Gaziantep, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a large industrial city whose fame comes from its food. It is part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network for gastronomy; Antep baklava has a geographical indication in the European Union, and pistachio appears in sweets, kebabs and coffees.

The Zeugma Mosaic Museum houses Roman floor mosaics from the city of Zeugma on the banks of the Euphrates, including the “Gypsy Girl” (Çingene Kızı). The site of Zeugma itself, in Belkıs near Nizip, has Roman houses with mosaics in situ under shelter.

In the centre, the hilltop castle opens views over the city, and around it are the coppersmiths’ bazaar (Bakırcılar Çarşısı), the Zincirli Bedesten and old caravanserais. The Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum tells the story of local dishes.

Outside the city, Rumkale sits on a cliff above the Euphrates and is usually seen by boat from Halfeti in Şanlıurfa. In İslahiye, Yesemek preserves an ancient open-air Hittite sculpture workshop, and Dülük to the north was a sanctuary on the route between Syria and Mesopotamia.

Destinations

1 destination in Gaziantep

1 city

Gaziantep

Cities

1 cities in Gaziantep in the guide

Gaziantep Capital

Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a city of gastronomy and museums in southeastern Anatolia. The Zeugma mosaics display the art of figurative floors; the Archaeological Museum gathers other objects from the region’s history. The old center lets you see commercial streets and traditional crafts.

When to go

March to May and October to November are usually the most pleasant months for walking around the centre. Summer is hot and dry; use the museums during the hottest hours. Winter is cool, with rain.

Getting there

Gaziantep Airport (GZT) is about 20 km from the centre and has flights to several Turkish cities. Zeugma is about 60 km away near Nizip, and Halfeti, from where boats depart for Rumkale, is just over an hour by road.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Gaziantep

How many days should you allow for Gaziantep?

Two days allow you to see the Zeugma museum, the historic centre and eat leisurely. With three, you can include Zeugma, Rumkale or Yesemek.

How do you visit Rumkale?

The most common way is by boat from Halfeti on the Birecik reservoir; tours pass Rumkale and the submerged village of Savaşan. There is also road access from the Gaziantep side with a final stretch on foot.

What to eat in Gaziantep besides baklava?

Katmer for breakfast with pistachio and cream; beyran, a meat and rice soup; yuvarlama, meat-and-rice balls in a yogurt broth; and kebabs with eggplant. Pistachio appears in almost everything.

Is it worth visiting ancient Zeugma in addition to the museum?

For those who like archaeology, yes: at the site there are Roman houses with mosaics in situ, under shelter, on the shore of the reservoir. The best-known mosaics, however, are in the city museum.

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