Caramel-colored stone homes of varying square sizes dot the eskiśehir (old city) of Mardin. To walk up towards the outcropping of honey basalt stone on the hillside feels like the best type of 'urban' hiking (if you can call Mardin urban at all). Outcroppings next to old castles and cobblestone walkways, Mardin is quite picturesque. The view from the top shows the flat stretch of agricultural land with not much more. Mardin feels like an oasis in the middle of southeastern turkey. An adorable tourist hot stop for Turks and foreigners alike, even at the end of March you'll find that you won't have Mardin all to yourself.
The cobble stone pathways weaving up and around and back down are endearing and exciting to explore. While you might not know exactly where the next cadde (street) will lead you, it's impossible to get lost in Mardin. The Main Street, fondly still called Birinci Caddesi (first street) even though several years ago it was formally renamed Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street). Birinci Caddesi holds within it many hidden pathways that lead to some of Mardin's best gems. Ulu Cami'i is one of those gems, colloquially called Büyük Cami (big mosque). Ulu Cami'i's minaret is exquisite with detail and script displayed on it that dates back to the 12th Century. Ulu Cami'i also has a somewhat strange display of a few hairs from the Prophet Mohammed's beard.
The cobble stone pathways weaving up and around and back down are endearing and exciting to explore. While you might not know exactly where the next cadde (street) will lead you, it's impossible to get lost in Mardin. The Main Street, fondly still called Birinci Caddesi (first street) even though several years ago it was formally renamed Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street). Birinci Caddesi holds within it many hidden pathways that lead to some of Mardin's best gems. Ulu Cami'i is one of those gems, colloquially called Büyük Cami (big mosque). Ulu Cami'i's minaret is exquisite with detail and script displayed on it that dates back to the 12th Century. Ulu Cami'i also has a somewhat strange display of a few hairs from the Prophet Mohammed's beard.
Mardin is a treat to visit, even with the natural tourist pitfalls of being beckoned to purchase a trinket by shopkeepers and heckled by young guys on the street. Mardin is a terrific city well worth the visit, even if Anatolia or southeastern Turkey is not on your travel route!