Gobeklitepe Day Trip from Istanbul: Private Tour with Return Flights
Overview
Gobeklitepe Day Trip from Istanbul: Private Tour with Return Flights
Gobeklitepe is the oldest temple known anywhere, and a highlight for travellers who love history and archaeology. Its well-known T-shaped pillars show that social and religious life was already highly developed when they were raised.
Pools of Abraham, Mosaic Museum and Bazaar
The site gives hints of a world that existed before people began farming and living in settlements. After Gobeklitepe you see the Pools of Abraham, then the Cave of Abraham, the Sanliurfa Mosaic Museum and finally Edessa's old bazaar.
Back to Istanbul the Same Day
When the sightseeing is over, you take the flight back to Istanbul.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe and Old Urfa
A private van collects you from your hotel and drives you to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Sanliurfa.
On arrival, your private guide is waiting with a name sign, and you set off for the Gobeklitepe archaeological site. During the drive, the guide gives you background on the site and on the city of Urfa.
The day takes you to the oldest known temple on Earth, where digging is still under way, and to the museums that display what has been found. With your guide explaining each stop, you visit:
- The Gobeklitepe archaeological site
- The Pools of Abraham, then the Cave of Abraham (Ibrahim)
- Sanliurfa Mosaic Museum
- Edessa's old bazaar
When the tour ends, a transfer takes you to Sanliurfa Airport for the flight back to Istanbul. At Istanbul Airport our representative waits with a name sign and brings you to your hotel in a private van.
Our services end here. Thanks for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to see you again.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Domestic Flights (Economy Class)
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
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.
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Private day trip from Istanbul to Gobeklitepe: the key facts
On this private trip you fly from Istanbul to Sanliurfa and back in one day to see Gobeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple, and the old town of Urfa. A private van drives you to Istanbul Airport, and your private guide is waiting when you land. After Gobeklitepe you go on to the Pools of Abraham, the Cave of Abraham, the Sanliurfa Mosaic Museum and the bazaar, then fly home. The trip covers economy-class domestic flights, every transfer, the private guide and van, museum tickets and attraction fees. The price varies with your date and the size of your group, so we give it on request.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| How long | 1 day, from your hotel and back |
| Cost | Given on request, based on your date and group |
| Tour style | Private: your group and a local guide |
| Flights | Istanbul to Sanliurfa and back, economy class |
| What is covered | Private guide and van, airport transfers, museum tickets and attraction fees |
| What is extra | Meals and drinks, tips |
Is a day trip from Istanbul to Gobeklitepe possible?
It is, if you fly. Sanliurfa is a long way from Istanbul, but an early flight there and a flight back in the evening leave you the whole day for Gobeklitepe and the main sights of Urfa. Since the tour is private, the guide shapes the day around the times of your flights.
What makes Gobeklitepe so significant?
The huge T-shaped pillars at Gobeklitepe, carved with boars, foxes, birds and snakes, were put up by hunter-gatherers thousands of years before farming started and before Stonehenge. The site points to people coming together to build monuments before they lived in villages, and it has altered how archaeologists see the beginnings of religion and civilisation. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage Site.
What other sights are in Sanliurfa?
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Pools of Abraham | Holy pools full of carp, tied to the story of the prophet Abraham |
| Cave of Abraham | Where, by tradition, Abraham was born |
| Sanliurfa Mosaic Museum | Fine mosaics from the Roman era found in the region |
| Bazaar of Edessa | The city's old bazaar, full of character, from the days it was called Edessa |
Sanliurfa ranks among the world's oldest cities with continuous settlement, and Christians, Jews and Muslims all come here as pilgrims.
Which of our Gobeklitepe tours suits you?
| Tour from Istanbul | How it differs | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| This private day trip | Gobeklitepe and Sanliurfa in a single day | On request |
| Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe 2-day group tour | Also Mount Nemrut, with flights and lunches | $1,050 |
| Private Mount Nemrut and Gobeklitepe, 2 days | Private, also Mount Nemrut | On request |
| Nemrut, Gobeklitepe and Karahantepe, 3 days | Also Karahantepe and Harran | On request |
What is the best season for Gobeklitepe?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. Sanliurfa is extremely hot in summer, so go early in the day; in winter it is mild and calm.
What should you pack?
Take a hat, water and sunscreen, comfortable shoes, modest clothes for the religious sites (women should bring a scarf) and your passport or ID for the flights. Have some cash for lunch and for the bazaar.
How do I make a booking?
Use the form on this page or WhatsApp to tell us which date you prefer and how many of you are travelling. We look at the flight times and confirm the plan and the price in writing, and payment is due only once that confirmation arrives. For other ideas, browse our Gobeklitepe tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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