Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Türkiye (Turkey)

DiyarbakırAmed

Give Diyarbakır 2 nights for the basalt walls and Sur old town; add a third only if you want Zerzevan Castle or a Mardin day trip.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Diyarbakır is the largest city in the south-east, mostly Kurdish and known locally as Amed. Its draw is the Sur old town inside 5.5 km of black basalt walls, plus a food scene built on lamb liver and stuffed vine leaves. Sights are walkable; the modern city sprawls west. Two nights covers the core, and it pairs naturally with Mardin or Batman.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
TRY
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C (100 °F)+), Dec–Feb (cold nights)
Airport
DIY
Nights
2
Rules in force · 5
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Diyarbakır112 ▾
  • All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Diyarbakır, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Street or quick mealCiğer kebabı plate₺200–350 (≈ US$5–9)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₺200–400 (≈ US$5–10)
  • Museum or sight ticketArchaeological museum entry₺160 (≈ US$4)
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₺400 (≈ US$10)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room₺2,200 (≈ US$55)
  • High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per room₺4,500 (≈ US$110)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₺1,200 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₺2,200 (≈ US$55) · High ₺4,000 (≈ US$100)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Basalt city walls and Sur old townGreat Mosque (Ulu Camii)Surp Giragos Armenian churchCiğer kebabı and Kurdish breakfasts
Airports
DIY Diyarbakır Airport (Daily flights from Istanbul (IST and SAW), Ankara, İzmir and Antalya; the terminal sits on the far side of the airfield, about 15 km (9.3 mi) from the old town)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  5. May

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    39°C (102°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    39°C (102°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    33°C (91°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (39°C (102°F)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Diyarbakır: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

−2°C (28°F)

12 rd

Feb

10°C (50°F)

−1°C (30°F)

12 rd

Mar

15°C (59°F)

3°C (37°F)

12 rd

Apr

21°C (70°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

May

27°C (81°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Jun

34°C (93°F)

17°C (63°F)

2 rd

Jul

39°C (102°F)

22°C (72°F)

0 rd

Aug

39°C (102°F)

21°C (70°F)

0 rd

Sep

33°C (91°F)

16°C (61°F)

2 rd

Oct

26°C (79°F)

10°C (50°F)

6 rd

Nov

16°C (61°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Dec

9°C (48°F)

−1°C (30°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The old town is walkable end to end. Buses and dolmuşes run the main avenues; taxis are the practical link between Sur and the western hotel strip. Carry your passport — checkpoints are common.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Mardin

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h each way

Bus or dolmuş south on the D950, about 90 km (56 mi)

Old stone town on a hillside; doable as a long day, better as an overnight.

Batman and Hasankeyf

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h each way

Bus or the regional train east, about 94 km (58 mi)

Hasankeyf's old village was drowned by the dam; relocated buildings sit on the north bank.

Ergani

caution

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Bus or the Güney Kurtalan Ekspresi northwest, about 40 km (25 mi)

Çayönü is an 8,000-year-old site but the visit needs a car and local directions.

Zerzevan Castle

go

Door to door: About 1 h each way

Car or taxi off the D950, about 45 km (28 mi) southeast

Roman citadel with a rock-cut Mithras temple; stout shoes, uneven ground, free entry.

Şanlıurfa (Urfa)

overnight

Door to door: 2.5–3 h each way

Bus west on the E99

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Sur old town (Dağ Kapı)

Walk to the walls, Great Mosque and bazaar; budget strips on Hz Süleyman Cd and İnönü Blv.

New city boulevards

Modern mid-range and chain hotels along Elazığ Blv and Urfa Blv, 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) west; taxis needed.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₺1,200–2,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
Mid
₺2,000–3,500 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed (2026 estimate)
High
₺3,500 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed (2026 estimate)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × ₺2,200₺4,400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₺2,200₺8,800
Airport taxi to the old town1 × ₺500₺500
Dolmüş or city bus ride2 × ₺30₺50
eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₺250₺500
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge₺1,430
Trip total≈ ₺3,920 per person per day, bed included₺15,680≈ US$400

2026 estimate in lira; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Tea in a wall-side tea garden₺20–40 (≈ under US$1)
Ciğer kebabı plate₺200–350 (≈ US$5–9)
Breakfast (meze-style) in a han₺250–450 (≈ US$7–11)
Künefe or kadayıf dessert₺120–200 (≈ US$3–5)
Archaeological museum entry₺160 (≈ US$4)
Virgin Mary Church entry₺100 (≈ US$3)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week₺200–400 (≈ US$5–10)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Safe enough in daylight in the tourist areas, but don't be out alone at night. Police checkpoints are frequent — carry your passport. The 2016 unrest and the 2023 earthquake left visible damage and displaced residents.
  • Always carry your passport: police checkpoints are frequent.
  • Don't walk alone at night outside the main streets.
  • Tap water may be unsafe because of old pipework; drink bottled.
  • Summer heat is severe — book a hotel with air conditioning.
  • Parts of the walls and some mosques are closed for restoration: check locally.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

DiyarbakırAmed

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Bu adrese, lütfenTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergencies112

Embassy

Most countries: embassies in Ankara, consulates-general in Istanbul; check your own country's list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport → old town taxi: about ₺500 (≈ US$13), 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Dolmüş ride in the city: about ₺25 (≈ under US$1)
  • Bus Diyarbakır → Mardin: about ₺250–350 (≈ US$7–9), 1.5–2 h

Say or show

  • Merhaba — Hello (mer-hah-BAH)
  • Teşekkür ederim — Thank you (teh-shek-kewr eh-deh-rim)
  • Ne kadar? — How much is it? (neh kah-DAR)
  • Hesap, lütfen — The bill, please (heh-SAP lewt-fen)
  • Tuvalet nerede? — Where is the toilet? (too-vah-LET neh-reh-DEH)
  • Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? — Can I pay by card? (KART-lah ur-deh-yeh-bih-lir mi-yim)

Kurdish (Kurmanji) is widely spoken in the south-east; Turkish is the official language.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Diyarbakır. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C+), Dec–Feb (cold nights) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for DIY: taxi and dolmuş options from the terminal, last-arrival rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Dağ Kapı and the walls, Great Mosque and the hans, the fortress and museums, Mardin Kapı and the Tigris bridges.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (fortress, archaeological museum, Surp Giragos, Virgin Mary Church) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Checkpoint and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Türkiye (Turkey)

Sources