Malatya

Malatya - New Mosque at the central square

Malatya is one of the biggest cities in the Eastern Anatolia region of Türkiye.

Malatya Halal Explorer

Malatya is a relatively new city by Turkish standards, although its ancient name, Malidiya, dates back to Hittites, a Bronze Age people of Anatolia.

In 1838, during a war between Ottoman Empire and the forces of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt and the Islamic Ottoman army seized what was then the town of Malatya, forcing the local population to Aspuzu and then a collection of cottages amidst the orchards in the outskirts of the town. After the war and the people decided not to return to their battered town, settling permanently in Aspuzu, and renaming it to Malatya (the abandoned old town, 10 kilometers north of the current city, was later re-populated, and is now called Battalgazi, covered in its separate article).

Today, with its population of more than 400,000 inhabitants, Malatya is the largest city of central-eastern Anatolia, where gently rolling steppes of Central Anatolia give way to heavily-rugged terrain of Eastern Anatolia. The plateau on which Malatya lies is surrounded by higher mountains, some of which are covered with orchards that produce the Apricots, for which the city is famous.

Unlike rest of Eastern Anatolia, much of the urban population speak a non-dialectical standard (Turkish), sometimes with a slight accent.

The local residents are generally friendly and helpful.

How is the Climate in Malatya

A semi-arid continental climate reigns in the area. In summers (May onwards), daytime is sunny and hot, enough to walk around comfortably in just a t-shirt, however, nights and early mornings are cool enough that you will want to pack along a jacket or a sweater.

Travel to Malatya

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Malatya

Malatya Erhaç Airport IATA Flight Code: MLX Flights leave from Istanbul and Ankara. Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, Pegasus Airlines and Onur Air have daily Flights to Malatya. If bought one month prior to the flight date, a one-way flight between Istanbul and Malatya costs between 114 and 1520 TL, depending on the company.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Malatya

Direct trains run daily from Ankara to Malatya, taking 16 hours. There are couchettes and a sleeping vehicle but no buffet. The main stops along the route are Kayseri and Sivas. Twice a week the train continues east via Elazig to Tatvan (the Vangölü Express, 10 hours), with dolmus connections to Van. Trains the other days (the Guney Kurtalan Express) continue to Diyarbakir (6 hours) and Kurtalan (9 hours). For details see Turkish railways website at tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr. The timetable and the online booking via eHalal Hotels system give different days of running for these services. A high-speed line is under construction from Ankara eastwards. This will greatly reduce journey times when the first section to Sivas opens, perhaps in 2018.

The Firat Express runs daily from Malatya, south to Adana, taking 8 hours via Gölbaşı and Osmaniye, and north to Elazig (3 hours).

Malatya's train station is some 5 kilometers northwest of the downtown, about 200 m off the intercity highway - look for the small white sign saying TCDD Gar at the roundabout with a Carrefour store at one side. Dolmuses and town bus lines #1A and #1B run frequently to the central square.

By car

Malatya can easily be reached by car, via Kayseri -Malatya motorway, which is numbered D300.

Travel on a Bus in Malatya

There are many domestic coach firms from Istanbul bus station. The coaches, reach Malatya via Ankara and the journey takes nearly 15 hours. Beydağı Turizm, Aksoğanoğlu Zafer Turizm, Kernek Turizm have at least 5 daily coaches to Malatya within the specific times of the day.

Buses from Ankara, which also shortly call at Kayseri bus station on the way, take between 9 and 11 hours depending on the service, costing 320 TL on the average. In addition to some of the local companies based in Malatya listed above, nation-wide Metro Turizm operates on this line, too.

Long-haul buses from other major centres in the nation, both regional and elsewhere alike, such as Bursa, and Van also call at and accept passengers for Malatya bus station.

Malatya's bus station (otogar) lies at the western outskirts of the city, on the highway from Kayseri and way out of downtown. Luckily, quite frequent public buses, which call at the stops on the highway in front of the station (cross the street for eastbound buses, i.e., those heading for the city), connect it with the downtown (although not all of the buses calling at that stop make it to the downtown—some proceed to the suburbs on the other side of the city via the intercity highway). The earliest public bus services start around 06:00.

The name of the bus stop in front of the otogar (as well as the administration of the station itself) is Maşti, so look for that in bus signs when getting from elsewhere in the city.

The bus station has an official tourism information office, an internet cafe open 24-hr, toilettes (which cost 0.390 TL), as well as benches which might offer a quite uncomfortable sleep if you arrive in the middle of the night. The place is calm and safe through the night with a visible presence of security officers.

How to get around in Malatya

Malatya saat kulesi - The clock tower in the downtown

The city has a wide number of public buses, some fairly modern and some quite old, easily recognizable by their flashy yellow colour and big Malatya Belediyesi ("Malatya City Council") banners on the sides. However, not every of them heads into downtown, some ply up and down the intercity highway (which is named Çevreyolu on the maps and such, literally "ring road", however it's a wide avenue through the residential neighbourhoods of the city rather than a motorway surrounding the city nowadays), which lie a few blocks north of the main street of downtown. The bus stops at the central square are called Valilik or Vilayet (both mean "Governor's Office", and it seems there is no fixed standard for it—it's feasible to see both words on bus signs), so make sure you catch one heading for there when you want to make it right to the downtown. A ride, regardless of the distance or the direction, costs 1.220 TL.

Once in the center, everywhere is easily accessible by foot as the city lies on a fairly flat ground, except for southern neighbourhoods leaning against a steep hillside, which an average traveller takes little, if any, interest anyway.

What to see in Malatya

New Mosque - Yeni Cami - A beautiful mosque built in 1912, and one of the few in Türkiye featuring three minarets. The one on the side—top of which was demolished long ago—was perhaps the minaret of an older mosque on site.

Just across the street from the New Mosque at the front yard of Governor's Office is the last standing statue of İsmet İnönü, a local of the city and the second president of Türkiye (in office 1938-1950), who was later blamed for instituting a cult of personality for himself after the death of Turkish Republic's founder, Kemal Atatürk.

From the central square, a stroll of 800 metres along the Fuzuli Caddesi (Street) will bring you to Kernek Plaza (Kernek Meydanı).

Waterfalls Park - Şelale Parkı - A park on the side of a hill with lots of water features. A man-made waterfall running through a concrete canal and getting stronger at each upper cascade is the main attraction. The park surrounds a small hydropower plant harnessing the power of the waterfall—the reason why the waterfall exists in the first place—although the plant is not open for visits. Some open-air cafes line the cascading water canal.

Museum - Müze - The waters of the waterfalls park keep running along a canal spanned by pleasant foot bridges in the leafy median strip of Hamit Feritoğlu Caddesi, unofficially known as Kanalboyu (literally "along the canal"). A stroll of about 500 metres along the Kanalboyu will bring you to another square.

On the side of the square is Hürriyet Park and the largest in the city.
At the side of the entrance of the park is a statue of Kemal Atatürk, complete with his cloak, next to a guy, presumably symbolizing Turkish youth, who is wearing nothing but a fig leaf.

Heading back to northwest from here along Kışla Caddesi—which has a beautifully landscaped wide median strip, which includes benches and palm trees (yes, palm trees. Like those that are found in tropical paradises. All thanks to legendary cold hardiness of Trachycarpus fortunei species)—you will arrive back at the central square; drawing a triangle in the city. However and there are a few more sights on the way, which might slow down your pace a bit.

Atatürk Museum - Atatürk Evi Müzesi - The historic mansion in which Kemal Atatürk stayed during his visits to the city.

There are also a number of other historic stone buildings along the Kışla Caddesi from the late Ottoman or early Republic eras, which look quite stately and impressive.
At yet another square on your way and there is an old-looking clock tower, which actually was built recently but is nice anyway.

Outer neighbourhoods

There is a large park east of the city, on the highway to Elazig|Elazığ with a large pond and distant views of the Battalgazi#Go next|Karakaya Dam lake. Minibuses and public buses heading for Üniversite pass by the entrance of it.
Northwest of the downtown (on Boztepe Caddesi a block north of intercity highway-çevreyolu) and there is a ruined Armenian church that is, well, ruined. Only its outer walls are standing and the neighbourhood in which it stands seems to be a somewhat rough one, so a distant look from the highway might suffice unless you have a special interest in the Armenian legacy of the region.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Malatya

Visit during the Malatya International Arts and Apricot Festival in July.
Go to Malatya Park AVM (shopping mall) and the largest mall in eastern Türkiye. An ice skating rink and a movie theater with subtitled films are also available there.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Malatya

Halal Food & Restaurants

The city is known for huge Apricots orchards of the surrounding countryside, and it's feasible to sample a number of local products based on Apricots, from the usual dried Apricots to highly unique shish Halal Kebabs with grilled Apricots].

There are a number of cafes along the Kanalboyu, some of which serve hookah (nargile).

Nostalji Cafe - Housed in a two-floor historic building, this is the place to try traditional drinks such as Turkish Coffee, sahlep, or kefir.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Malatya

Malatya - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Malatya, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Malatya. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Malatya and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Malatya. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Malatya. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMalatya: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Malatya.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Malatya: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Malatya, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Malatya.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Malatya, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Malatya, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Malatya and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Malatya, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Malatya, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Malatya without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Malatya is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Malatya.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Malatya is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Malatya, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Malatya Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Murat Palancı Oteli Turgut Temelli Cad. No: 26 Malatya; +90-422-3251003
Yeni Butik Oteli Yeni Camii Karşısı Zafer iş Hanı No:1 Malatya; +90-3231424
Otel Avşar
Bezginler Hotel Çevreyolu Adliye Kavşağı
Ramada Plaza Malatya Altin Kayisi

Telecommunications in Malatya

The area code of Malatya is (+90) 422.

There is an internet cafe on the junction of Kernek Plaza and Fuzuli Caddesi, opposite the Waterfalls Park.

Stay Safe

Cope in Malatya

News & References Malatya

Travel Next

Battalgazi — the original site of the city of Malatya, Battalgazi has some remnants from its past, including the beautiful Seljuk-built Great Mosque
Elazig|Elazığ — another regional city to northeast, surrounded by mountains and lakes; hub for visiting the old town of Harput
Kahta|Mount Nemrut — Malatya can be a convenient hub to the well-known sacred mountain, topped by head statues devoted to ancient Gods. During spring and summer, you can join the daily trips starting from the tourism information centre in the city hall (Vilayet).
Darende — historic town to west with traces of past civilizations
Kayseri — several hours to west, Kayseri is a good hub for visits to Cappadocia, or onward trips to Ankara and the national capital