Car & Van Hire - Diyarbakir

Visitors to Diyarbakir will find plenty to keep them occupied during their stay. The city was added to the Turkish Culture Road Festivals roster, and this annual event, organised by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, brings together more than 1,500 artists from the fields of film, literature and art.

If you're thinking about car hire in Diyarbakir, there are plenty of cultural attractions to add to your itinerary. Diyarbakir itself is partially enclosed by historic city walls that date back to the mediaeval period. In fact, it's the second longest structure of its kind, with only the Great Wall of China being bigger. The Great Mosque of Diyarbakir is also worth a visit. Built in the 1000s, the mosque is one of the oldest in the entire country.

History lovers will also find plenty of museums in Diyarbakir. The Archaeological Museum is host to exhibitions displaying pieces from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. You'll also find displays of artefacts from the Neolithic era.

Diyarbakir Stadium is home to no less than two professional soccer teams. If you're in town for a while, it's worth seeing if you can grab a ticket to see Diyarbakirspor or Amed SK in action.

One of the biggest joys of this part of the world is its mouthwatering cuisine. In Diyarbakir, local menus are dominated by lamb dishes. Start the day off with a breakfast kebab made with tender lamb's liver, or opt for a vegetarian-friendly alternative like bulgur patties. Duvakli pilav is another local delicacy, combining minced meat with layers of rice and sweet ground almonds. On warmer days, seek out a salad. Bostana salatasi is a famous dish in this region, offering a flavourful blend of green pepper, parsley and pomegranate molasses.

Looking to escape to nature? With car and van hire in Diyarbakir, you can. The Tigris River runs along the eastern border of Diyarbakir, with many quiet spots serving as the place for a picnic or lazy afternoon. The vast and fertile Hevsel Gardens are also worth a visit if you're looking for an antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life.

Visiting with the kids? Make the most of car hire in Diyarbakir by heading to family-friendly attractions like Medland Luna Park or Dicle Aqua Park. With rollercoasters, bumper cars and pendulum rides galore, visitors of all ages are catered for.

It's easy to explore the best that Turkey has to offer with a car hire in Diyarbakir. The Southwest Ring Road was opened in 2022, helping alleviate congestion throughout the city. The E99 and the D950 both offer convenient connections for visitors heading into Diyarbakir while also serving as gateways to surrounding Southeastern Anatolia. If you're planning a road trip and want to explore neighbouring cities, Turkey's motorway system, the Otoyol network, offers toll-only routes that can slash your journey times considerably.

In Turkey, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. If it's your first time behind the wheel in this country, you'll also want to familiarise yourself with the Turkish Highway Code. When overtaking, you'll need to approach from the left. However, overtaking is forbidden in parts of Turkey, so pay close attention to any nearby signs prohibiting it. Overtaking and passing are also forbidden if you're driving at an intersection, a level crossing, a bridge or a tunnel. Speed limits are also enforced throughout the country. In Turkey, it's illegal to use GPS alert systems to preempt speed cameras.

While the ring road has alleviated urban traffic in Diyarbakir, you'll want to avoid driving in the city during the early morning and early evening. City centre traffic peaks during the hours of 07:00-09:00. If you can avoid heading out of town during these hours, do so. Likewise, roads and city intersections become particularly busy from 17:00-19:00.

You won't struggle to find parking in and around Diyarbakir. There are many parking spots scattered around, although paying for your parking works a little differently in this part of the world. You'll find several places offering metered parking, but some won't offer ticketing machines. Instead, look for a parking attendant after leaving your vehicle. They'll tell you how much you owe, and you'll need to make payment directly to them. Don't be afraid to ask for ID to ensure you're dealing with a registered official. Parking fees are relatively cheap in Diyarbakir, while many hotels offer off-street parking for free to paying guests.

Standard speed limits apply in Diyarbakir. When driving in the city, you'll need to keep your speed below 50 km/h. Beyond the city limits, maximum speeds of 90 km/h are allowed, rising to 120 km/h on motorways.