It's also possible—and legal according to military polices at the checkpoint on the road from Mardin—to wild camp on the banks of Tigris. The northern bank the one on which the village is not located seems to be more discreet, quiter, greener like a finely mown patch of lawn, and has better views of the ruins. If it's weekend, to avoid some excessive attention, just wait for the evening to arrive, so the local daytrippers from Batman leaves the place, to erect your tent. Also take usual precautions against scorpions â don't leave your tents and bags un-zipped, check your footwear before wearing them, don't remove rocks, and don't wander out of grass/humid areas at night.
If you go for a meal at one of the restaurants on stilts on the southern bank you are allowed to spend the night on the comfortable mattresses with the soothing sound of the river. Inform yourself about meal prices before you order. Menus are not necessarily available. Toilet facilities are scarce, though.
Hasbahçe Hasankeyf
Newly opened guesthouse with wireless internet access. Serves a delicious Turkish breakfast of fresh bread, homemade fig jam, feta cheese, olives and eggs. Spacious shower room available as well as bathroom with Turkish and European style toilet. You might have to ask for a sheet to cover yourself. It is not automatically provided.