Adiyaman might not seem like an obvious travel destination at first glance, but its proximity to Mount Nemrut National Park changes the game entirely. We arrived in Adiyaman on a morning bus, slightly clueless about our next steps.
So, what’s the draw of Mount Nemrut? Before our trip, all I knew was that it was a mountain filled with ancient statue heads and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This alone piqued my interest. After our visit, I realized it’s indeed a mountain with impressive statue heads, but its true charm lies in the journey and the experiences along the way.
If you’re a meticulous planner, you might find traveling with me a bit exasperating. We initially tried to find a packaged tour from Istanbul to Mount Nemrut, but the flights were prohibitively expensive. So, we decided to wing it and figure things out as we went. Reaching Adiyaman felt like a small but significant victory. However, we soon discovered that public transportation to Mount Nemrut was nonexistent. We then had to choose between renting a car or joining a tour. We opted for the latter, giving us a few hours to explore Adiyaman while waiting for our tour to start.
Adiyaman itself is a typical eastern Turkish town, somewhat unremarkable at first glance. Still, there’s something endearing about these little towns—watching life unfold, seeing children play in fountains. One of my favorite travel pastimes is simply observing everyday life. In Adiyaman, where few foreigners venture, we received quite the celebrity treatment when we wandered into an open Domino’s Pizza, much to the staff’s amazement.
Karakuş Tepesi was our first tour stop. We were the only non-Turks on the bus, a fact that was both intriguing and a bit intimidating. Without understanding the guide’s instructions, we had to follow the crowd closely. When we arrived at Karakuş Tepesi, I mistakenly thought we’d reached Mount Nemrut. The large pillar there threw me off. It turned out to be Blackbird Hill, another fascinating stop on the way, shrouded in the mysteries of the civilization that lived here.
Next was the Roman Bridge, an unexpected yet sensible presence in the area. Among the remnants of ancient structures, the bridge seemed an odd fit. It was bustling with Turkish families, making me wish I had my swimsuit for a dip in the river below.
One highlight was Arsemia, the ruins of an ancient city from over 2000 years ago, once part of the Commagene Kingdom. The landscape was stunning, and the ruins were in remarkable condition. The sculptures, ancient texts, and the overarching view left a profound impression.
Before reaching Mount Nemrut, we made brief stops, mainly to stretch our legs and admire some distant ancient structures. The drive itself offered interesting scenery and occasional encounters with locals.
Finally, as the day turned to evening, we arrived at Mount Nemrut. Peaking at over 2100 feet, the mountain was dotted with ancient statue heads, some well-preserved and others showing the toll of time and tourism. The hike to the summit revealed fascinating “false peaks” made of crushed stone, sparking curiosity about what lies beneath.
Mount Nemrut’s statue heads, highlighted by the setting sun, were a breathtaking sight, enhanced by the magical light of the golden hour. It’s a view that makes the entire journey worthwhile.
The only downside was missing the last bus back to Gaziantep, stranding us in Adiyaman for the night. After some initial panic and futile attempts to leave town, we found a hotel and enjoyed some local kebabs, planning our next steps.
Practical Information:
– Getting there: Mount Nemrut is closest to Adiyaman, which has a small airport. More accessible airports are in Urfa or Gaziantep. Traveling to Adiyaman by bus is cheap and easy, but reaching Mount Nemrut requires a self-drive or a tour.
– Where to stay: Accommodation options in Adiyaman are limited. We stayed at the Hotel Grand Iskender, which was clean and comfortable but on the pricier side.
– Best times: Visit from late spring to early fall. Snow can cover the mountain until early April, and the best times for viewing are at sunrise or sunset.
