Halfeti Travel Guide: Exploring the Best of Turkey's Hidden Gem

İrem Uğur
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Halfeti, also known as the Land of Karagül, is one of the most important districts of Turkey. Halfeti is the pearl of Southeastern Anatolia with its places to visit, its richness in terms of food and drink and its culture. Halfeti, which is a must-see place when you come to Southeastern Anatolia, introduces completely different cultures to its visitors. There are many places to visit here and many historical places you should visit. With its food and drink culture, historical and cultural heritage, Halfeti is one of the places you should definitely visit.

In this content, you can find curious information about Şanlıurfa Halfeti.

Information About Halfeti

Halfeti is a district located in the west of Şanlıurfa province. When it was founded by the Assyrian king Salmanassar III in 855 BC, this district, which was named 'Shitamrat', remained under the rule of the Hittites, Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Macedonians, Seleucids and Parthians. Seeing so many civilizations has made Halfeti full of historical beauties. It has also contributed to the diversity of its culture.

Eighty percent of the district was moved to the new settlement center, which was established 15 kilometers away, with the construction of the Birecik Dam and the flooding of the houses. The district, where houses and mosques built with stone architecture are under water, attracts attention with its natural beauty.

Halfeti, with its stone architecture under the Euphrates River, has also been known as 'Hidden Paradise' and 'Lost City'. Recently, it has become a favorite of both local and foreign tourists. 

It is one of the cities that received the title of 'Cittaslow' i.e. 'Calm City' at the International Coordination Committee meeting, which includes 11 cities in Turkey and 208 cities in the world.

Where is Halfeti? How to get to Halfeti?

Halfeti is a district of Şanlıurfa province. The district center is connected to the Gaziantep-Şanlıurfa highway by a 40 km long asphalt road.

At the same time, Şanlıurfa Halfeti, which is connected to Birecik with a 35-kilometer coastal road, is very easy to reach. The distance between Halfeti from the surrounding centers is as follows:

  • Distance to Şanlıurfa 112 km

  • 105 km from Gaziantep

  • 175 kilometers from Kahramanmaraş

It is possible to come to Halfeti by plane and bus. You can arrive at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport, 35 km from the city center by plane; you can take buses from here to Halfeti. 

If you are going to Halfeti from Sanliurfa with your own car, you can reach it within 2 hours on average via D-400 Highway. O-52/E90 and D875 Highways are also alternative roads that allow you to reach the district in 2 hours.

Places to visit in Halfeti

Halfeti, with its houses built with stone architecture, offers countless beauties to its visitors. There are many places to visit here. We can list them as follows:

  • Old Halfeti

  • Rum Kale

  • Church of St. Nerses

  • Asma Bridge

  • Church of Barshavma

Old Halfeti

Old Halfeti, most of which is flooded today due to the overflow of the Birecik Dam, still continues to be a tourism center. Historical buildings rising from under the waters, black roses and all other details are worth seeing here.

Adress: Gürlüce, 63950 Halfeti/Şanlıurfa

Rum Kale

Rum Kale is located on a peninsula on the Euphrates River. Built in 855 BC, Rum Kale, which is among the beautiful examples of Byzantine and Armenian architecture, is one of the must-see places in Halfeti. Although this place is located within the borders of Gaziantep, it is very easy to reach by boat tours from Halfeti.

Adress: Kasaba, Kasaba Köyü Yolu, 27970 Yavuzeli/Gaziantep

Suspension Bridge

The bridge over the Euphrates River is illuminated especially at night and has a pleasant appearance. Unique photographs can be taken at any time of the day on the bridge built by the district governorship.

Food and Drink in Halfeti

Şanlıurfa is one of Turkey's most important gastronomic cities. The cuisine here is so rich that everyone who visits can't get enough of eating and drinking. The most famous foods of Halfeti are as follows:

  • Poppy Kebab

  • Shabut Fish

  • Urfa Kebab

  • Bostana

  • Keme Kebab

  • Lebeni

  • Ciğer Kebab

  • Tirit

  • Lahmacun

  • Şıllık

  • Çiğ köfte

  • Billuriye

  • Kelle Paça

  • Ağzı Açık

  • Aya Meatballs

  • Stuffed Mumbar

  • Söğülme

Halfeti Başkanın Yeri Duba Restaurant

This is one of the best places to taste the famous dishes in Halfeti. This establishment, which fascinates everyone with its view and comfort, also stands out with the flavors on its menu.

Adress: Şimaliye, Şimaliye Mahallesi Atatürk Caddesi, Köse Sokak No:17, 63950 Halfeti/Şanlıurfa

Phone: 04147515704

Working Hours: 09.00 - 23.30

Halfeti Venedik Restaurant

If you want to eat the most delicious kebabs in Halfeti, Şanlıurfa, you should definitely visit Halfeti Venedik Restaurant. Halfeti Venedik Restaurant is waiting for you with both its view and the flavor of its dishes.

Adress: Şimaliye, Atatürk Cd. No: 5 D:3, Halfeti/Şanlıurfa

Phone: 0546 127 63 01

Working hours: 07.00 - 00.00

Accomodation in Halfeti

When you come to Halfeti, if you want to spend a few days here and spend a lot of time here, our accommodation facility suggestions for you are as follows:

Kasr-i Canan Boutique Hotel

This hotel is one of the most preferred hotels in Halfeti, Şanlıurfa. Kasr-ı Canan Boutique Hotel is one of the most ideal places to stay in Şanlıurfa with its breakfast, cleanliness, peaceful and comfortable environment.

Adress: Şimaliye, GÖKSEL SOKAK, Orta Cd. No:1, 63950 Halfeti/Şanlıurfa

Phone: 05376563701

Turkmen Konağı Boutique Hotel

Turkmen Konağı Boutique Hotel is ideal for those looking for a cozy and comfortable holiday experience. You can relieve the tiredness of the day here after your tiring trips full of history and culture in Halfeti.

Adress: Şimaliye, Orta Cd. NO:21, 63950 Halfeti/Şanlıurfa

Phone: 05558998844