Overview
Diyarbakır is the largest city in southeastern Turkey and sits on a basalt plateau above a bend in the Tigris River. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region, with a recorded history stretching back several millennia and layers of Assyrian, Armenian, Arab, Kurdish, and Ottoman heritage visible in its architecture and street life.
The city is perhaps best known for its massive black basalt city walls, which encircle the old town (Sur) for nearly six kilometres and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within those walls are ancient mosques, Syriac Christian churches, caravanserais, and narrow lanes where craftspeople still work in traditional trades.
Diyarbakır is the cultural and commercial centre of the region, and its large Kurdish population gives it a distinct character compared with western Turkish cities. Visitors who take the time to explore its historic core, sample its distinctive cuisine, and engage with its layered identity will find it one of the most thought-provoking cities in Turkey.
Before You Go
Visas
Entry requirements for Turkey vary by nationality. Do not rely on this guide for specific rules. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Turkish immigration authority website before travel.
Health
No specific vaccinations are required for Turkey, but routine immunisations should be up to date. Summers in Diyarbakır are extremely hot — often exceeding 40 °C — so heat precautions are essential if you travel between June and August. Tap water quality can vary; many residents use filtered or bottled water. Verify current health advisories with your national health authority before departure.
Travel Advisories
Southeastern Turkey, including Diyarbakır, has historically experienced periods of political tension. Check your government's current travel advisory before booking, and monitor updates closer to your travel date. Conditions change; do not rely on older assessments.
Money
ATMs are widely available in the city centre. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and many restaurants, but smaller shops, markets, and street vendors typically prefer cash. Exchange rates at official exchange offices (döviz bürosu) are generally better than at airport counters.
Getting There
By Air
Diyarbakır Airport (DIY) is located a few kilometres from the city centre and receives domestic flights from Istanbul, Ankara, and other major Turkish cities. Several Turkish carriers operate these routes. Verify current schedules and book in advance, particularly in summer and around public holidays.
By Bus
Long-distance coaches connect Diyarbakır to many Turkish cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa. The main bus terminal (otogar) is outside the city centre; minibuses and taxis connect it to the old town. Journey times from Istanbul by coach are very long — flying is generally more practical for travellers coming from the west.
By Rail
Train connections to Diyarbakır exist but are limited and significantly slower than flying. Verify current routes and schedules on the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) website before planning rail travel.
Getting Around
The historic walled city (Sur) is compact enough to explore largely on foot, though the lanes are uneven in places. Within the old city, walking is the most practical option for sightseeing.
City buses and minibuses (dolmuş) serve the wider urban area at low cost. Routes and fares should be verified locally on arrival. Taxis are available and relatively affordable by western European standards; agree on the fare or confirm the meter is running before setting off. Ride-hailing apps common in larger Turkish cities may have limited coverage here — verify locally.
For day trips to nearby sites such as Hasankeyf (now partially submerged following dam construction) or the Karacadağ region, renting a car or hiring a local guide with transport gives the most flexibility.
Things to See & Do
City Walls and Ramparts (Sur)
The UNESCO-listed basalt walls that encircle the old city are the defining landmark of Diyarbakır. Dating in their current form largely to the Roman and Byzantine periods, they are among the best-preserved city walls in the Middle East. Sections of the ramparts can be walked, offering views over the Tigris valley and the city.
Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque)
One of the oldest mosques in Anatolia, the Ulu Camii was originally a Byzantine church and retains architectural elements from multiple eras. It anchors the historic city centre and is an active place of worship — dress modestly and check appropriate visiting times.
Syriac Christian Heritage
Diyarbakır was historically home to a significant Syriac Christian community. The Church of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Kilisesi) is among the oldest functioning churches in the region and remains an important site for local Christians. Visitors are generally welcome outside of services.
Hevsel Gardens
Listed alongside the city walls as part of the UNESCO designation, the Hevsel Gardens are an ancient agricultural landscape along the Tigris below the walls. They have supplied the city with produce for millennia and offer a quiet contrast to the busy old town.
Artuqid-Era Architecture
The city contains several notable structures from the Artuqid dynasty (medieval Turkic rulers), including the Kasım Padişah Mosque with its distinctive striped stonework, and historic hans (caravanserais) now used as markets or cultural spaces.
Tigris River
The Tigris (Dicle in Turkish) curves around the southern edge of the walled city. Walking down to the riverbanks, particularly in the cooler evening hours, is a popular local activity.
Food & Drink
Diyarbakır has a distinct culinary identity rooted in southeastern Anatolian and Kurdish cooking traditions. The city is particularly famous for its watermelons, which are grown in the surrounding region and widely considered among the finest in Turkey.
What to Eat
- Kaburga dolması — slow-cooked stuffed lamb ribs, a local speciality
- Meftune — a slow-cooked stew of lamb, vegetables, and bulgur
- Ciğer kebabı — liver kebab, a common street and restaurant dish in the region
- Kurdish-style breakfast — generous spreads of cheese, olives, eggs, cream, and honey served at local breakfast houses
- Katmer — a thin, crispy pastry with sweet or savoury fillings
Where to Eat
The old city has numerous traditional restaurants and kebab houses in and around the historic hans. Restaurants around the central bazaar area serve local food at straightforward prices. Ask locally for current recommendations, as establishments change.
Drink
Tea (çay) is the ubiquitous social drink. Ayran (salted yoghurt drink) is common with meals. Turkey is a secular state with alcohol legally available, though in a conservative city like Diyarbakır, options are more limited than in Istanbul or Izmir — restaurants serving alcohol do exist but verify locally. Tap water: err on the side of bottled or filtered.
Shopping
The covered bazaar (çarşı) within the walled city is the main shopping area for both locals and visitors. Traditional copperware and metalwork are closely associated with Diyarbakır; the coppersmiths' quarter (Bakırcılar Çarşısı) still has working craftspeople producing handmade goods.
Locally produced kilims and woven textiles reflect regional Kurdish craft traditions and make for meaningful souvenirs. Dried herbs, spices, and local foodstuffs — including the famous watermelon seeds (çekirdek) — are widely available in the market.
Be aware that items of significant age or apparent archaeological origin cannot legally be exported from Turkey. Purchase handicrafts from reputable traders and retain receipts.
Practical Information
Emergency Numbers
Verify current Turkish emergency numbers locally or through your embassy. Widely-cited numbers include 112 for general emergencies, 155 for police, and 110 for fire — confirm these are current and applicable.
Connectivity
SIM cards from major Turkish operators are available at the airport and in the city. Turkey requires registration of foreign SIMs; bring your passport. Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and many cafés.
Electricity
Turkey uses Type F (Schuko) sockets at 230V / 50Hz. Bring an adaptor if your devices use a different plug type.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (eczane) are common in the city centre and can assist with minor ailments. A rotating duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) is open outside normal hours; listings are typically posted on pharmacy doors.
Postal Services and Banking
Post offices (PTT) and major bank branches with ATMs are available in the city centre. Verify hours locally.
Safety
Diyarbakır is a functioning city of over one million people where daily life proceeds normally for residents and most visitors. Petty crime such as bag-snatching exists as in any large city; standard urban precautions apply.
The city and the broader southeastern region have a history of political tensions related to the Kurdish-Turkish conflict. Protests and demonstrations can occur, sometimes with little warning, and have occasionally turned disruptive. It is prudent to avoid large gatherings if the political situation is uncertain, and to follow local news and your embassy's advice during your stay.
The Tigris riverbank areas and the old city walls are best explored during daylight. Check with your accommodation about any specific areas or times that are best avoided at the time of your visit.
Register your travel with your country's embassy or consular service if your government offers this facility. Keep digital and physical copies of important documents.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Diyarbakır is the largest predominantly Kurdish city in Turkey, and Kurdish cultural expression — music, language, food, and social customs — is central to daily life in the city. Visitors should approach this context with curiosity and respect rather than preconceptions.
The city is religiously conservative by Turkish standards. Modest dress is appropriate when visiting mosques, churches, and traditional neighbourhoods — this means covered shoulders and legs for both men and women, and head coverings for women entering places of worship. Remove shoes before entering mosques.
Greeting people with a few words in Turkish (or Kurdish if you learn a phrase) is warmly received. Hospitality is taken seriously; if invited for tea or a meal, accepting is considered polite. Ramadan is observed widely, and travellers should be mindful of eating and drinking in public during daylight hours in that period.
Nevruz (the Kurdish and Persian New Year, around 21 March) is a major celebration in Diyarbakır, marked with large public gatherings, music, and bonfires. It is a vivid time to visit if you plan well in advance, though the city becomes very busy.