Car & Van Hire - Kahramanmaras

Kahramanmaras' history dates back to the Hittite kingdom of 12 BCE, and it still has artefacts from that era. You can take a trip back in time at the Archaeological Museum, where Domuztepe and Hopaz Hoyuk artefacts are on display. The archaeology hall covers every era in its history, from the prehistoric age all the way to the Byzantine Period.

Kahramanmaras Castle is perhaps the city's greatest pride. It rises out of the mountains over a secret tunnel. Nature lovers can take advantage of its position on the many hiking trails in the area.

Kahramanmaras' most celebrated trail covers 10 kilometres of wooded Kargacayiri land. This is a challenging hike, so if you're not used to covering tough terrain, you might prefer one of the easier Agcali Park routes. There are several routes to take, including two short trails for those with disabilities. Better yet, you can take your pooch along for the adventure, as this is a dog-friendly area.

Everything you do in Kahramanmaras will be prefaced by calls to prayer from the many mosques in the city. Abdulhamid Han Camii is among its most beautiful, particularly at night. A one-hour tour will expose you to its exquisite architecture. This is one of Turkey's oldest mosques, so it's well worth the trip.

If you've arranged a car rental in Kahramanmaras, a road trip through the Baskonus Yaylasi National Park is a bucket list item. Its wide-open fields are perfect for casual walks, but it also offers challenging rock-climbing opportunities. During the winter, you'll even be able to do some skiing.

The Dulkadiroglu Hayvanat Bahçesi is a delight for young and old tourists alike. It's located across the road from the adventure park and offers picturesque barbecue spots. This peaceful spot will help you to get in touch with Mother Nature while your children enjoy the recreational area.

Turkey is passionate about food, so no Kahramanmaras is complete without some yummy dishes. Local cuisine has a Mediterranean flavour, but it's enriched by Kahramanmaras' unique variety of chilli pepper. Many enthusiasts consider it one of the world's best. The city is also famous for its ice cream, which is thick enough to cut with a knife. It's uniquely resistant to melting and is prepared with aromatic goat milk. You can't consider your food tour complete until you've visited the Marasta Dondurma Shop. Once you've had your fill, take a detour past the Dondurma Muzesi to learn about this creamy treat's history.

Kahramanmaras is served by the D825 in the northwest, which travels along its outer borders before branching out of the city via its southern border. If you're travelling in from the east, the D835 offers picturesque vistas and well-maintained roads.

Like many older cities, the inner city roads meander in unexpected ways, so this isn't a region you'll want to drive in without GPS. The weather brings its own challenges. Flooding is common during rainy season, but don't be tempted to drive through it. Keep a slow driving pace and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the car in front of you.

If you have a van rental in Kahramanmaras, you won't have to work around much congestion. The city generally experiences light traffic, even on the D825 heading inbound. There is light congestion to the left of the D825, so take a detour on Turgut Ozal Boulevard. The southeastern part of town can also be somewhat problematic, but if you stick to outlying roads as much as possible, you can expect an easy trip.

Turkey is famous for its narrow lanes, which can be difficult to navigate. We suggest you avoid them wherever possible. The infrastructure tends to lag in these areas, and potholes are a frequent occurrence.

There's a fair amount of parking throughout the city. Vandalism and theft are relatively common, so choose a closed, guarded lot. The northern part of the city is crammed with empty parking spaces, but if you're looking for something more secure, you might want to try the lot attached to the Special Administration Business Centre on Ismet Pasa. Kahramanmaras' narrow roads are often blocked by double-parked cars, so avoid the street parking. Other drivers could park you in and hold your vehicle hostage for hours.

If you notice that cars are beeping at you at the traffic lights, don't interpret it as impatience. The lights are difficult to see if you've pulled all the way up to the line. Your Turkish hosts are merely indicating that the light has changed in case it isn't visible to you. You can avoid the issue entirely by drawing to a stop further back.

Kahramanmaras' speed limits bounce between two extremes: Either there are no signs whatsoever, or the limit changes several times within one short street. It's best to internalise the limits, so stick to 120 km/h on highways and 90km/h on double-lane roads. Within the city, maintain a speed of 50 km/h.