Göbeklitepe expands access as visitor numbers grow
ŞANLIURFA
Infrastructure improvements are underway at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Göbeklitepe to accommodate rising visitor numbers, including expanded road access and redesigned walking routes.
Described as the “zero point of history,” Göbeklitepe is located 18 kilometers from central Şanlıurfa near the rural neighborhood of Örencik. First identified during archaeological surveys in 1963, the prehistoric site has become one of Türkiye’s most popular archaeological destinations, attracting around 1 million visitors annually.
Authorities are continuing investments to increase the site’s capacity. A previously single-lane road serving both directions is being widened into a dual carriageway, while pedestrian pathways around the archaeological area are being expanded, made accessible for visitors with disabilities and extended to nearly twice their previous length.
