A growing number of travellers, especially Gen Z, are looking to visit places rich in history and unique geographical marvels. Travel in 2026 has become more than just visiting popular city breaks and destinations.
Off-the-beaten-path and less explored destinations are on the cards for the rest of the year, with Google searches showing a breakout in interest. One city in Turkey has attracted particular attention. Before you guess, it is not the one known for hot air balloons or the Blue Mosque. Instead, it is a sunken city that dates back 3,000 years.
In the early 2000s, much of Halfeti disappeared beneath the Euphrates following intentional flooding for the construction of the Birecik Dam. Submerged streets, deserted stone structures, a mosque minaret rising from the water, and the uncommon karagül rose, whose buds can appear nearly black, can all be found at Halfeti in southeast Turkey.
The Cittaslow location, which was previously less visited by foreign tourists, is now aiming to welcome thousands of visitors in 2026 and beyond, making it one of Turkey’s most fascinating historical destinations. Today, tourists from around the world take boat tours to see its sunken stone houses, partially submerged mosque minarets, and waterside ruins.
Halfeti should be the final stop on your Turkey itinerary, offering plenty to discover for those looking to experience more than just a city break.
- Architectural highlights. You can cruise through Old Halfeti to witness one of the city’s most significant architectural landmarks, the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), built between 1804 and 1807.
- Rare flora. If you are a fan of horticulture and flowers, you can spend some time admiring the world-famous and rare Karagül, the black roses that grow indigenously only in Halfeti.
- Ancient fortresses. Travel further by boat to visit Rumkale, a historic fortress on the Euphrates River, close to Halfeti. It features traces of Urartian, Babylonian, Sumerian, Seljuk, and Ottoman civilisations.
How to reach Halfeti from Istanbul
The experts at Rome2Rio share how to reach Halfeti from Istanbul, Turkey’s beautiful megacity, using different routes. The comparison highlights the trade-offs between cost, speed, and mode of transport, helping travellers choose a journey that suits their preferences. While there are many ways to reach this unique town, each route offers a different experience beyond the final destination.
For the culture enthusiasts
Train + bus + taxi | 16 hours 35 minutes | £78–£97.
Beginning in Istanbul, travellers can take the Marmaray rail from Yenikapi – Pendik, then a high-speed train to Sivas, a bus to Gaziantep, and finally a taxi for the last 57 miles to Halfeti. This route’s charm lies in its ability to transform a lengthy transfer into a cultural experience. Sivas boasts a historic centre full of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, while the wider province also features places such as Divriği Great Mosque and Darüşşifa, the Double Minaret Madrasa, and Sivas Grand Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia.
For the food lovers
Bus + taxi | 18 hours 26 minutes | £77–£104.
This route starts with a quick bus ride from Istanbul Otogari – Samandira Tesis, followed by a long-distance bus to Gaziantep, which takes about 16 hours. The final 57 miles to Halfeti are then covered by taxi. A treat for food lovers, Gaziantep is known as Turkey’s culinary capital and has even been officially recognised by UNESCO for its gastronomy. Rather than travelling straight to the final destination, travellers can use the city as an interesting stopover to explore its culinary scene and local markets, spend time at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the biggest mosaic museum in the world, and then continue to Halfeti.
For those who prefer overland travel
Bus + taxi | 17 hours 51 minutes | £51–£66.
This route is a good option for visitors seeking a more budget-friendly journey by land. It begins at Istanbul’s Esenler bus station, with a long-distance coach to Askoc Dogu rest station in Sehitkamil, Gaziantep, followed by a taxi ride for the final stretch to Halfeti. Taking almost 18 hours in total, the route allows tourists to experience the changing landscapes as they travel from Istanbul towards southeast Anatolia rather than flying over Turkey.
By the start of 2027, Turkey is also planning to test its upcoming 312 km high-speed railway from Mersin – Gaziantep, which could make journeys towards southeastern Turkey quicker. The new line is expected to cut the Mersin to Gaziantep journey from about 6.5 hours – 2 hours 15 minutes.