Mount Nemrut Entry Fee, History, Facts (Updated 2025)

High on the windswept summit of southeastern Turkey, Mount Nemrut greets the day with a spectacle that has enchanted travelers for decades. At dawn, the first rays of sunlight wash over colossal stone heads — silent guardians of a forgotten kingdom — casting long shadows across the mountain’s ancient terraces.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is more than just a place to watch the sunrise. It is the final resting place of Antiochus I of Commagene, a king whose ambition was as lofty as the mountain itself. Here, he ordered the creation of a sanctuary blending Greek, Persian, and Anatolian traditions — a bold statement of unity and power carved into the heart of the Taurus Mountains.

As a licensed tour guide who has spent over two decades exploring Turkey’s historical landscapes, I can say that few places rival Mount Nemrut’s combination of natural beauty, archaeological mystery, and spiritual grandeur. In this guide, you’ll find the latest 2025 visiting information — from entrance fees and opening hours to practical tips — along with the captivating history that makes this mountaintop monument one of the world’s most extraordinary open-air museums.

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Mount Nemrut Visitors Guide (2025)

Here’s a quick summary of essential information for visiting Mount Nemrut in 2025, including entrance fees, visiting hours, transportation tips, and guided tour recommendations.

• Entrance Fee: 10 Euros (per adult)
• Museum Pass Türkiye: Valid
• Visiting Hours: 04:00 – 20:30 (from April to October)
• Best Time to Visit: Sunrise and Sunset for spectacular views
• Access Route: Car or bus to visitor center, then short hike to summit
• Guided Tours: Recommended — join a 2-day Mount Nemrut tour from Istanbul
• Location: Kahta, Adıyaman Province, Turkey
• Last Updated: August 2025

History of the Mount Nemrut

What makes Mount Nemrut famous is the magnificent sculptures on the top of the mountain. These sculptures, which are a wonderful blend of ancient Greek gods and local religion, create a unique place of worship. We begin the history of Mount Nemrut from the end of the Ancient Greek period, namely the period of Alexander the Great.

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You can join a 2-day guided tour from Istanbul that covers both Mount Nemrut and the world-famous archaeological site of Göbeklitepe. Transportation, accommodation, and professional guiding are included.

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1. Alexander the Great

Philip II, the king of the Macedonian Empire, was assassinated in 336 BC. His successor son, Alexander, was someone who would change the course of history. After being crowned in Macedonia, located at the modern-day Greece, Alexander the Great kept the peace in his kingdom and started to campaign.

Entering into Anatolia with 32,000 infantry and 5,100 cavalry, Alexander the Great eradicated the strong Persian Empire in Asia Minor. Greek City-States that had been occupied for many years by Persians gave Alexander the Great a hero welcome. Ephesus, one of the most famous ancient cities of our age, was among those liberated cities.

Determined to establish the biggest empire of the world, Alexander firstly marched on Persia, then Ancient Egypt and finally India. Capturing the large part of the known world at that time, Alexander syncretized the cultural heritage of the ancient civilizations with one another through his military campaigns.

The legacy of Ancient Greece spread around the world because of Alexander the Great and a cultural bridge between the West and the East was formed.

2. The Diadochi

After storming through for 14 years when he remained on the throne, Alexander the Great passed away because of an inflammatory disease at the age of 32. However, he succeeded in fulfilling his dreams in this short span of time. Following his death, his generals came to the throne and Macedonian Empire was divided into four. The generals named Cassander, Ptolemy, Lysimachus and Seleucus became the kings of Succession Period also known as The Diadochi.

Seleucus, one of the generals of Alexander, founded the Seleucid Empire in modern-day Southeastern Anatolia, Syria, Iraq and Iran regions. Founded in 313 BC, The Seleucid Empire ruled in this area up to 190 BC. However, the Seleucid Empire was defeated by the Roman Empire at the Battle of Magnesia that broke out in 190 BC. After facing a heavy defeat, the empire began to collapse.

After the decline of Seleucid Kingdom, a number of kingdoms in that area declared their freedoms. One of those kingdoms, also the main subject of our article, was the Kingdom of Commagene. Founded in 163 BC, the Kingdom of Commagene embodied modern-day cities of Adiyaman, Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras.

3. The Kingdom of Commagene

The reason why we go back as late as to the period of Alexander the Great when we mention the Kingdom of Commagene is to emphasize the acculturation of that area. Apart from synthesizing the cultures of West and East, Alexander the Great also married to the daughter of the Persian King Darius III. The hero of our story King Antiochus I was inspired by those events, as well.

Antiochus I ruled the Kingdom of Commagene between 70-36 BC. He claimed that his maternal side descended from Alexander the Great while his paternal side descended from Persian King Darius the Great. It was for this reason that he wanted to syncretize the cultures of West and East.

4. Statue Heads of Mount Nemrut

King Antiochus wanted to establish a bond between polytheistic Greek mythology and Zoroastrianism. For that purpose, he built a magnificent temple in 2100-meter-high Mount Nemrut. He put 8-meter-high statues around this structure that functions as both a temple and a mausoleum.

The statue heads of Mount Nemrut are reflections of gods of Ancient Greek and Persian religions. If we interpret it with Greek Mythology to make it more familiar, the statues represent Zeus, Apollo and Hercules. On the other hand, these figures also symbolize equivalent gods in Persian religion, as well. In addition to them, there are two lion and two eagle statues, too.

The relief figures that represent Persian and Macedonian ancestry of Antiochus I are also quite impressive. The artistic exposition on the statues carries the influence of Greek, Persian and Armenian cultures.

The king of Commagene Antiochus I placed his own statue among these symbolic figures and emphasized his special relationship with all these divine characters. After declaring himself as a god-king, it is obvious that he wanted to be worshipped as a divine being after his death.

Mount Nemrut Entrance Fee 2025

Mount Nemrut entrance fee is 10 Euros as of 2025. Museum Pass Turkey is valid at the entrance to Mount Nemrut, which is an archaeological site under the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The information on the ticket price was last updated on August 8, 2025.

Mount Nemrut Opening Hours 2025

Mount Nemrut is open daily from 04:00 in the morning to 20:30 in the evening. Please note that ticket sales at the box office end at 20:00. The information on visiting hours was last updated on August 8, 2025.

There may be changes in the visiting hours of Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman due to various activities or restorations. Therefore, you are advised to visit the official website of the museum to see the latest status before you go.

Would you like to discover more ancient wonders beyond Mount Nemrut?

If the story of Antiochus I and the monumental statues on Nemrut’s summit inspired you, explore our Museums of Turkey category. You’ll find equally fascinating destinations such as Göbeklitepe, Ani Ruins, and the Cave Church of St. Peter.

These hidden gems unveil the deep historical and cultural layers of Anatolia — far beyond the classic tourist routes.

Conclusion

Mount Nemrut has also found a place in popular culture in recent years. For example, some scenes of the recently released Netflix series The Gift took place where the mythological statues of Mount Nemrut are located. In the same series, we also saw the Gobekli Tepe, which is considered to be the oldest temple in history.

Written by Serhat Engul