Mardin & Midyat Tour from Istanbul: 3 Days, Flights & Private Guide
Overview
Mardin & Midyat Tour from Istanbul: 3 Days, Flights & Private Guide
This three-day trip from Istanbul takes you to the old lands of Mesopotamia. In Mardin you walk the stone alleys of the Old City, listed by UNESCO, and visit landmark buildings, Kasimiye Madrasa and Deyrulzafaran Monastery among them.
Midyat, Mor Gabriel and Dara
Midyat brings the Mor Gabriel Monastery, founded in the 5th century, and the old Assyrian guest houses, along with a chance to try the food the region is known for. On the last day you see Dara Ancient City, Mor Behnam Church and Zinciriye Madrasa.
It is a short trip for travellers curious about the long history and little-changed cultures of southeastern Turkey.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Mardin and Old City Tour
We collect you from your Istanbul hotel and drive you to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Mardin. At Mardin Airport your private guide is waiting for you.
Your first stop is Kasimiye Madrasa, a theological school built in the 15th century under the Artuqids. You then visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery, also known as Mor Hananyo Monastery, where the Metropolitan of Mardin has his seat. Its first church dates to the 5th century AD; the monastery as you see it today took shape in the 18th century.
For lunch you stop at an authentic restaurant to try the local dishes.
The afternoon starts at Mardin Grand Mosque, a fine piece of Artuqid architecture. To end the day you stroll the narrow lanes of the Old City, which UNESCO lists as a World Heritage site. You pass stone houses and finish in the bazaar, a good place for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
A transfer then takes you to your hotel. Night in Mardin.
Day 2 – Mardin City Museum, Midyat and Mor Gabriel Monastery
Your guide meets you after breakfast. The first visit is the Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum, set in an army barracks from the 19th century, where the exhibits tell the city's story.
Next is a drive of about one hour to Midyat. The district is known for its pretty villages and monasteries. In Ottoman times Midyat was an Assyrian village. Here you see Midyat Guest House, an Assyrian house built in the 19th century.
Lunch is in Midyat, and afterwards you go on to Mor Gabriel (Saint Gabriel) Monastery. Dating back to the 5th century, it ranks among the oldest Syriac Orthodox monasteries still standing anywhere on earth.
A transfer then brings you back to your hotel. Night in Mardin.
Day 3 – Mardin Museum, Zinciriye Madrasa, Dara and Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast you meet your guide and start at the Museum of Mardin, where the collection follows the city's history.
Then comes Zinciriye Madrasa (Isa Bey Madrasa), an Islamic school of the 14th century that kept teaching until the 1920s, when the Republic was founded.
Before lunch you see Mor Behnam (Kirklar) Church, also called the Church of the 40 Martyrs. Built in 569, it was raised to honour Saint Behnam, a Syriac saint, and his sister.
The last stop is the well-known Dara Ancient City. It was once the administrative and military centre of Upper Mesopotamia, and people often call it the Ephesus of Mesopotamia.
Afterwards you transfer to Mardin Airport and fly back to Istanbul. At the Istanbul airport our representative meets you and drives you to your hotel.
Our service ends here. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back.
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
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
Three days in Mardin and Midyat from Istanbul: the essentials
On this private three-day trip you fly from Istanbul to Mardin, a city of honey-coloured stone above the Mesopotamian plain. You stroll through the streets of the Old City, see the Kasimiye and Zinciriye madrasas and the Deyrulzafaran (Saffron) Monastery, and go to Midyat for its historic guest houses and the Mor Gabriel Monastery from the 5th century. You also explore the ancient city of Dara. The price covers flights inside Turkey, your accommodation, airport transfers, a private van and local guides. Since the cost depends on your dates and the size of your group, we send you a quote on request.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Price | Quote on request for your dates and group |
| Type | Private, led by local guides |
| Route | Istanbul, Mardin, Midyat, Dara, Mardin, return to Istanbul |
| Included | Flights within Turkey, accommodation, airport transfers, private van, local guides |
| Not included | Anything not listed above; ask us about meals and entry fees |
What makes Mardin worth the trip?
Few Turkish cities have as much atmosphere as Mardin. The old town rises up a hill in layers of carved stone houses, mosques, madrasas and churches, facing the wide plain that stretches to Syria. Arab, Kurdish, Turkish and Assyrian (Syriac) communities have shared the city for hundreds of years. You notice it in the buildings, in the food and in the languages spoken in the bazaar.
What is on the 3-day programme?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Mardin; the Old City, Grand Mosque, Kasimiye Madrasa and the bazaar |
| Day 2 | Sakip Sabanci Mardin City Museum; Midyat with its guest houses and the Mor Gabriel Monastery |
| Day 3 | Museum of Mardin, Zinciriye Madrasa, Mor Behnam Church, Deyrulzafaran Monastery, Dara; fly back to Istanbul |
Why are Mor Gabriel and Deyrulzafaran important?
Both rank among the key monasteries of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Gabriel, close to Midyat, dates from the 5th century and is among the oldest monasteries still in use anywhere. Deyrulzafaran, the Saffron Monastery outside Mardin, served as the seat of the Syriac patriarchs for hundreds of years. People still worship at both, so dress modestly and keep your voice low.
How does Mardin compare with other tours of the southeast?
| Tour from Istanbul | Focus | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | A stone city, madrasas and Syriac monasteries | On request |
| Group tour to Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe | Huge statues and the world's oldest temple | $1,050 |
| Nemrut with Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe | Temples from prehistory, Harran | On request |
| Southeastern Turkey's ancient civilisations | A trip of 9 days across the region | On request |
Which dishes should you try in Mardin?
The local food is well known, from stuffed meat dishes and kebabs to sweets made with almonds and pistachios. Ask the guide to suggest a local restaurant with a terrace looking over the plain.
Which season is best for Mardin?
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summers on the Mesopotamian plain are very hot. Winters are cool and calm, and the views are clear.
What to pack?
Bring comfortable shoes for the steep stone streets and stairs, modest clothes for mosques, churches and monasteries, a hat, sunscreen and your passport for the flights inside Turkey.
How do you make a booking?
Tell us your dates and how many people are travelling, using the form on this page or WhatsApp. We confirm the price and the plan in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Looking for more? Browse our Eastern Turkey tours and our Turkey tour packages.
Similar tours
Mount Nemrut & Gobeklitepe Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights
Two days from Istanbul with round-trip flights: the stone heads of Mount Nemrut, the ancient temple of Gobeklitepe and a night in Sanliurfa, with guide, tickets and lunches.
Private Istanbul Tour with a Licensed Guide: 1, 2 or 3 Days
Book your own licensed guide in Istanbul for one, two or three days and explore the Old City, Golden Horn and Bosphorus at a pace that suits your interests.