From Istanbul: Göbekli Tepe & Mount Nemrut 1 or 2 Day Tour

This 2-day guided tour from Istanbul to Adıyaman explores the ancient sites of Mount Nemrut, Arsemia, Sanliurfa, and Göbekli Tepe, ideal for history and archaeology enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Hear the story of the Kingdom of Commagene.
• Discover the oldest known settlement.
• Explore the Ancient City of Arsemia.
• Visit Sanliurfa, known as the city of prophets.

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul to Adıyaman and Mount Nemrut

Transfer from your Istanbul hotel to the airport for your flight to Adıyaman. Upon arrival, start the Mount Nemrut tour with lunch at a local restaurant en route.

Karakus Tumulus
Visit the Karakuş Tumulus, a funerary monument from 30–20 BCE built for Queen Isias and princesses Antiochis and Aka I by Mithridates II. The monument is named after the eagle-topped column (“Karakuş” means “black bird”).

Cendere Bridge
See the Severan Bridge (Cendere Köprüsü), a late Roman stone bridge near ancient Arsameia, documented by archaeologists in 1883. It is located 55 km northeast of Adıyaman.

Arsemia Ancient City
Explore Arsemia, the summer residence of Commagene kings, featuring a large relief showing Heracles (or the Persian deity Artagnes) shaking hands with King Mithridates, plus the largest Greek inscription in Anatolia.

Mount Nemrut
Visit Mount Nemrut at 2,134 meters altitude, notable for its 1st century BC large statues surrounding a presumed royal tomb. Finish the day watching the sunset before returning to your hotel.

Day 2: Sanliurfa and Göbekli Tepe

After breakfast, explore Sanliurfa, a city occupied by diverse ancient civilizations. Visit the Urfa Archaeological Museum and the Aleppo Bahce Mosaic Museum, both housing artifacts from Harran and Göbekli Tepe.

See the cave believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, then stroll through the local covered bazaar. Enjoy a lunch featuring traditional kebabs.

Göbekli Tepe
Visit Göbekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest ritual complexes dated to 12,000 years ago, predating writing and pottery, challenging conventional views of early human history.

Balikligol
Visit Abraham’s Cave and the Pool of Prophet Abraham, said to be the place where Abraham was thrown into the fire by King Nemrud.

After the city tour, transfer to the airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. This concludes the tour.

Includes

• All airport transfers
• Domestic roundtrip flights
• Museum and site entry fees, including Nemrut Mountain National Park, Karakuş Tumulus, Arsemia Ancient City, Sanliurfa museums, Göbekli Tepe, and Balikligol
• 1-night accommodation
• Lunch on both days

Excludes

• Dinner
• Personal expenses

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Booking Tips

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection. The best time to visit is spring and autumn when temperatures are mild. Book in advance to secure flights and accommodation.