Aside from the spectacular heritage sites, thousands of caves exist in the cliffs that surround the city with old shepherd paths through narrow side canyons and along the tops of towering limestone cliffs. Many of the caves are multi-storied and water-supplied. Until the 1970s many families still lived in the ancient cliff dwellings signposted MaÄaralar along the river, but now there aren't more than a few inhabitants. Churches and mosques were also carved into the cliffs and numerous ancient cemeteries exist throughout the area as well.
The great thing about Hasankeyf is that the lack of Western tourists â and pretty much anyone at all â really makes you feel that you're pretty off-the-beaten track. Find a local guide to take you on some of the trails carved into the rock with beautiful views of the valley.
