Car & Van Hire - Mardin

Perched on a rocky hill overlooking the River Tigris, Mardin has had a position of strategic importance for centuries. The old city, with its mighty citadel, is a UNESCO site. This has helped it become known as a travel destination, and it welcomes more visitors each year, drawn by its winding, narrow streets, stunning architecture and sweeping views over the endless Mesopotamian plains.

A trip to Mardin should include a visit to the Kasimiye Medrese. This 16th-century Islamic school is a popular location for weddings, so don't be surprised if you spot a happy couple posing for photos! The building is an excellent example of Ottoman architecture and stands at the bottom of a hill just outside town. Car rental in Mardin is an easy way to get there and back, avoiding the need to trek uphill on your return.

One of the most sacred sites is Mardin is the Ulu Camii, an impressive 12th-century mosque with a spectacular minaret. As you visit, you can admire the many inscriptions on the exterior walls, the marks of different civilisations that have controlled Mardin. Inside, it holds an unusual relic: a piece of the Prophet Abraham's beard housed in a special glass case. This is a working mosque, so non-Muslims cannot enter during prayer sessions. Shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted, and women should cover their hair.

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, which makes Mardin's Christian churches quite remarkable. This city has long been a melting pot for cultures. Different ethnic and religious groups have peacefully co-existed here for centuries. One of the most interesting Christian buildings is the Deyrulzafaran Monastery. It is about a 20-minute drive from the city, easily reached with a car or van rental in Mardin. One of the main centres of the Assyrian Orthodox church, it was originally an ancient pagan temple. In the 5th century, it became a Christian monastery. It remains a working church today, with services on Sundays.

While in Mardin, it's also nice to just wander around the old city. Its bazaar is built literally into the city walls, with shops that open up into the stone fortifications. If you want to buy something in the bazaar, don't be afraid to negotiate. Confident hagglers will usually find a much better price! Watch out for the donkeys that wander the narrow alleyways, used as a form of litter collection.

For an evocative glimpse into long-gone eras, take a trip to Dara Mesopotamia. This 6th-century Byzantine ruin is all that remains of a once-mighty city. Dara was one of the most populated settlements in Mesopotamia, a heavily fortified outpost that saw frequent conflicts with the Persians. While it is ruined today, it is a fascinating site. The rock-cut architecture is very unusual, reminiscent of Petra in Jordan.

It is impossible to drive in Mardin's old city, with its narrow streets and winding alleys. Instead, you'll need to park on the outskirts and walk. The hills here are quite steep, so ensure you have good walking shoes! You will find some options for on-street parking. There is also a decent-sized open car park at the monastery. The town has a few "Oto Parks", the Turkish name for multi-storey car parks. These are a convenient option, but you may wish to give your keys to the attendant and let him park your car, as it's common for vehicles to be crammed tightly together.

If you park on the street, don't look for a parking meter. Instead, a parking attendant will come to collect your fee. You will need to carry cash.

Generally, Mardin is a tourist destination without much other industry. There is no rush hour traffic to worry about, but you will see more cars around in the summer months and during holidays.

Many visitors choose to come to Mardin as part of a longer road trip. If you are travelling on Turkey's highways, your car must be equipped with an HGS transponder. Toll roads are very common in Turkey, and they have been modernised, so they are part of the HGS system. There is no other way to pay a toll, and if you pass a tollbooth without an HGS device, you will be subject to a heavy fine.

Turkey's highways are modern and very well-maintained, but its backroads are another story entirely. You can expect narrow roads, slow-moving agricultural vehicles and occasionally groups of animals. Don't honk your horn if you get stuck behind goats, as it will enrage them, and they may attack your car!

Mardin sees some snow in winter, although not as much as other parts of the country. The snowiest month is January. During this time, be prepared for adverse conditions on the roads. Highways are treated with grit very frequently, but smaller country roads are not.