Gobeklitepe Day Tour from Istanbul
Discover a site that rewrote human history on this Göbeklitepe day tour from Istanbul. Hidden in the dry hills of Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe is recognized as the oldest known temple complex in the world — a place of worship built more than 11,000 years ago, long before the invention of writing or the wheel.
The day begins with a flight from Istanbul and continues with a scenic drive to the archaeological site. You’ll explore the massive T-shaped pillars carved with mysterious animal figures and learn why Göbeklitepe is considered one of the most important discoveries of modern archaeology. The tour also includes a visit to the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, home to thousands of Neolithic artifacts and the world-famous Urfa Man statue.
This one-day tour is designed for curious minds and history lovers who want to experience firsthand a place that changed our understanding of civilization. It’s an unforgettable trip into humanity’s distant past, all made accessible from Istanbul in a single day.
- Visit the oldest temple in the world "Gobeklitepe" on a comfortable day trip
- Includes return flights, expert-guided museum visits, and hotel transfers
- Explore Sanliurfa’s cultural gems: Pool of Abraham, Mosaic Museum & Archaeology Museum
- Ideal for travelers with limited time who want a rich historical experience
- Small group experience ensures personalized attention
- Full itinerary crafted by regional experts for seamless logistics
What's Included
- Round-trip domestic flights: Istanbul – Şanlıurfa – Istanbul
- Professional licensed English-speaking tour guide
- All transfers between hotel, airport, and tour sites
- Full-day guided Göbeklitepe and Şanlıurfa tour
- Entrance fees to all mentioned museums and archaeological sites
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Local taxes and service chargesLocal taxes and service charges
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during lunch
Gobeklitepe Day Tour from Istanbul: Explore the Oldest Temple on Earth
Tour Itinerary – A Fascinating Journey into the Birthplace of Civilization
04:00 – Hotel Pick-Up in Istanbul
Your day begins early with a private transfer from your centrally located Istanbul hotel to the airport. Our driver will greet you at the lobby and ensure a smooth and timely arrival at the terminal.
07:35 – Flight from Istanbul to Şanlıurfa GAP Airport
Take off for the southeast of Turkey. Your flight to Şanlıurfa, the cradle of ancient civilizations, will last approximately two hours. Flight time may vary depending on seasonal schedules.
09:35 – Arrival in Şanlıurfa and Transfer to Göbeklitepe
Upon landing at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport, our team will welcome you and escort you to the historical site of Göbeklitepe. Enjoy the changing landscapes as you drive toward the oldest known religious sanctuary in the world.
Tour Highlights:
- Gobeklitepe: Recognized as the world’s first temple complex, Göbeklitepe dates back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period (9,600–7,300 BCE). Explore massive T-shaped pillars arranged in circular formations, each carved with intricate animal motifs. The site challenges conventional theories about the origins of human civilization, suggesting that spiritual life may have sparked the birth of agriculture, not the other way around.
- Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum: As Turkey’s largest museum, this modern and expansive institution houses over 5,000 artifacts. Highlights include stone tools, Neolithic statues, ancient Mesopotamian relics, and the iconic Urfa Man—the world’s oldest known life-sized human sculpture, dating back to 9,500 BCE.
- Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum: Admire a rare and stunning collection of Roman mosaics, particularly the famed depictions of Amazon Warrior Queens. Each panel is incredibly well-preserved, showcasing colorful scenes of mythology, daily life, and nature.
- The Pool of Abraham (Balıklıgöl): This sacred pool is believed to be where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into fire by King Nimrod, only for the flames to turn into water and the burning logs into sacred carp fish. Surrounded by religious complexes and Ottoman architecture, it is a deeply spiritual and symbolic place in Şanlıurfa’s identity.
- Haşimiye Square: Dive into local culture at this vibrant square filled with historical Ottoman architecture, traditional inns, and local markets. Shop for handmade silver jewelry, regional spices like isot (Urfa pepper), and sample regional delights such as künefe and çiğ köfte.
17:00 – End of Tour and Transfer to Şanlıurfa GAP Airport
After a full day of cultural exploration and historical discovery, you’ll be transferred back to Şanlıurfa Airport for your return flight.
20:00 – Flight to Istanbul
Board your evening flight back to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours and may vary depending on airline schedule.
22:15 – Arrival in Istanbul & Hotel Drop-Off
Upon landing, our staff will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name. You’ll be transferred directly to your hotel in Istanbul, ending your unforgettable day in Mesopotamia’s heartland.
- Domestic flights include 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin allowance.
- Airport transfers in both cities are included. No need to worry about logistics.
- Tour operates with a professional, licensed English-speaking guide.
- Transfer and flight times provided are approximate and subject to change based on seasonal conditions and airline availability.
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Mind blown by 12K year old temple complex!
Early flight from Istanbul was worth every minute of lost sleep. Gobeklitepe redefines everything archaeologists thought they knew about prehistoric civilization development.
Visiting humanity oldest known sanctuary changed my perspective on ancestor capabilities completely. Stone carvings depicting animals extinct for millennia created eerie time travel sensation. UNESCO protection efforts visible everywhere with careful boardwalks preserving delicate excavation work. Local Urfa cuisine lunch featured dishes unchanged since ancient times. Flight back to Istanbul departed late but nobody minded after such extraordinary discovery experience.
Reshapes understanding of prehistoric human capabilities and social complexity development patterns permanently. Spcial thanks to Turkey Travel Bazaar.
Predates Stonehenge by 6000 years which absolutely boggled my brain.
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