Gaziantep Travel Notes

The moment you set foot in Gaziantep, you realize that this city warms your heart not only with its food but also with its texture. Even just wandering through the narrow streets of the bazaar early in the morning and listening to the rich sounds of the coppersmiths is an experience in itself. Then you find yourself in Elmacı Pazarı, surrounded by colorful spices, and you just want to stay there and smell them. If you want to cool off in the afternoon, you can sit in the courtyard of a han and sip your menengiç coffee, then lose track of time at the Zeugma Museum. By the end of the day, you can spend hours at a table set with the countless delicacies of the Gaziantep cuisine. Time in this city doesn’t move quickly; it’s flavorful, peaceful, and profound. If you’re thinking of adding a new destination to your itinerary and want somewhere that appeals to your eyes, your palate, and your soul, Gaziantep might just be the place you’re looking for.

Places to Visit and See in Gaziantep

First, for a walk-coffee in the historical center; we start from Köprübaşı Street on the Antep Culture Road. We find ourselves in small elegant streets, churches, mosques, bazaars and the smell of mind-blowing aromas. Time seems to have stopped in this part of the world.
We understand how food, history, culture, people and music feed each other much better when we visit the Archaeology Museum. We admire Boyacı Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Antep, Ahmet Çelebi Mosque, whose woodwork we love, Kendirli Church built by Catholics in the 1860s, Saklı Konak Ali Atalar Collection, Zeugma Mosaic Museum and Emine Göğüş Gaziantep Kitchen Museum.
After wandering around all four corners, we drink dibek and menengiç coffee at Tahmis Kahvesi (17th century) and eat the mixed nuts that come with it.
Another subject of interest for us folklorists: the bazaars of Antep, a cocoon of handicrafts. In the bazaars such as Almacı Bazaar, Kürkçü Han, Bakırçılar Bazaar, Saraciyeciler Bazaar, we come across the most unique examples of the crafts of Yemeni, mother-of-pearl, coppersmith, kutnuc, aba weaving, silver embroidery, Antep rugs, küpçülük, saddlery. Be sure to visit the Copper Market, War Museum, Gaziantep Castle, Almacı Market, Zincirli Bedesten, Toy Museum, Historic Tobacco Market, Historic Bey Neighborhood Streets, and Panorama 25 December Museum.

Gaziantep Food and Drink Recommendations

• Wherever you stay, apart from the hotel breakfast, go to Ayyuş Hanım Mansion for a difference, our other recommendation is Orkide patisserie.
• When it's time for dinner, we taste the dishes reflecting the land at Yesemek Restaurant (local flavors are great in Yesemek), Küşlemeci Mehmet Usta, Hışvahan and Culinary Arts Center.
• Küşleme at Halil Usta (but closed on Sundays),

• Every item can be eaten at Chulcuoglu, our other recommendations are Bayazhan (it is necessary to make a reservation for a dinner at Bayazhan, very very good cleaning, food
• Metanet has Beyran,
• Zekeriya Usta'da Katmer,

• Baklava at Koçak's,
• All the flavors of Imam Çağdaş
• Omer Güllü Baklava Ömer Güllü Baklava and Gümrük Han must be enjoyed...I recommend double-colored dibek coffee at coffee shop Seddar Bey in Gümrük Han.
• Chickpea wraps in Gaziantep are also delicious, must try 
• Be sure to try Ünal Katmer and Beyran Meat Restaurant in Sanayiye for breakfast and beyran.
• Breakfast at Kahvaltım Şarküteresi in İbrahimli and roasted meat at Bişiricide in Emek are also recommended. You can also eat katmer and küşleme at Küşleme Kebap Han.
• Gaziantep's oldest lahmac restaurant Çıtır Lahmacun is legendary, Köşk Kebap serves roasted liver and Kebapçı Yalçın Yesemek serves local and completely Antep cuisine,
• Breakfast at Ekin patisserie.
• You should also taste the lemon kebab at the Gar restaurant.

How to Get to Gaziantep?

Getting to Gaziantep is quite easy. You can reach Gaziantep Airport with connecting or direct flights from both domestic and international destinations. The airport is located approximately 20 kilometers from the city center. For those who prefer to travel by road, there are bus services to Gaziantep from almost every province in Turkey. Those arriving by bus can easily reach the city center from Gaziantep Bus Terminal, which is approximately 6 kilometers away, by taking municipal buses or minibuses. For those considering the railway option, there are regular train services from cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Bilecik, and Malatya.

Gaziantep Accommodation Recommendations

Asude Konak: An intimate and warm environment where you can breathe in the historical texture of Gaziantep. Stone walls, bay windows, and the silence of the courtyard make you forget you are in the city. A small but special mansion where you will feel at home.
Zeynep Hanım Konağı: On one side, traditional Antep architecture; on the other, comfortable accommodation. Waking up at Zeynep Hanım Konağı means sipping your morning coffee in the stone courtyard and starting the day immersed in history. The breakfast is especially legendary.
Sirehan Hotel: This magnificent structure, once a caravanserai, is now one of Gaziantep's most impressive hotels. With its stone arches, high ceilings, and courtyard, it blends the elegance of the past with modern comfort. Both centrally located and atmospheric, it is unforgettable.

Details for accommodation on the blog http://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Gaziantep-Hotels