Trip to Mardin, Turkey: how to get there, how many days and when to go

Mardin – Mardin Destination Mardin and Diyarbakır Capital

How to get there

Mardin Havalimanı (MQM) Kızıltepe · 20 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Arrive via MQM airport and continue by road to the city. Coordinate your arrival with your accommodation, because the streets of the old core may require a walk with luggage.

How many days

Two days for the urban core and Deyrulzafaran; add one more day for Dara at a relaxed pace.

When to go

In Mardin, April, May, September and October generally favor using the stairs and hillside streets. From June to August the heat is intense; from December to March, cold days call for alternating indoor and outdoor outings.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

In Mardin, walk around the old town. A driver, transfer or car will cover visits outside the core.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Mardin

Morning
Eski Mardin
Walk through a section of Mardin's houses starting from the main avenue, alternating observations of the façades with pauses on the stairways.
Afternoon
Deyrulzafaran Manastırı
Reserve the afternoon for Deyrulzafaran Manastırı. One to one and a half hours in the complex, plus transport.
Late afternoon
Landscape and streets of Mardin
Return to Mardin's core with time to observe the streets and landscape, without adding a long transfer at the end of the outing.
Evening
Overnight in Mardin
Dine in the area where you are staying in Mardin and confirm transport for the next leg.

2 days in Mardin

Day 1

Morning
Eski Mardin
Over two days, use the first morning in Mardin's old streets to study the stonework and the arrangement of the houses on the hillside.
Afternoon
Kasımiye courtyard
Head to the Kasımiye sector to take in the courtyard and the madrasa's opening toward the plain, leaving the monastery for the second day.
Late afternoon
Landscape and streets of Mardin
On returning from the southwest sector, choose a short section of Mardin's old core to observe the volumes in different light.
Evening
Overnight in Mardin
Use the first night based in Mardin to arrange the road departure to Dara and the visitor reception at Deyrulzafaran.

Day 2

Morning
Dara and Deyrulzafaran
Use a second day with combined transport for Dara and Deyrulzafaran, respecting the monastery's visiting hours.
Afternoon
Conclusion of the outing and return to Mardin
Complete the planned visits for this leg and return to your base in Mardin with organized transport, avoiding another long outing at the end of the day.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Mardin easy to explore on foot?

The old town requires walking, but its stairs and slopes make the route more demanding than a short distance would suggest. Divide the day into sectors and use transport to leave the historic core.

Are Dara and Deyrulzafaran in Mardin's centre?

They are visits outside the old houses, reached by road. Arrange a specific excursion or hire transport that includes both, allowing time for each site.

Where to stay in Mardin to see the stone houses?

The old part brings streets, terraces and historic buildings close together. The modern area offers different arrival logistics, but requires a transfer to the main walking circuit.

Can you visit Mardin, Midyat and Diyarbakır in one day?

The three cities require road transfers and have their own itineraries. Plan separate stages, especially if you intend to enter the monasteries and visit Diyarbakır’s city walls.

Your trip to Mardin.