Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 7 places to visit in the Karataş district of Adana: Magarsus (Megarsos) Ancient City, Akyatan Lagoon and Tuzla Lagoon. Plan your trip to Karataş with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Karataş is a district of Adana province. Founded within the natural boundaries of the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers in the eastern Mediterranean region, it lies 48 km from Adana. The district covers 862 km² and its altitude is 10 metres.
Karataş has a very long history. It was founded as a port town around 1000 BC, on roads of military and commercial importance. Its ancient name was Magarsus. In the Middle Ages the town was under Roman and Abbasid rule, and it came under Ottoman administration in 1517.
Karataş is a port town with a very long history, founded around 1000 BC. According to one source, in the 1900s BC the area was held by Arvaza and Huri, and after the 1530s BC it came under the Hittite kingdom. The settlement became a sub-district in 1928 and a district in 1957. According to Strabo, the founders of Magarsus were Mopsos of Cilicia and the Greek Amphilochus.
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Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The ancient city on the hill facing the sea is known as the place where Alexander the Great made a sacrifice to Athena Magarsia. Theatre ruins and church foundations can be visited with views of the coast.
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Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A lagoon of about 14,700 hectares, it is a wetland of international importance for migratory birds, especially flamingos and pelicans. Its beach is one of the important nesting grounds for green sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
View on mapA lagoon west of the Seyhan delta, hosting thousands of waterbirds in the winter months. Mornings are ideal for birdwatching.
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Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source With its long sandy shore and fish restaurants, it is a weekend summer destination for the people of Adana. During the turtle nesting season (May–August), care should be taken to observe the marked areas on the beach.
View on mapAlso known locally as Karakilise (Black Church), this church ruin is one of the district's Byzantine-period structures.
View on mapMallos, one of the important cities of Cilicia in antiquity, is known to have been in this area. Its exact location is debated among researchers, and only limited remains are visible on the surface.
View on mapAn ancient city in Karataş district, said to have been founded in the 7th century BC.
View on mapWhile you are in Karataş, you can also see the highlights of Adana province. These places are in other districts.
Fresh fish from the Mediterranean served in bread, this dish is a symbol of Karataş's fishing culture. It is served fresh at the fish restaurants along the coast.
Prepared by grilling fresh sea bass caught off Karataş over charcoal. Served with lemon and rocket, it is the most popular dish at the seaside restaurants.
Fresh prawns cooked in a clay casserole with tomato, pepper and spices, this Mediterranean dish is one of the highlights of Karataş's seafood cuisine.
This traditional Adana drink, produced by fermenting purple carrot and turnip, is also often chosen at fish tables in Karataş.
Karataş is known for its fishing tradition that has continued for centuries. The return of fishing boats to the harbour, fresh fish auctions and the fishermen's coffeehouses along the coast shape the district's cultural identity.
Voluntary work to protect sea turtles, a threatened species, on Akyatan beach is an important sign of environmental awareness in Karataş.
The remains of the ancient cities of Magarsus and Mallus carry traces of Karataş's thousands of years of maritime and trading tradition. Many civilisations, from Alexander the Great to Rome, made use of this port.
The economy of Karataş rests on fishing and agriculture. The fishing sector on the Mediterranean coast is the district's most important source of livelihood. Cotton, watermelon, melon and citrus are grown on the fertile farmland behind the coast. Coastal tourism also contributes to the economy in the summer months. There is potential for eco-tourism around Akyatan Lagoon.
Karataş is about 47 km from Adana city centre and is reached by road. The nearest airport is Çukurova International Airport, on the border of Tarsus district in Mersin. Regular minibus services run from Adana. The district lies on the Mediterranean coast, between the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers.
The highlights of Karataş are 7 places: Magarsus (Megarsos) Ancient City, Akyatan Lagoon, Tuzla Lagoon, Karataş Beach, Yanık Church, Mallos Ancient City and Magarsus Ancient City.
Balık Ekmek, Levrek Izgara, Karides Güveç and Şalgam Suyu are the standout flavours on Karataş's tables.
Karataş is known for Karataş Kıddesi and its Fishing Culture. Registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.
Karataş is about 47 km from Adana city centre and is reached by road. The nearest airport is Çukurova International Airport, on the border of Tarsus district in Mersin. Regular minibus services run from Adana. The district lies on the Mediterranean coast, between the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers.
Suggested trip length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: May–October.