Bağlar

Day Trips

You arrive in Bağlar and settle into a traditional stone guesthouse where the scent of freshly brewed Turkish coffee greets you. The sun casts a warm glow over the narrow streets lined with colorful doors. You chat with locals while enjoying a breakfast of simit and olives at a nearby café.

After resting, you take a leisurely stroll to discover the neighborhood’s hidden corners, passing vegetable stalls and friendly shopkeepers. You sample gözleme from a street vendor, savoring the thin dough filled with spinach and cheese. The afternoon light highlights the patterns in the old courtyard walls.

As dusk falls, you join a dinner at a family-run lokanta, tasting hearty lentil soup and lamb kebabs. Soft ney flute music drifts through the air as you mingle with other travelers. You end the night with a sweet plate of künefe paired with strong, aromatic tea.

You start by walking along the UNESCO-listed Diyarbakır city walls that stretch for nearly six kilometers. The basalt stones feel cool under your hand as you climb a watchtower for panoramic views. Local guides point out centuries-old inscriptions carved into the mighty ramparts.

Having taken in the vistas, you descend into the historic Sur district and explore narrow lanes. You browse artful calligraphy shops and peek into hidden hammams. A street café invites you to try a plate of ciğer (lamb liver) cooked to perfection.

As the sun sets behind the walls, you join a small group for a storytelling session about the walls’ legendary defenders. Lanterns cast dancing shadows on the stone as tales of heroism come alive. You round off the evening with warm baklava and apple tea in a courtyard café.

You begin at Hasan Paşa Hanı, a 16th-century caravanserai now offering artisan shops and teahouses. You savor flaky börek while watching weavers at work on colorful textiles. The gentle murmur of conversation mingles with the clinking of tea glasses.

A short walk brings you to Ulu Cami, one of Anatolia’s oldest mosques, where you admire its ornate mihrab and towering minaret. The cool marble floors are relieved by shafts of sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows. Nearby, you sample şıllık tatlısı, a semolina cake drizzled with syrup.

As prayer time approaches, you join worshippers for the call to prayer rising above the tiled courtyard. Afterwards, you dine at a terrace restaurant overlooking the mosque, enjoying rich kebab varieties. The evening breeze carries distant prayers and the scent of jasmine.

The day begins in the bustling Koç Han Bazaar, where vendors sell spices, dried fruits, and woven rugs. You haggle playfully for a kilim pattern that catches your eye. The vibrant colors and fragrances awaken your senses.

You head into workshops to meet local artisans crafting copperware and blown glass. Hands dipped in dye create vibrant ikat scarves, and you try weaving a few strands yourself. A pot of black tea keeps your energy high between demonstrations.

You return to the bazaar at dusk as lanterns glow overhead, illuminating stalls of hand-painted ceramics. Street musicians perform dengbêj songs, their voices weaving local legends. You munch on roasted corn and sip ayran while soaking in the lively atmosphere.

You cross the On Gözlü Bridge spanning the Tigris River, enjoying morning reflections on the water. The old stones and ancient arches frame fishermen casting lines into the current. The quiet flow soothes your spirit.

A riverside café offers mezzes of muhammara, hummus, and vine leaves as you watch boats drift by. Local families picnic under poplar trees and children chase ducks along the bank. You take a short boat trip to see hidden caves carved into the embankment.

At sunset, you find a shaded spot on a riverside terrace for dinner. Flaky grilled fish and fresh salads taste even better with the golden light dancing on the water. Soft Kurdish melodies from a nearby café create a tranquil finale.

Your morning begins in a ceramic studio where a master shapes earthenware on a spinning wheel. You learn the delicate steps of glazing and firing in a traditional wood-fired kiln. The scent of clay and smoke fills the air.

Next you visit a leather workshop where your hands soften hides under expert guidance. The sound of tools tapping and stitching needles creates a rhythmic soundtrack. You craft a small pouch embossed with ancient motifs.

At sunset, the workshop hosts a tasting of local cheeses, olives, and fruit preserves. You discuss regional craft traditions over plates of warm pide. A fire pit crackles as you sip spiced apple tea under a star-studded sky.

You join a cooking class in a family kitchen to prepare beyran, a spicy lamb and rice soup that’s a Diyarbakır specialty. Freshly ground spices perfume the air as you stir bubbling pots. You learn each secret step passed down through generations.

Lunch follows with a feast of your own making: tender kebabs, sautéed vegetables, and pillowy breads. You share stories with your hosts about life in Bağlar. The sweetest figs and walnuts serve as a perfect finale.

Armed with newfound skills, you roam food stalls sampling ciğer kebab and lahmacun topped with parsley and sumac. The street lights reveal colorful crowds enjoying late-night snacks. You end with a shot of boza, a lightly fermented millet drink.

You spend the morning at the Diyarbakır Archaeology Museum, marveling at artifacts from the Hittite, Roman, and Ottoman eras. Intricate jewelry and ancient tools tell stories of civilizations long gone. Each display case feels like a portal to another time.

After lunch at a museum café, you head to the Ethnography Museum to see traditional costumes and folk instruments. You try on a ceremonial vest and hold a saz lute in your hands. A curator explains the significance of each woven motif.

You return to town for a cultural performance at a restored han, featuring folk dances and dengbêj singing. Torches light up the courtyard as performers in vibrant attire enact local legends. You savor a dessert of semolina pudding with crushed pistachios.

You wake up to the sound of ney flute practice drifting from a nearby studio. A local musician invites you for a short lesson in Kurdish rhythms. Your clumsy first attempts are met with patient laughter and encouragement.

You spend time exploring CD and vinyl shops that stock rare recordings of regional artists. You sample Kurdish coffee sweetened with cardamom at a listening lounge. The staff introduces you to mixed tapes of folk and contemporary fusion.

The highlight arrives as you attend a live concert in a historical courtyard, complete with a full ensemble of saz, darbuka, and violin. The haunting melodies stir emotions deep within you. You mingle with musicians afterward, toasting the night with tea and laughter.

On your final morning, you revisit your favorite café for round after round of strong coffee and freshly baked simit. You watch the sun illuminate Bağlar’s rooftops one last time. A gentle breeze carries the scent of jasmine and spices.

You pack your bags and take a leisurely walk back along the city walls, stopping to photograph details you may have missed. A small gallery offers postcards of your memories to share with friends. You pause for a final lunch of lahmacun and ayran in a hidden courtyard.

As the sun sets, you head to the airport shuttle, reflecting on the warmth of Bağlar’s people and the richness of its heritage. The city lights begin to twinkle as you bid farewell to Diyarbakır. You carry with you the echoes of music, the taste of local dishes, and countless stories to share.