Sanliurfa (all images)

Sanliurfa, locally known as Urfa (or al-Ruha in Arabic and Riha in Kurdish) is a city of 2 million inhabitants in the centre of the Euphrates/Tigris basin, the large city closest to the Atatürk dam. Known in ancient times as Edessa, the area around it has been settled since at least 9000 BC. Prehistoric sites in the area include Duru, Harran, Nevali Cori, Göbekli Tepe, Gürcütepe and the city itself. A number of artifacts which have been excavated in the area are on display in the archaeology museum and the mosaic museum.
The historic core is centered around the Gölbashi park which contains the Balikligöl pond and some mosques. Around the park there are several other mosques and some former Christian churches. On a hill overlooking the park there are the ruins of a massive castle built during the Mamluk period. Inside the castle there are two Corinthian columns, the remnants of a 2nd century palace.
Opposite the museums lies the Kizilkoyun necropolis, excavated in 2016 and containing a several rooms cut into the rock. The Piazza mall is a large and modern mall with a food court. it lies adjacent to the museums and the necropolis.
How to get to Sanliurfa
Sanliurfa has an airport with flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Sanliurfa can also be reached by motorway from Gaziantep.
Accommodation
There are several hotels, most of them bookable via the international booking portals.