Visitors rush to Halfeti lying in middle of steppe

Despite being located in the middle of the southeastern steppe, Şanlıurfa's Halfeti district, which is like a coastal city thanks to the Birecik Dam Lake, attracts the attention of visitors who wish to spend time in nature.

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Submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, a part of which was built on the Euphrates, Halfeti is included in the "calm city" network by the Cittaslow International Coordination Committee in 2013, fascinating people with its calm and peaceful feature.

Also described as the "hidden paradise" of the southeast with its historical stone houses and natural beauties, the district is visited by both local and foreign tourists.

With boat tours in the dam lake, visitors have the opportunity to see the "sunken city," which is mostly underwater; Rumkale, which has been home to many civilizations; a minaret of the mosque that remained underwater; and the Savaşan district, where there are many abandoned old buildings.

The district was visited by a small number of tourists last year due to the COVID-19 measures. But this year, visitors have been rushing to the district to spend time in nature, especially away from crowded environments.

In the district, where it is almost impossible to find a place, especially on weekends, in hotels, boat tours and restaurants, meters long queues of vehicles can be seen despite a new parking area created.

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Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Halfeti District Governor Selami Korkutata said that Halfeti has been a shining tourism destination in the region for the past 10 years.

Korkutata stated that Halfeti has an important place in the tours organized to the region, adding, "Before the pandemic, the number of visitors had reached 1 million people....

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