Diyarbakir, on the banks of the Tigris in southeastern Turkey, is a city where Neolithic beginnings, Roman and Byzantine defences, early Islamic architecture and Ottoman elegance all sit within a short drive of each other. This four-day programme pairs one full day of guided sightseeing with a second day devoted to the regional kitchen, giving you both the monuments and the flavours that define the city. With three nights in the same hotel and transfers from Diyarbakir Airport arranged for you, the trip is easy to fit into a longer journey through southeastern Turkey or to enjoy as a short break on its own.
The sightseeing day opens at the Diyarbakir City Walls, a dark basalt ring around 5.5 kilometres long and 7 to 8 metres high, often called the longest defensive wall after the Great Wall of China and decorated with inscriptions and reliefs. Their origins are uncertain, but they were rebuilt under the Byzantine emperor Constantius in 349 AD. You then turn to Cayonu, near Ergani about 65 kilometres northwest of the city, one of the earliest known permanent settlements with a history of roughly 9,000 years. Back in the old town, the Great Mosque, revered as the fifth Harem-i Serif of Islam, began life as the church of Mar Toma and became a mosque in 639; it was restored under the Seljuk sultan Malik Shah in 1091 and again in 1240. The Behram Pasha Mosque, built by an Ottoman governor, impresses with its richly carved pulpit, and the Sheikh Matar Mosque, an Akkoyunlu work of 1500, is famous for its minaret standing on four slender stone columns.
On the third day a restaurant chef leads a hands-on cooking class while your guide explains the background of each recipe. Together you prepare a menu of local Diyarbakir dishes, influenced by wider Turkish cooking and rounded off with salads and desserts, and then sit down to eat the lunch you have made. Three breakfasts, one lunch, a professional English-speaking guide, entrance fees and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are included.
| Tour type | Private Β· multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Days 3 Nights |
| Price | From β¬833 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 7 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours Β· TΓRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day β click a day to see every stop.
Our team welcomes you at Diyarbakir Airport and drives you into the city, where you check in at your hotel. No activities are planned for the rest of the day, so you are free to rest or take a first look at the surroundings of the hotel at your own pace. Use the evening to recover from the journey before an early start tomorrow. Overnight in Diyarbakir.
Your guide meets you early after breakfast. First stop is the mighty basalt City Walls, some 5.5 km long and up to 8 m tall, adorned with inscriptions and reliefs and reconstructed in 349 AD under Byzantine rule. Next you learn about Cayonu near Ergani, a settlement of the polished stone age dating back about 9,000 years and among the first places where people lived permanently. In the old city you visit the Great Mosque, a former church converted in 639 and built of dark stone, with an elegant courtyard fountain. The Ottoman Behram Pasha Mosque with its ornate pulpit follows, and the day ends at the Sheikh Matar Mosque, whose minaret rests on four columns; local belief says a wish made while passing between them seven times comes true. Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Diyarbakir.
After breakfast you head to a local restaurant where the chef runs a cooking class for your group, with your guide on hand to explain ingredients and traditions. Step by step you prepare a lunch of dishes from Diyarbakir cuisine, which draws on the broader Turkish kitchen, together with salads and desserts. Once everything is ready, you enjoy the meal you cooked right there in the restaurant. Afterwards you return to the hotel and the rest of the day is yours. Overnight in Diyarbakir.
Enjoy breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Diyarbakir Airport for your homeward flight.
Diyarbakir β Diyarbakir, Ergani, Cayonu β Diyarbakir
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles β the same fleet we use on your tour.
π₯ 54 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
π₯ 55 Seats
π₯ 54 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 50 Seats
π₯ 46 Seats
π₯ 37+2 Seats
π₯ 37 Seats
π₯ 35 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 16+1 Seats
π₯ 12+1 Seats
π₯ 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route β Diyarbakir, Diyarbakir, Ergani, Cayonu.
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized β from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!