An urban walk along Gazi Caddesi linking the Ulu Cami, the 16th-century Hasan Paşa Han, the Dört Ayaklı Minare and the Surp Giragos Church. Dress modestly for the mosques.
The Sur heritage walk stays inside the walls and follows Gazi Caddesi, the main street of the old city, between its principal historic buildings. It begins near Dağ Kapı at the north and runs south past the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), whose double-storey colonnaded courtyard is paved in basalt, to the Hasan Paşa Han, a caravanserai built between 1572 and 1575 opposite the east entrance of the mosque. Further along are the Nebi Camii at the junction with İzzet Paşa Caddesi, the Şeyh Mutahhar (Dört Ayaklı Minare) mosque with its four-legged minaret, and the Surp Giragos Armenian Church.
The walk covers about 2 km on cobbled and paved streets and takes two to three hours with visits. Mosques are free to enter outside prayer times; modest dress is expected, and shoes are removed. The Hasan Paşa Han today holds shops, cafés and a bookshop, so it is a convenient mid-route break. Some buildings suffered damage in recent years and have been restored, and opening hours vary, so the times listed locally should be checked on arrival.
| Distance | About 2 km along the main street and side lanes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Trailhead | On foot; taxis and minibuses reach Dağ Kapı and Gazi Caddesi |
| Best season | October-May |
| Address | Gazi Caddesi, Sur, Diyarbakır, Türkiye |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Sur, old city of Diyarbakır
What to bring
- Scarf and modest clothing
- Water
- Comfortable shoes
Location
Gazi Caddesi, Sur, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
37.9122, 40.2358 View on map
Highlights
- Ulu Cami courtyard with its two-storey basalt colonnades and 1849 fountain
- Hasan Paşa Han caravanserai of 1572-1575 with its six-column fountain
- The Dört Ayaklı Minare, a minaret standing on four stone columns
- Surp Giragos Armenian Church, reopened for worship in May 2022
Tips for visiting
- Cover shoulders and knees and carry a scarf for mosque visits; avoid prayer times.
- Start early; the narrow streets are shaded in the morning and busy by midday.
- Have a break in the Hasan Paşa Han café courtyard before the southern section.
- Carry small lira notes for tea and tips.
- Keep valuables in a front bag in the busy bazaar lanes.
When to visit
October-May; in summer start at 07:30 and finish before midday.
Accessibility
Streets are cobbled and uneven with some steps at building entrances; mosques require shoe removal and may have limited ramps. Parts of the walk are possible with a wheelchair on the main street only.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the walk start?
At Dağ Kapı at the north end of Gazi Caddesi, or at the Ulu Cami if starting from the middle.
Is there an entrance fee?
The mosques and the han courtyard are generally free to enter; church and museum buildings can have their own hours.
How long does it take?
About two to three hours for 2 km with visits.
Is the walk safe for solo travellers?
Yes, the main streets are busy with locals and visitors in the daytime; visitors should still keep to lit streets after dark.