Things to Do in Kumlu: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kumlu

• 2 Historic
• 3 Nature

While you are in Kumlu, you can also see the highlights of Hatay province. These places are in other districts.

• Hatay Archaeology Museum — One of the largest mosaic collections in the world, with Roman and Byzantine mosaics excavated from ancient Antioch and its surroundings; founded in the 1930s, the museum moved into its new building in 2014. It is famous for works such as Oceanus and Tethys, the Abandoned Ariadne and the skeleton mosaic.
• Church of St Peter — A cave church carved into the rock on the western slope of Mount Stauris, 13 metres deep; according to Christian tradition it is where the first Christians of Antioch met in secret, and it is counted among the oldest churches in the world.
• Habib-i Neccar Mosque — One of the oldest mosques in Antakya; it is believed to have been built on the site of an old temple and church after the Arab conquest of the 7th century.
• Titus Tunnel — A water tunnel and channel cut into the rock in the Çevlik neighbourhood of Samandağ in the time of the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus (1st century AD) to protect the harbour of ancient Seleucia Pieria from floodwater; it is about 1.4 km long.
• Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls — Small waterfalls and springs flowing among laurel trees at Harbiye, south of Antakya; in antiquity this was Daphne, the sacred grove of the cult of Apollo.
• Bakras Castle — A medieval castle on a steep hill at Belen, controlling the pass that links Antakya with Cilicia; in the Crusader period it was one of the Knights Templar's important bases.

Practical Information for Visiting Kumlu

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring (March–May)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🥩

  Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab)

  Lamb, vegetables and spices are wrapped in greaseproof paper and baked in the oven. A traditional flavour of Hatay cuisine, kağıt kebabı becomes tender as the meat slowly cooks in its own juices.

• 🥣

  Süzme Mercimek Çorbası (strained red lentil soup)

  Prepared with red lentils, onions and spices, and served strained, this soup is an essential part of Kumlu's winter tables. It is drunk with mint and a squeeze of lemon on top.

• 🧆

  Oruk (İçli Köfte) (stuffed bulgur balls)

  Fine bulgur dough is shaped around a filling of minced meat, walnuts and spices. A signature dish of Hatay, oruk is made in Kumlu especially for festivals and special occasions.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kumlu

• 🌾

  Amik Plain Farming Culture

  For centuries the people of Kumlu have made their living from farming on the fertile soils of the Amik Plain. Communal work known as imece, carried out at harvest time, and the tradition of solidarity between neighbours are still kept alive.

• 🤝

  Multicultural Hatay Heritage

  Kumlu is a district that reflects the multicultural character of Hatay. Turkish, Arab and Kurdish communities live together; this diversity is reflected in cuisine, music and everyday life traditions.

Local Products

• Amik Plain Wheat — Wheat grown on the fertile soils of the Amik Plain in Kumlu is the region's most important agricultural product. Local varieties such as Karakılçık wheat are used in traditional bread and bulgur making.
• Cotton — The hot climate and wetlands of the Amik Plain are suitable for cotton farming. Cotton grown in Kumlu makes an important contribution to the regional economy.

Economy

Kumlu's economy is largely based on agriculture. Wheat, cotton, maize and vegetables are grown on the fertile soils of the Amik Plain. Livestock farming is also an important source of livelihood. The district maintains its commercial links thanks to its proximity to Reyhanlı and Kırıkhan.

How to Get to Kumlu

Kumlu is approximately 40 km from Antakya. It lies on the Antakya-Reyhanlı road. Hatay Airport is approximately 50 km away. Transport to the district is provided by minibuses and dolmuş services.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Hatay

Kumlu: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kumlu Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Hatay The province's 12 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Hatay

• Altınözü 3 places Yarseli Dam, Kuseyr River and Asi River
• Antakya 8 places Habib Neccar Mountain, Asi River and Hatay Archaeology Museum
• Arsuz 10 places Amanos Mountains, Arsuz Ancient City and Arsuz Beach
• Belen 5 places Belen Pass, Amanos Mountains and Bakras Castle
• Defne 6 places Harbiye Waterfalls, Defne Forests and Harbiye Waterfalls (Daphne)
• Dörtyol 6 places Nur Mountains, İlk Kurşun Anıtı (First Bullet Monument) and Dörtyol Coast
• Erzin 5 places Erzin Coast, İssos Aqueducts and Erzin İçmeleri (Erzin spring waters)
• Hassa 8 places Amanos Mountains, Akbez Castle and Amanos Dağları Nature Park
• İskenderun 6 places İskenderun Seafront and Promenade, Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Complex and Arsuz Beach
• Kırıkhan 6 places Amik Plain, Kırıkhan Castle and Kırıkhan Bazaar
• Payas 5 places Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Complex, Payas Kalesi (Cin Kulesi) and Payas Coast
• Reyhanlı 4 places Reyhanlı Çarşısı (Reyhanlı Bazaar), Amik Ovası Manzaraları (Views of the Amik Plain) and Yenişehir Gölü (Yenişehir Lake)
• Samandağ 7 places Titus Tunnel (Vespasian Tunnel), Mount Musa (Jebel Akra) and Vakıflı Village
• Yayladağı 9 places Yayladağı Border Gate and Panoramic View, Topraktutan Village (Türkiye's Southernmost Point) and Yayladağı Mountain Forests