A walk beside the black basalt walls of Sur, from the Roman-era Dağ Kapı towers toward Mardin Kapı and the Ulu Beden and Yedi Kardeş towers. Part of the UNESCO-listed Diyarbakır Fortress; wet basalt is slippery and some sections are closed for restoration.
The City Walls Circuit follows the black basalt ramparts that enclose the old city of Sur in Diyarbakır, in south-eastern Türkiye. The walls run for about 5.8 km, once carried 82 towers and four main gates (Dağ Kapı, Mardin Kapı, Urfa Kapı and Yeni Kapı), and form part of the UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape inscribed in 2015 together with the Hevsel Gardens. A walker can start at Dağ Kapı (the Mountain or Harput Gate) in the north, where the gate towers now hold a state art gallery, and follow the outer side of the walls south and east toward Mardin Kapı and the Ulu Beden and Yedi Kardeş towers, finishing near the Tigris viewpoints.
The route needs no permit or ticket for the public outer paths. Surfaces are a mix of paved promenade, cobbles and park lawn laid out during the 2000-2007 restoration. Allow two to four hours for the sections that are open, longer with photo stops. Shade is scarce and the basalt stores heat, so summer walkers should start at sunrise. After rain the dark stone becomes very slippery. Some stretches of the wall and the neighbourhoods behind it were damaged or closed in 2015 and later years, and restoration work continues, so walkers should expect occasional fencing and diversions and treat the full 5.8 km as a ceiling rather than a guaranteed continuous path.
| Distance | Up to 5.8 km for the full wall perimeter; typical walkers cover 2-4 km of open sections |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-4 hours |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Trailhead | Dağ Kapı is a short taxi or minibus ride from the Ofis and Gazi Caddesi areas; Mardin Kapı at the south end is reachable by taxi |
| Best season | March-May and September-October |
| Address | Dağ Kapı (Harput Gate), Sur, Diyarbakır, Türkiye |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Sur, old city of Diyarbakır
What to bring
- Water, at least 2 litres
- Hat and sunscreen
- Non-slip walking shoes
Location
Dağ Kapı (Harput Gate), Sur, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
37.9162, 40.2367 View on map
Highlights
- Walk alongside the 5.8 km basalt walls that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site
- See the Roman, Byzantine, Abbasid and Marwanid inscriptions on the Dağ Kapı towers
- Spot the carved Ulu Beden and Yedi Kardeş towers dating from 1208-1209
- Look over the Hevsel Gardens and the Tigris from the southern ramparts
Tips for visiting
- Start at sunrise from June to September; the basalt radiates heat from mid-morning.
- Avoid the walls after rain, as wet black basalt is very slippery.
- Carry at least 2 litres of water; there are cafés near the gates but none along the wall.
- Expect fenced or closed sections and follow signage rather than climbing barriers.
- Finish at Mardin Kapı or the Hevsel viewpoints and continue to the Ten-Eyed Bridge by taxi.
When to visit
March-May and September-October, starting at sunrise; in summer finish before 09:00.
Accessibility
Park paths beside the walls are mostly level and partly paved, but cobbled surfaces, steps at gates and uneven ground make the full circuit hard for wheelchair users and strollers.
Frequently asked questions
How long are the Diyarbakır walls?
The walls are about 5.8 km long, with around 82 original towers and four main gates.
Is a ticket needed to walk the walls?
No ticket is needed for the public outer paths. Some towers and sections may have separate access rules or be closed for restoration.
Is the walk suitable in summer?
Only at sunrise. Daytime temperatures of 35-40 C and heat from the basalt make midday walking uncomfortable.
Is the circuit continuous?
Not always. Some stretches have been fenced or are under restoration, so the walk may need short diversions through the streets.