Car & Van Hire - Sanliurfa

Sanliurfa, known locally as Urfa, is regarded as the birthplace of agriculture. It has been inhabited for thousands of years, and one of its most fascinating places to visit is Göbleki Tepe. This temple dates back 12,000 years and features the world's oldest known megaliths. As you explore the archaeological site, you'll see an intriguing range of details and illustrations carved into the stone pillars, often showing wild animals. It can easily be reached with a car or van rental in Sanliurfa. You could comfortably spend a whole day here, admiring a temple that is 7,500 years older than the Pyramids of Giza. The site is still being excavated, and it is estimated that only 5% has been uncovered so far.

The Prophet Abraham is said to have been born in Sanliurfa, so the city has become a pilgrimage destination for Muslims. His birthplace is a cave, where legend says he was hidden for the first years of his life to avoid being killed by King Nimrod. Today, much of the cave is underwater, but it can be visited. There are separate visiting areas for men and women.

Your car rental in Sanliurfa will let you see more ancient religious sites, such as Balikli Gol, the Pool of Abraham. This pool is home to sacred carp, which are fed by pilgrims and visitors. Legend has it that Abraham was sentenced to be burned alive. However, when he was thrown onto the pyre, a miracle transformed the flames into water and the logs into fish – the ancestors of the carp you see today. Surrounded by elegant rose gardens, it's a great place for a stroll.

It's worth noting that, perhaps due to the sacred sites, people in Sanliurfa tend to dress more conservatively than in other parts of Turkey. Foreign visitors are not expected to cover up, except when going to religious sites. As this is a pilgrimage site, alcohol is rarely served in the city's restaurants or sold in its shops.

With such a long, rich history, it's no surprise that the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum is worth visiting. This is a large museum that tells the history of the region, from hunter-gatherer tribes to the rise of Islamic culture. Some of the exhibits are incredible, such as the 11,000-year-old life-size statue of a man. Beside it is a Mosaic Museum, which shows beautiful Roman tiles that were uncovered by chance during recent building work.

Sanliurfa is a large city, and it is prone to rush-hour traffic. To avoid this, steer clear of the city centre from 07:00 to 09:00 and again from 16:00 to 18:00. While driving in Sanliurfa, you will want to be careful. The streets here may appear to have far more pedestrians than in other parts of Turkey. This is partly due to pilgrims coming to visit the sacred sites and partly due to the large numbers of displaced Syrians who now live in the city. Take care – you may need to drive more slowly than you would elsewhere.

When it comes to parking in Sanliurfa, the easiest option is generally to go for an "Oto Park". These are Turkey's large, multi-storey car parks, and there are several dotted around the city. When you arrive at an Oto Park, the attendant will offer to take your keys and park for you. This can be extremely convenient, as the parking spaces are extremely narrow, with cars jammed very tightly together. If you're not used to manoeuvring in such small spaces, it can be very tricky indeed.

Alternatively, some on-street parking is available, but this can be hard to find. If you do manage to get a spot, be sure you are carrying cash to pay the fee. There are no meters here. Instead, a parking attendant will approach you for payment and give you a ticket in return.

Sanliurfa is only around 55 km from the Syrian border. While Turkey is one of the more stable countries in the region, its neighbour is not so fortunate. Syria has been destabilised by civil war and natural disasters, and it is considered extremely dangerous for visitors to enter. Take care while navigating, and make no attempt to cross the border.

If you want to drive to any other city in Turkey, ensure that your car is fitted with an HGS transponder. Turkey has an extensive network of toll roads, and the HGS system is the only way to pay for them. If your car does not have one of these devices – which usually take the form of an electronically-chipped sticker – you will be charged a hefty fine. For long road trips, we recommend planning your route in advance. There are toll roads across the country, but the prices can vary enormously, which could lead to some unpleasant surprises!