# Southeastern Anatolia

> Travel guide to the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey — cities, attractions, and tailor-made tours.

**URL:** https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/

## Overview

The Southeast of Turkey is the most everything: most interesting, most diverse, most spectacular locations in the country for anyone interested in ancient history, cultures, and of course…eating. Strolling through worn cobblestone streets of Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, and Mardin is like taking a step back in time—a mysterious, legendary journey dotted with small markets, handmade carpets hanging from windows, men in turbans drinking tea with eyes that twinkle when they smile. It’s the fairytale version many hope for when considering Turkey as a travel destination.

## Travel Guide

The southeastern region of Turkey, also known as Eastern Anatolia, is a culturally and historically rich area at the crossroads of various civilizations. It is home to various ethnic groups, including Turks, Kurds, Arabs and Armenians, all of whom have their own traditions and customs. The region's landscape is dominated by rugged mountains and plateaus, with the Taurus Mountains forming a natural border between the Mediterranean and the Anatolian plateau. The region is famous for its ancient sites, including the ruins of the historic city of Ani and the ancient city of Harran. It is also famous for its delicious cuisine, which features many dishes with Middle Eastern influence such as kebabs and baklava. Despite its many attractions, the southeastern region has faced challenges in recent years due to political instability and conflict, especially in the predominantly Kurdish areas of the region.

## Cities in this Region

- [Sanliurfa](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/sanliurfa//)
- [Diyarbakir](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/diyarbakir//)
- [Gobeklitepe](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/gobeklitepe//)
- [Hasankeyf](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/hasankeyf//)
- [Mount Nemrut](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/mount-nemrut//)
- [Harran](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/harran//)
- [Mardin](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/mardin//)
- [Gaziantep](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com/destinations/southeastern-anatolia/gaziantep//)

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Provided by [Turkey Tour Organizer](https://www.turkeytourorganizer.com) — a tailor-made travel agency crafting private Turkey tours since 2006.