Visit bustling markets or cafés for Turkish coffee and watermelon, a local seasonal highlight .
Place: Ciğerci Xale Meheme, Sıtki Usta, Suluklu Han, Mahabad,