WELCOME TO THE GOOD LIFE IN
GÖBEKLI & KARAHAN TEPE
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
PLANNING
This is not a casual add-on. Visiting Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe requires real intention — and ideally, some background reading before arrival.
The sites are located near the city of Şanlıurfa (commonly called Urfa), in southeastern Turkey, and are best approached either via domestic flight from Istanbul to Urfa GAP Airport or overland with a knowledgeable guide as part of a broader cultural itinerary across Eastern Anatolia or Upper Mesopotamia.
The terrain is harsh in summer — dry, exposed, and hot — so spring (April to early June) or autumn (September to October) is strongly recommended. Winter visits are possible and atmospheric, but weather can be unpredictable, and access to Karahan Tepe may be limited by conditions or excavation schedules.
A local driver and expert guide are essential. Fortunately we can connect you with someone who understands the archaeology, symbolism, and broader Neolithic context — and who is also familiar with the rhythms of local life and the logistics of regional travel. These sites are not overdeveloped. Karahan Tepe in particular is still being excavated and lacks formal visitor infrastructure. Do not expect cafés, signage, or gift shops.
A base in Urfa makes logistical sense and offers cultural context. This is a conservative and deeply traditional city, but one with a surprisingly rich energy — connected to the legacy of Abraham and steeped in millennia of religious significance.
You’ll find excellent food, deeply hospitable locals, and the Urfa Archaeology Museum, which is an essential part of this journey.
MUSEUM & SITEBOOKING
Göbekli Tepe – Open to visitors with an entry fee. The site is managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and includes a visitor center with a reconstructed model, rest areas, and basic amenities. A raised walkway allows access around the excavated circles. No advance booking is needed for individuals, but a professional guide must be arranged separately (we can facilitate this). Photography is permitted, though drones require special permission.
Karahan Tepe – Open only seasonally and subject to excavation activity. There is no formal ticketing system as of now. Access is typically granted by local arrangement, often with a guide who has ongoing contacts with the archaeology team or site supervisors. A 4WD vehicle is usually required due to the rough roads. There are no facilities — bring water, sunscreen, and wear solid footwear.
Urfa Archaeology Museum – Located in Şanlıurfa city, this museum holds some of the most important finds from Göbekli Tepe and its sister sites. Entry is inexpensive, but allow at least two hours for a thorough visit. The adjacent Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum is also worth seeing if you have time. No advance booking is needed.
Suggested Itinerary: Two Days in the Cradle of Civilisation.
ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS
Göbekli Tepe & Urfa
DAY I
Morning: Begin at the Urfa Archaeology Museum for essential context. This will set the intellectual and emotional tone for what’s ahead. See the original stelae and reconstructions of the enclosures.
Then drive out to Göbekli Tepe, arriving mid- to late morning to avoid the midday heat.
Walk the site slowly. With a guide, try to decode the carvings, the alignment, and what it might have meant for people to come together here 11,000 years ago.
Lunch: Eat in a local village or return to Urfa for a courtyard lunch of grilled lamb, lentil soup, and fresh flatbreads.
Afternoon: Visit Balıklıgöl, the sacred pool of Abraham, and explore the old quarter of Urfa. This is less about tourism and more about absorbing the pace of life in one of Turkey’s most ancient cities.
Evening: Dinner at a traditional sıra gecesi restaurant — live music, mezze, and storytelling are often part of the experience.
Return to your hotel for an early night: tomorrow is Karahan Tepe.
Karahan Tepe & Beyond
DAY II
Morning: Set out early for Karahan Tepe — it’s a rough, beautiful drive through remote terrain. A 4WD vehicle and guide with local contacts are essential.
Arrive mid-morning and begin your exploration. The site is raw and often windswept, and the symbolism is more provocative than at Göbekli Tepe. Walk slowly, ask questions, and absorb the mystery. There are few places on earth that so fully resist explanation.
Lunch: A picnic or packed lunch is the most practical option here — no facilities. Find a quiet spot with a view of the hills, and reflect on what you’ve just seen.
Afternoon: Return to Urfa in the late afternoon. Depending on energy levels, stop at Harran — a town known for its beehive houses and ancient astronomy traditions.
Evening: Back in Urfa, finish with something simple: tea in the courtyard of a han (caravanserai) or a rooftop view of the city lit by minarets.
You Might Also Want to Stay Longer, and Here’s Why We Think You Should:
DAY III
Mount Nemrut – One of the most surreal sights in Turkey: colossal stone heads scattered atop a mountain, part of a royal tomb built by Antiochus I in the 1st century BC. Best visited at sunrise or sunset.
A long but rewarding drive from Urfa.
Harran – Said to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the world, Harran is known for its distinctive conical homes, ancient city walls, and deep biblical associations. Also home to a historic astronomy school.
Mardin – An architectural jewel overlooking the Mesopotamian plains, known for its sandstone buildings, Assyrian churches, and multicultural legacy of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Armenians. A few hours' drive east.
Halfeti – A partially sunken village on the Euphrates River, known for its black roses and haunting beauty. Boat rides can be arranged to explore the flooded old town.
Gaziantep – Turkey’s culinary capital, and home to one of the best mosaic museums in the world. Ideal for those heading westward or seeking a taste-focused detour.