Province · Anatólia Oriental

Malatya

Malatya is the land of the apricot, with the Arslantepe site, a World Heritage Site, the Tohma River canyon in Darende, and an alternative, northern ascent to Mount Nemrut.

In the photo: Tohma River canyon, Darende

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Malatya

Malatya lies on a fertile plain of the upper Euphrates, surrounded by mountains, and is one of the world’s largest producers of dried apricots. The orchards blossom in early spring, and the city bazaar sells dried apricots of various kinds year-round.

About 7 km from the center, in Battalgazi, Arslantepe is a tell made of layers of overbuilt settlements, where some of the earliest forms of state emerged in the 4th millennium BCE. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2021, it has remains of a mud-brick palace, replicas of Neo-Hittite statues at the entrance and a visitor center; the original pieces are in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.

In Darende, to the west, the Tohma River runs through a canyon with paths along the water, and the Somuncu Baba complex receives religious visitors. The Malatya Archaeological Museum houses other finds from the region.

From the south of the province, a road climbs to Mount Nemrut on its northern side, with the final stretch on foot to the terraces. It is an alternative to the ascent from Kâhta in Adıyaman for those already in Malatya.

When to go

March and April are usually the flowering months in the apricot orchards; the harvest generally runs from June to August, peaking in July. May, June and September are good months for Arslantepe and Darende. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold. The ascent to Nemrut from the north is typically open from May to October.

Getting there

Malatya Airport (MLX) is about 30 km from the center and handles domestic flights. The city has a railway station and buses to Elazığ, Adıyaman, Sivas and Kahramanmaraş. Darende is about an hour and a half by road to the west.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Malatya

How to visit Arslantepe?

The site is located in the Orduzu neighborhood in Battalgazi, a few kilometers from the center, served by city buses and taxis. Allow two to three hours for the visitor center and the walk through the excavations. Check the opening hours before you go.

Can you climb Nemrut from Malatya?

Yes, via the northern side. The road reaches close to the summit, and the final stretch is on foot. Hotels and tour operators in the city organize departures; access is usually open from May to October, depending on snow.

When is apricot season in Malatya?

The trees typically flower in March and April, and the harvest runs from June to August, with the busiest time in July. Dried apricots are sold in the bazaar year-round.

How many days to allocate for Malatya?

One day for Arslantepe and the city, another for Darende. Those who go to Nemrut via the northern route should add an extra day.