Göbeklitepe Hosted 709,000 Visitors in 2024
Göbeklitepe, located in Şanlıurfa and dating back 12,000 years, is considered the “zero point of history” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2024, the archaeological site was visited by 709,643 people.
When it first opened to visitors in 2018, parts of the site were closed for construction work on an upper protection roof, and about 70,000 people visited during that period. After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared 2019 as the “Year of Göbeklitepe,” the site welcomed 412,378 visitors. Due to the pandemic, the number of visitors fell short of expectations in 2020, with only 197,912 people visiting. However, in 2021, Göbeklitepe attracted 567,453 visitors, reaching its highest number in four years. In 2022, the site set a new record by hosting 850,000 visitors, but the number decreased to 317,253 in 2023 due to the devastating earthquakes and floods in the region.
In 2024, Göbeklitepe ranked among the most visited museums and archaeological sites in Turkey, attracting 709,643 visitors.
“A Great Excitement to Visit”
Müslüm Çoban, a board member of the Tourist Guides Associations Union, stated that tourism in Şanlıurfa and the surrounding region was very successful and productive in 2024. He pointed out that the tourism industry struggled in 2023 due to the impacts of the earthquake, flood, and the closure of museums but that 2024 saw a significant recovery. Çoban noted that the increase in visitor numbers was partly due to the ongoing “Stone Hills Project” and emphasized that both domestic and international tourists were eager to visit Göbeklitepe.
“People have been excited to come and visit. Some visitors even came again after seeing the site previously. In particular, the International Neolithic Congress held in November in Şanlıurfa greatly boosted international interest in Göbeklitepe. We are very hopeful for 2025, as we know that international tourism agencies and visitors are eager to come to Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and the Stone Hills Project following the congress.”
“Targeting 1.5 Million Visitors in 2025”
Çoban added that Göbeklitepe’s success has positively impacted local tourism businesses and shop owners. He expressed his optimism for 2025, stating that the target was to exceed 1.5 million visitors. He mentioned that the Neolithic Congress in November increased the global awareness of Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and the Stone Hills Project. With high-level promotions from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Presidency, they aim to attract more tourists from around the world in 2025, particularly through international fairs.
“A Place Everyone Should Visit”
Hüseyin Özdemir, who came from Adana to visit Göbeklitepe with guests from Istanbul and Konya, described the site as an important location. He remarked, “We came with our guests, and we saw the remains from 12,000 years ago. It’s a place everyone must visit. The atmosphere is wonderful. You cannot truly understand Göbeklitepe by watching it online or on TV—you need to come here and experience the atmosphere yourself. There’s a lot of effort involved, and of course, the work needs to continue.”
