Stand on Atatürk Cd — the street most locals still call Kışla Caddesi — and you can take in the late Ottoman clocktower, the mansion where Kemal Atatürk stayed on his visits to the city, and the entrance to Hürriyet Park within a short walk. Malatya's centre is compact and best covered on foot, with the older quarters and the riverside strip south of the centre filling out a full day.
The city suits travellers interested in layers of Anatolian history, in the apricot harvest that gives Malatya its nickname, and in an unhurried look at a regional Turkish city rather than a resort. Note that the 2023 earthquake reshaped parts of the centre, and a few sites remain closed or cordoned off.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the sources support, with practical notes on what to combine and when to go.
Top things to do in Malatya
1. Aslantepe
Aslantepe, at 1st Sk in Orduzu northeast of the city, is a partially excavated village and palace complex going back 6000 years. It is the deepest historical site in the area, with a palace, statues and reliefs uncovered inside its walls, and it is the reason the surrounding district of Battalgazi holds the ruins of ancient Melitene.
In 2025 the site is closed for renovations. Before the earthquake there was a regular summer dig by Italian archaeologists who were happy to chat about their progress. The best findings have been taken to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara, leaving replicas on site, for example the statue of Hittite King Mutallu. Entry is free.
2. City Museum
The City Museum on Mehmet Buyruk Cd 2 exhibits city history and pre-history, making it the natural companion to a visit to Aslantepe. It is free and open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00–17:00.
Pair it with the walk along Atatürk Cd, since the museum sits close to the main square and the clocktower.
3. Atatürk House
Atatürk House at Atatürk Cd 73 is the mansion where Kemal Atatürk stayed during his visits to the city. It is free and open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00–17:00.
The late Ottoman clocktower on Atatürk Cd west of the mansion is a short stroll away, and Hürriyet Park lies just east of the mansion, with its entrance statue of Atatürk.
4. Waterfalls Park (Şelale Parkı)
Waterfalls Park is the strip south of Kernak Mosque, where water cascading down the hillside is canalised. At its foot the channel turns into the wooded median of Şehit Hamit Fendoğlu Cd, known informally as Kanalboyu.
This is an easy walk to fold into a visit to Kernak Mosque, and the shaded median makes it a reasonable route at midday.
5. Kernak Mosque
Kernak Mosque was rebuilt in 2020 to make it more quakeproof, a decision that proved sound when it survived the 2023 earthquake. It stands at the corner of Ipek Cd and Şehit Hamit Fendoğlu Cd.
The Malatya Museum 100 m south of the mosque was badly damaged and remains closed, so plan your time around the mosque and the adjoining Waterfalls Park instead.
6. Turgut Özal Nature Park
Turgut Özal Nature Park is a large park at the east edge of the city, with walking and cycling paths and barbecue areas. It takes its name from Turgut Özal, who was born in Malatya and served as Turkey's prime minister and then president.
Come here when you want space and shade rather than a formal sight, and bring what you need for a barbecue if that appeals.
7. Kırkgöz
Kırkgöz is a park and recreational area on the shore of Karakaya Barrage Lake north of town. It is the furthest-flung item on this list and works best as a half-day outing rather than a stop on a walking route.
Combine it with a slow afternoon rather than squeezing it between city-centre sights.
8. Photo Museum
The Photo Museum is about old cameras rather than photography as a practice, which is worth knowing before you go. It is on İnönü Cd, west of the main shopping centre, and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00.
Its later opening time than the City Museum and Atatürk House makes it a good fit after a morning elsewhere in the centre.
9. Hamams in the city centre
Traditional Turkish baths are found in the city centre and are a straightforward way to round off a day of walking.
Ask locally for the hamam nearest your route, since the sources place them in the centre generally rather than at a single address.
10. Apricot Festival
The Apricot Festival falls in July, during the harvest season, and reflects Malatya's standing as an apricot-growing area. If your dates allow, time a visit around it.
July is also the hottest stretch of the year, so plan festival time alongside indoor or shaded stops such as the City Museum.
11. Taşhoron Church
Taşhoron Church is an Armenian church of 1893 on Yeni Boztepe Cd, restored in 2021 but damaged in the earthquake and not yet re-opened.
It is worth passing by for the building itself, but do not build a day around going inside.
12. Soykan Meydanı and the New Mosque site
The New Mosque (Yeni Cami or Hacı Yusuf Taş) was damaged beyond repair in the 2023 earthquake, has been demolished, and a replacement is not yet built. The adjoining main square, Soykan Meydanı, is likewise cordoned off.
Treat this as orientation rather than a sight: know where the square is, and expect to route around the cordon.
13. Football at Yeni Malatya Stadyumu
Yeni Malatyaspor play at Yeni Malatya Stadyumu east of the city along D-300 near the university. The original city team, Malatyaspor, play in the amateur leagues at Yeşiltepe Stadyumu on the northwest edge of the city.
Check which side is at home before you set out, since the two grounds sit on opposite sides of the city.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start on Atatürk Cd with the late Ottoman clocktower, then visit Atatürk House when it opens at 08:00, and walk east to Hürriyet Park. Continue to the City Museum on Mehmet Buyruk Cd for the city's history and pre-history.
Afternoon: Head south to Kernak Mosque at the corner of Ipek Cd and Şehit Hamit Fendoğlu Cd, then walk the Waterfalls Park strip and the wooded median of Kanalboyu below it. If time allows, take in the Photo Museum on İnönü Cd, which stays open until 18:00.
Evening: Finish with a hamam in the city centre, then eat nearby. If you are in Malatya in July, the Apricot Festival can replace the evening plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aslantepe open to visitors?
In 2025 it is closed for renovations. The best findings from the site have been taken to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara, leaving replicas on site, for example the statue of Hittite King Mutallu.
Which sights are free to enter?
Atatürk House, the City Museum and Aslantepe are all free. Atatürk House and the City Museum are open Tuesday to Sunday, 08:00–17:00.
What happened to the New Mosque and Malatya Museum?
The New Mosque (Yeni Cami or Hacı Yusuf Taş) was damaged beyond repair in the 2023 earthquake, has been demolished, and a replacement is not yet built; the adjoining Soykan Meydanı is cordoned off. The Malatya Museum, 100 m south of Kernak Mosque, was badly damaged and remains closed.
When is the best time to visit for apricots?
The Apricot Festival is in July, the harvest season.
Work out your dates, check which sites have reopened, and build your Malatya itinerary around what is actually open when you arrive.