Tourexpi
Regarded
as the world’s oldest temple and often referred to as the “zero point of
history,” Göbeklitepe is situated in Şanlıurfa’s Haliliye district,
approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the city center, near the rural
village of Örencik.
Although
first noted during surface surveys in 1963, it wasn’t until 1986—when a local
farmer discovered a statue while plowing—that the site’s true significance
began to unfold. Official excavations began in 1995 under the guidance of the
Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Archaeologists unearthed massive
T-shaped megaliths from the Neolithic period, standing between 3 and 6 meters
(10–20 feet) tall and weighing up to 60 tons.
These
discoveries catapulted Göbeklitepe into the spotlight, earning it a place on
UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2011 and full World Heritage status in 2018. The
site opened to visitors in 2019, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
declaring it the “Year of Göbeklitepe” to mark the occasion.
Despite
interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating earthquake
and flood disasters of 2023, Göbeklitepe has welcomed a total of 3,645,023
visitors between 2019 and the first half of 2025. Yearly visitor numbers were:
2019:
412,378
2020:
197,912
2021:
567,453
2022:
837,811
2023:
512,164
2024:
731,794
2025
(first half): 385,511
A
must-see on every Şanlıurfa itinerary
Aydın
Aslan, head of Şanlıurfa’s Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism,
emphasized that Göbeklitepe is now a central destination for tourists visiting
the region.
“The
UNESCO designation has elevated Göbeklitepe to the heart of tourism in
Şanlıurfa,” said Aslan. “Every tour that comes to the city includes a visit to
this extraordinary site. Its significance will only grow as a driver of both
regional and national cultural tourism in the years ahead.”
Aslan
also highlighted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s international outreach
efforts, including the exhibition “Göbeklitepe: The Enigma of a Sacred Place”
held at the Colosseum in Rome.
“The
exhibition ran for six months and attracted over six million visitors,” he
noted. “It created immediate interest in the site. Many who visited the
Colosseum exhibit have since come to Şanlıurfa to see Göbeklitepe in person.”
Ahmet
Yazdağ, a visitor from Australia, shared his enthusiasm:
“I
work at a hospital in Australia, and even there, many doctors are eager to
visit Göbeklitepe. I truly hope they get the chance. Şanlıurfa is absolutely
worth the journey.”
Image
Credit: © AA
The most interesting news


Wonderful Indonesia Unveils the Beauty of Its Top Destinations Across Rome with Open Bus Campaign
Wonderful Indonesia, the official tourism campaign of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, is showcasing the country’s breathtaking destinations in the heart of Rome throughout the month of July.


Emirates Inaugurates Its Reimagined Travel Store in Seoul
An innovative space offering personalized service and iconic Emirates experiences on display.


From Hot Springs to Skiing: TUI Expands Hotel Portfolio in China
TUI Group continues to expand its presence in Asia with the announcement of its sixth hotel in China.


Christian Charnaux Joining Hilton as Chief Development Officer
Hilton (NYSE:HLT) has announced that Christian Charnaux will rejoin the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer.


Between the Saar and the Loire – CroisiEurope Explores New River Worlds
CroisiEurope is expanding its focus on lesser-known waterways and now offers river cruises on rarely navigated rivers such as the Saar, Loire, and Garonne.


Marriott International Signs Landmark Seven-Hotel Deal with Ventive Hospitality
Marriott International, Inc. has signed a landmark agreement with Ventive Hospitality to develop seven new hotels across India and Sri Lanka, comprising 1,548 rooms across five distinct brands.


Emirates Launches Seasonal Strawberry Menu
Emirates is marking the arrival of strawberry season by introducing a special seasonal strawberry menu on flights between Dubai and the UK this July. Celebrating the quintessential British summer fruit, the limited-time menu will be available from 14


Oceania Cruises Takes Delivery of Eighth Luxury Ship, Oceania Allura
Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, has officially taken delivery of its eighth elegant boutique ship, Oceania Allura™.


Marella Cruises Announces First-Ever Musical-Themed Mini Cruise ‘Musical Med-leys’ for Winter 2026
Marella Cruises, TUI’s UK cruise line, has announced its first-ever musical-themed mini cruise, ‘Musical Med-leys’, set to take place on board the Marella Voyager in October 2026. The themed voyage will feature musical-style performances inspir


2025 'Shanghai Summer' Launches with Smart City Integration and Multicultural Appeal
Shanghai has officially launched the 2025 "Shanghai Summer" International Consumption Season, presenting over 300 initiatives to attract international travelers and boost spending. The campaign strengthens the city’s role as a global consumption an


Village to the World: Thai Communities Step onto the Global ESG Stage
The “Village to the World” initiative is redefining sustainable development in Thailand by placing local communities at the forefront of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) transformation.


Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Signs Protocol with Turkish Airlines and AJet
TRNC President Ersin Tatar: "These steps will enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector".


Emirates Reveals Top Summer 2025 Travel Destinations Based on Search Trends
As summer travel surges to new heights, Emirates has released fresh insights based on booking data and global search patterns, revealing the most sought-after destinations for July and August 2025.


Summer Begins in the Alps: ROBINSON FIEBERBRUNN Opens Its Doors
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pillersee Valley in Tyrol, the new ROBINSON FIEBERBRUNN resort has officially opened, marking the fourth Austrian destination in the premium club provider’s portfolio.


The Emirates Group Showcases Collaborative Sustainability Initiatives in Aviation
The Emirates Group reaffirmed its commitment to environmental responsibility at its annual sustainability event, Tomorrow Takes Flight, aligning with this year’s UN global theme to #BeatPlasticPollution.


Turkish Airlines Offers Free Film Studio Tours in Istanbul for Transit Passengers
Turkish Airlines, Türkiye’s national flag carrier, is offering complimentary tours of Istanbul for international passengers with layovers of six to 24 hours at IGA Istanbul Airport.


Agoda Sees Increase in Indian Travel to Southeast Asia as Visa Rules Relax
Travel opportunities for Indian passport holders are expanding rapidly thanks to a wave of relaxed visa policies across Southeast Asia.


Condor becomes strategic partner of Eintracht Frankfurt
The adventure begins: Condor is now the new strategic partner of Eintracht Frankfurt with immediate effect.


Beachcombing for Souvenirs? Often Prohibited – and Sometimes Heavily Fined
Whether it’s seashells, stones, or a bit of sand, many holidaymakers like the idea of bringing home a little piece of the beach. But what seems harmless can lead to legal trouble in certain countries.


Rome to welcome the world for WTTC’s 25th Global Summit
Global tourism leaders, government ministers, and Italian icons to unite in the Eternal City this September.


Marella Cruises launches All Inclusive Cruise Calculator to help British travellers get the best val
Marella Cruises, the ocean cruise line operated by TUI UK & Ireland, has launched a new All Inclusive Cruise Calculator to help British holidaymakers understand the value of cruising and make more informed choices this summer.
