Let’s explore the lost civilizations of Anatolia with our 2-Day Gobeklitepe and Harran Tour from Istanbul By Plane. The ancient site of Gobeklitepe takes you back more than 12,000 years to the dawn of human civilization. Recognized as the world’s oldest known temple, its towering T-shaped pillars decorated with carvings of animals and sacred symbols reveal a place of ritual and community long before the pyramids or Stonehenge. Not far away lies Harran, a city founded nearly 4,000 years ago, once devoted to the moon god Sin and mentioned in the Bible as the home of Abraham. Over the centuries, it became a center of culture, trade, and learning, home to the world’s first Islamic university and influenced by Babylonian, Macedonian, and Roman empires. Together, Gobeklitepe and Harran open a window into humanity’s earliest stories of faith, knowledge, and civilization.
Day 1: Gobeklitepe – Sanliurfa Tour
- We will pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul for a two-day Gobeklitepe and Harran Tour. Then, we will drive you to the airport for your flight to Sanlıurfa GAP Airport.
- Once we arrive, we’ll head straight to Gobeklitepe, where you can see the ancient stone pillars and dive into the fascinating history of this incredible site. Afterward, we’ll make our way to Sanlıurfa to visit the Sanlıurfa Archaeological Museum and the Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum, where you’ll discover stunning artifacts and mosaics that bring the past to life.
- We’ll take you to your hotel in Sanlıurfa for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Harran Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, we’ll drive to Harran. We will visit the ruins of Harran University, Harran Castle, and see the unique, conical-domed Harran Houses that make this ancient city so distinctive.
- As you wander through these sites, you’ll learn about stories and architectural features that bring Harran’s past to life.
- After the tour, we’ll drive you to Sanlıurfa GAP Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Once in Istanbul, a comfortable transfer will take you back to your hotel.