Mardin & Midyat 3-Day Tour from Istanbul with Flights
Overview
Mardin & Midyat 3-Day Tour from Istanbul with Flights
Discover ancient Mesopotamia on this 3-day tour from Istanbul. You will walk the stone lanes of Mardin's UNESCO-listed Old City and see architectural masterpieces such as Kasimiye Madrasa and Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
Midyat Monasteries and Dara
In Midyat you will visit the 5th-century Mor Gabriel Monastery and the historic Assyrian guest houses, and taste the local cuisine the region is famous for. The tour ends with Dara Ancient City, Mor Behnam Church and Zinciriye Madrasa.
This short trip is ideal for travellers who want to experience the untouched cultures and deep history of southeastern Turkey.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mardin Old City Tour
We pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul and take you to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Mardin. Your private guide meets you on arrival at Mardin Airport.
The day begins at Kasimiye Madrasa, a 15th-century theological school from the Artuqid period. Next is Deyrulzafaran Monastery, also called Mor Hananyo Monastery and the seat of the Metropolitan of Mardin. The first church here was built in the 5th century AD, and the monastery took its present form in the 18th century.
Lunch is at an authentic restaurant where you can taste the local cuisine.
In the afternoon you visit Mardin Grand Mosque, a fine example of Artuqid architecture. The day ends with a walk through the narrow streets of the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, past stone houses and into the bazaar, where you will find traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
After the tour you are transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Mardin.
Day 2 - Midyat Tour
After breakfast your guide meets you and the day starts at the Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum, housed in a 19th-century army barracks, where artefacts tell the story of the city.
You then drive about an hour to Midyat, a district known for its attractive villages and monasteries. Midyat was an Assyrian village in the Ottoman period, and here you visit Midyat Guest House, a 19th-century Assyrian home.
After lunch in Midyat you continue to Mor Gabriel (Saint Gabriel) Monastery. Dating from the 5th century, it is one of the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries in the world.
After the tour you are transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Mardin.
Day 3 - Mardin Heritage Tour
After breakfast your guide meets you and you begin at the Museum of Mardin, whose collection traces the history of the city.
Next is Zinciriye Madrasa (Isa Bey Madrasa), a 14th-century Islamic school that continued to teach until the 1920s and the founding of the Republic.
Before lunch you visit Mor Behnam (Kirklar) Church, the Church of the 40 Martyrs. It dates from 569 and was built in honour of the Syriac Saint Behnam and his sister.
The tour ends at the famous Dara Ancient City, once the administrative and military base of Upper Mesopotamia and often called the Ephesus of Mesopotamia.
You are then transferred to Mardin Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Our representative meets you at the airport in Istanbul and takes you to your hotel.
This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you again.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Domestic Flights
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✓Accommodation
- ✕Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Mardin and Midyat 3-day tour from Istanbul: what you need to know
This private three-day tour flies you from Istanbul to Mardin, a honey-coloured stone city overlooking the Mesopotamian plain. You walk the lanes of Mardin's Old City, see the Kasimiye and Zinciriye madrasas and the Deyrulzafaran (Saffron) Monastery, visit Midyat with the 5th-century Mor Gabriel Monastery and its historic guest houses, and explore the ancient city of Dara. Domestic flights, accommodation, airport transfers, a private van and local guides are included. The price depends on your dates and group size, so we quote it on request.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Price | Quoted on request for your dates and group |
| Type | Private, with local guides |
| Route | Istanbul, Mardin, Midyat, Dara, Mardin, back to Istanbul |
| Included | Domestic flights, accommodation, airport transfers, private van, local guides |
| Not included | Items not listed above; ask us about meals and entrance fees |
Why visit Mardin?
Mardin is one of the most atmospheric cities in Turkey. Its old town climbs a hillside in terraces of carved stone houses, mosques, madrasas and churches, looking out over the vast plain towards Syria. Arab, Kurdish, Turkish and Assyrian (Syriac) cultures have lived side by side here for centuries, which you feel in the architecture, the food and the languages heard in the bazaar.
What does the 3-day itinerary include?
| Day | Programme |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Flight to Mardin; Mardin Old City, Grand Mosque, Kasimiye Madrasa, bazaar |
| Day 2 | Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum; Midyat, its guest houses and Mor Gabriel Monastery |
| Day 3 | Museum of Mardin, Zinciriye Madrasa, Mor Behnam Church, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Dara; flight to Istanbul |
What are Mor Gabriel and Deyrulzafaran?
They are two of the most important monasteries of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Gabriel, near Midyat, was founded in the 5th century and is one of the oldest functioning monasteries in the world. Deyrulzafaran, the Saffron Monastery near Mardin, was for centuries the seat of the Syriac patriarchs. Both are living places of worship, so modest dress and quiet behaviour are expected.
How does Mardin compare with other southeastern tours?
| Tour from Istanbul | Focus | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Stone city, madrasas and Syriac monasteries | On request |
| Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe group tour | Giant statues and the oldest temple | $1,050 |
| Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe | Prehistoric temples, Harran | On request |
| Ancient civilisations of southeastern Turkey | A 9-day journey through the region | On request |
What should you eat in Mardin?
The region is famous for its cuisine, from stuffed meat dishes and kebabs to desserts with almonds and pistachios. Ask your guide for a local restaurant with a terrace over the plain.
When is the best time to visit Mardin?
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is very hot on the Mesopotamian plain; winter is cool and quiet, with clear views.
What should you bring?
Comfortable shoes for steep stone lanes and steps, modest clothing for mosques, churches and monasteries, a hat and sunscreen, and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do you book?
Send us your preferred dates and the number of travellers through the form on this page or on WhatsApp. We confirm the price and plan in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Eastern Turkey tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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