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Mardin is a very interesting city in the East of Turkey. There are a lot of places to visit for a person who loves history, culture and tasty food. People who live there are different: Turks, Kurds, Syriacs. The city is quite friendly and calm. There are a lot of must-visit places in the city center. It is also interesting to visit the close cities, like Midyat, Sanliurfa, Gobekli Tepe. But I advice not to go in winter. This time it had started to snow right before the flight. So it was cancelled, the airport was closed for 2 days, as it was no ready for the weather somehow.

Highly recommend visiting Mardin. There is a lot to see in the region and would be great if visitors have a car (but there are tours that can be arranged within the old city). I recommend to stay in the old city and enjoy what is there, but there are monasteries in the surrounding region which are must sees. There is also an ancient city of Dara near the border. There is no issue with safety as it is a very safe region; visitors should not hesitate.

Mardin is an absolute gem. Loved my trip here, although 2 nights wasn't long enough to explore all the viewpoints and I didn't have enough time to get to Midyat, or even the nearby monasteries. Mardin is a town rich in fascinating history with a mix of cultures. Locals are friendly and relaxed and I didn't experience any hassle when wandering round the streets and lanes solo. The sunsets were amazing, even after rain, and the views across the plains towards Syria will stay with me forever. Wish I'd stayed longer, it's a very special place! My Mardin photos are on Shutterstock: Sarah Lois

It was an incredible experience to see Mardin the history and the architecture of the ancient city mixed with different religions and ethnic groups living together in harmony with each other clean city great people amazing cuisine and tasty food. To summit up mezopotamia was amazing.

Meandering the old town, taking in the atmosphere and new beauty you find around every single corner. Dining on the 1. Cadde is great, though the street can be a bit of a tourist trap. Don't forget to see the Dara historical site (Anastasiopolis Roman settlement and caves) as its mostly free. And spot the old pagan room (for Baal) under the Syriac saffran monastry. Nothing, however, compares to Hasankeyf half a day from Mardin. As far as I am concerned, the true wonder of South east Turkey, bound to be flooded due to a dam in the Tigris river. But even after the flooding, do see the immense beauty of its monuments, that have been moved to higher grounds.

Mardin is a provincial capital and an ancient town built of sandstone with some interesting old buildings, including the medieval Sultan Isa Medresesi (1385), Kasim Pasha Medresesi (1400s), the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque, 1000s), the Post Office building, now a University touristic development and a rambling bazaar. It is essential to visit the Saffron Monastery (Deyrul Zafaran), 6 km (4 miles) to the east. This was a holy place even in pre-Christian times. The monastery has been here since 495 AD. Some of its existing floor mosaics are 1500 years old. The local Museum in Mardin is very impressive for the size of the city. It should not be missed. Mardin city is walkable.