Gaziantep is a city in Southeastern Anatolia. It's Turkey's fifth largest city, with a population of 1,700,000 in 2022, and its best-known attraction is the collection of Roman mosaics from Zeugma. The city was badly damaged in the earthquake of 2023 but less so than other nearby towns, so it acted as a hub for the relief effort.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Ain means a well or spring, and Aintep was a fortress on the site of the present castle since around 1500 BC. It was an outlying town of the city of Dülük 12 km north, until that was destroyed in a 14th century earthquake. Aintep then came to the fore: it was on trade routes and had occasional spells of prosperity but was wrecked again and again by warfare and yet more earthquakes. The last battles came in the aftermath of the First World War, when the victorious Great Powers seized territory from the defeated Ottoman Empire. The British occupied Aintep in 1918/19 then handed it over to the French: for both it was a sideshow to their main target the Mesopotamian oilfields.
Gaziantep is a sprawling city but you can walk to most places of interest. Gaziulaş is the city transport combine, running some 70 bus routes, three tram lines and Gaziray commuter trains. Pay by bank card as you get on. The most useful tram for visitors is T1 (red line), from near the railway station to the north through the central districts to the south. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.
1 Archaeology Museum, İstasyon Cd 2, ☏ +90 342 324 8809. Closed. Prehistoric works, but the Roman mosaics are now in the Zeugma museum, It was damaged in the earthquake and remains closed to visits. (updated Apr 2026) 2 War Museum, Derekenarı Cd 39, ☏ +90 342 211 1200. Daily 08:30-17:00. Panoramic display of the War of Independence. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Gaziantep Castle, Naip Hamamı Sk 1. Closed. First built by the Romans, this castle was a major battle ground during World War I and Turkish War of Independence. The museum within showcases this history and there are great views from the ramparts. But it was badly damaged in the 2023 earthquake and the interior is closed for restoration.
Hammams are traditional Turkish baths. There's a dozen around city centre, such as Tabak Hamami on Halil Cami Sk east side of the castle. Demokrasi Meydanı is the central plaza and park, on Istasyon Cd a block west of the castle. Football: Gaziantep FK play soccer in Süper Lig the top tier. Gaziantep Stadium (capacity 30,000) is north edge of the city.
Antep kebabı is the spicy local kebab. Wash it down with ayran yoghurt. Lahmacun is minced, marinated, spiced meat with minced vegetables on a thin crunchy dough. Elsewhere it may use onions, but here it's always with garlic. Dolma and sarma are vegetables wrapped in vine leaves. Much of Turkey's pistachio crop is grown locally, so they're known as Antep fıstığı, "the nut of Antep". They're best when roasted and seasoned with salt or with spices. Baklava from Gaziantep is highly rated.
A Birahane is a beer-house, a good spot for a quiet drink. They cluster mid-town along Atatürk Blv. Many cafes serving alcohol are fronts for the sex industry. You might notice the security at the door; still you saunter innocently in, glance at the menu and order kofta. There's then a murmuring at the back of the room and a phone call: "Tell Gypsy Girl we got a fellow here wanting the Number 17, y'know, the kofta."
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Gaziantep typically sees ~38°C daytime highs and 1 rainy days.
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