Mardin: Türkiye’s City of Stories, Sunsets, and Surprises
By Johnny Ward | July 17, 2025
Nestled on a steep hillside in southeastern Türkiye, Mardin is where the ancient and modern jostle for space — and for your attention. I’ve had it on my radar for years, and filming my travel show finally gave me the excuse to explore it. Now that I have, I can tell you this: Mardin deserves a spot on every traveler’s list.
Some places grab you before you even unpack. Mardin was that for me. Perched above the endless plains of Mesopotamia, it’s a living museum of layered civilizations. Assyrians, Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Turks, Syriacs, Persians — all have left their mark. And now, so have I.
Day 1: Sunrise at the Madrasa, Stories at the Table
We started filming pre-dawn, climbing ancient stone steps in darkness, led by the call to prayer. Our destination: Zinciriye Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic school turned into one of Mardin’s most iconic viewpoints.
As the sun cracked the horizon, it bathed the rooftops and the Syrian plains in golden light. I stood there, mic’d up and speechless, letting the weight of centuries wash over me. It was the perfect place to open our episode.
From history to modern heroism — we visited Zamarot 1890, a zero-waste fusion restaurant run by powerhouse chef and humanitarian Ebru Baybara Demir. What she’s doing here is bigger than food. It’s about sustainability, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation. And yes, the food? Next-level.
Day 2: Bazaars, Sacred Relics, and Rooftop Kites
We dived deeper into Mardin’s spirit with a visit to the Old Bazaar — a sensory overload of spices, greetings, and sandstone walls. Here, I tried Mardin pastry, a rich treat born in the city’s Christian communities, now beloved by all. That’s Mardin: not just coexisting, but blending.
Then came Ulu Cami, the Grand Mosque, home to one of Islam’s sacred relics — the Sakal-ı Şerif, a strand from the Prophet Muhammad’s beard. Whether religious or not, standing before something that sacred humbles you.
Later, with coffee in hand and Mesopotamia stretched out below, I talked to camera about how this land isn’t just a history lesson — it is the history lesson.
We also met actress Nehir Erdoğan, who shared how Mardin shaped her identity, and Zahit Mungan, a world champion kite flyer. Watching his hand-crafted kite soar above the stone rooftops was magic — unscripted, unfiltered joy.
Why Mardin Matters
If your Türkiye plans only include Istanbul and Cappadocia, I understand. But you’d be missing something essential. Mardin isn’t flashy — it’s deep. It’s a city where time folds in on itself, where the Muslim call to prayer echoes near ancient Christian monasteries. Where the food is the culture, and the rooftops tell stories better than any museum.
For me and the Where to Next team, Mardin wasn’t just a location — it was a reminder. Of why we travel. To connect. To get humbled. And, sometimes, to fly a kite on a rooftop.
Bonus: Offbeat Things to Do in Mardin
📍 Wander Old Mardin
Lose yourself in its sandstone maze. Forget the map — this city was made for getting lost.
💡 Don’t miss: Zinciriye Madrasa, Ulu Cami, Erkulu Cami, Sehidiye Cami, and even the old post office.
🌄 See Mardin from afar
Walk outside the city for that postcard-perfect skyline view. Worth every step.
🎉 Stumble into a surprise festival
We hit the first-ever International Bulgur Festival by pure luck. We danced, ate with strangers, and smiled nonstop. Mardin has that effect.
Final word: Mardin sneaks up on you. It’s ancient, alive, and authentic. If you’re heading east in Türkiye — don’t skip it.
Got questions or planning your own trip? Reach out on Instagram: @onestep4ward. More from this magical corner of the world coming soon.
