Mount Nemrut is the burial sanctuary of Antiochus I of Commagene, a 1st-century BCE king who had colossal stone heads of himself and various gods placed on a mountaintop terrace flanking his tomb tumulus. The heads have toppled from their bodies over the centuries and now sit at ground level in rows against the sky — it's one of the most photographed sights in eastern Turkey, and nearly everyone goes specifically to see the statues at sunrise or sunset, when the light and temperature are best.
| Distance | 190 km northeast |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 3 hours each way; sunrise visit requires overnight stay |
| Getting there | Bus to Adıyaman city: ₺200–₺350 (~$6–$11 USD); local tour to summit from Adıyaman: ₺500–₺800 (~$15.50–$25 USD). An overnight stay in Adıyaman or Kahta is strongly recommended over a single-day trip. |
| Address | Nemrut Dağı, Adıyaman Province, 190 km northeast of Gaziantep |
How to get there
- Bus to Adıyaman from Gaziantep Otogar: ₺200–₺350 (~$6–$11 USD)
- Guided half-day from Adıyaman: ₺500–₺800 (~$15.50–$25 USD)
Location
Nemrut Dağı, Adıyaman Province, 190 km northeast of Gaziantep
37.9812, 38.7407 View on map
Highlights
- The East and West Terraces — the two viewing platforms with the fallen stone heads of gods, eagles, and lions
- The summit tumulus — the huge cairn of loose stones believed to cover Antiochus's tomb, between the two terraces
- Cendere Bridge — a well-preserved Roman bridge en route, built under Septimius Severus
- Arsameia — a Commagene royal site near Kahta with a rock-cut relief and inscription, often visited on the same route