Best Halfeti Sunken City Tours in Turkey

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Quick Answer: The Halfeti Sunken City is a partially submerged town in southeastern Turkey , famous for its hauntingly beautiful stone houses and minaret rising from the turquoise waters of the Euphrates River . A typical boat tour costs $5 - $70 USD , the ideal visit duration is one full day, and the best time to go is during the spring or autumn months. What Is Halfeti Sunken City and Why Is It Famous? The Halfeti Sunken City , known in Turkish as Halfeti Batık Kenti , is a mesmerizing historical landscape where the past literally lies beneath the water's surface. Located in Turkey's Şanlıurfa province, this is not an ancient city lost to the mists of time, but a modern tragedy that created an accidental tourist marvel. The story begins with the construction of the Birecik Dam on the Euphrates River as part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). In 1999 , as the dam's reservoir began to fill, the waters slowly rose and consumed the ancient heart of the town, now known as Old Halfeti (Eski Halfeti) . What makes Halfeti so famous is this poignant and visually stunning juxtaposition. The most iconic image is the stone minaret of the Savaşan Village mosque, piercing the calm, green-blue water—a symbol of a community's submerged heritage. Visitors today don't just see ruins; they sail through a living history book. Stone houses, some with fig trees still growing from their courtyards, are visible just below the surface. The town's residents were relocated to a new settlement, Yeni Halfeti (New Halfeti) , built just 10 km away, but the soul of the old town remains in these silent, waterlogged streets. This unique atmosphere has earned Halfeti a place on the prestigious "Cittaslow" (Slow City) list, recognizing its tranquil pace of life and preserved culture. Why Should I Visit Halfeti Sunken City on My Trip to Turkey? A visit to Halfeti Sunken City is an experience unlike any ot