Things to Do in Akdeniz: 9 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Akdeniz

• 4 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 2 Museum
• 1 Attraction
• 1 Cultural

📸 Attractions 1

i Photo: Nedim Ardoğa (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source

8 📸 Attraction

Mersin Port

Mersin Port, one of the largest ports in Türkiye, lies within the boundaries of Akdeniz district. It is an important centre of international sea trade.

View on map

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

• Kızkalesi (Korykos) — A medieval sea castle built on an islet about 200 metres off the coast in the Kızkalesi neighbourhood of Erdemli; together with the land castle of Korykos opposite, it is the best-known symbol of the Cilician coast.
• Heaven and Hell Sinkholes (Cennet ve Cehennem Obrukları) — Giant sinkholes formed by the dissolving of limestone, 25 km from Silifke and 2 km north-west of Narlıkuyu; steps lead down to the 5th-century Church of the Virgin Mary at the bottom of the Heaven Sinkhole.
• Mamure Castle — A castle on the seashore at Anamur, founded in the Roman period and enlarged under the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and the Karamanids; it is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Anatolia.
• Anemurium Ancient City — At Cape Anamur, with its theatre, odeon, baths and extensive necropolis from the Roman and Byzantine periods, it is one of the most impressive ghost cities on the Mediterranean coast.
• Uzuncaburç (Olba–Diocaesarea) — The sacred centre of the Teucrid priest-kings, 30 km north of Silifke; it is known for the Temple of Zeus Olbios, one of the oldest Corinthian-order temples in Anatolia, the Temple of Tyche, the theatre and a five-storey tower.
• Cleopatra's Gate and Tarsus — A Roman-period city gate in Tarsus that, according to legend, Cleopatra is believed to have entered to meet Mark Antony; nearby are Saint Paul's Well, a Roman road and the historic houses of Tarsus.

Practical Information for Visiting Akdeniz

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn

Places to visit

9 places

• 🌯

  Tantuni

  Finely chopped beef is fried in oil and wrapped in lavash bread.

• 🍬

  Cezerye (carrot dessert)

  A traditional sweet made with carrot, sugar and pistachios. Prepared using recipes passed down through generations, this dish is an important part of the region's culinary culture.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Akdeniz

• ⚓

  Port Culture

  Akdeniz district is a centre of international trade and maritime culture thanks to Mersin Port.

Local Products

• Citrus Fruit — The world-famous citrus products of the Mersin region.

Economy

Akdeniz is one of the central districts of Mersin. Mersin Port, the free zone and industrial facilities form the foundation of the district's economy.

How to Get to Akdeniz

Akdeniz is part of Mersin city centre. There are regular municipal bus and minibus services from Mersin city centre to Akdeniz district. Road transport is the most widely used means of transport.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Mersin

Akdeniz: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Akdeniz Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Mersin The province's 15 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Mersin

• Mersin Central District 7 places Mersin Museum, Mersin Seafront Park and Yumuktepe Mound
• Anamur 8 places Mamure Castle, Anamur Ancient City and Anamur Beaches
• Aydıncık 8 places Kelenderis Antik Kenti (Kelenderis ancient city), Aydıncık Plajları and Liman Castle
• Bozyazı 9 places Nagidos Ancient City, Softa Castle and Bozyazı Beaches
• Çamlıyayla 8 places Çamlıyayla Plateaus, Çamlıyayla Mosque and Namrun Castle
• Erdemli 9 places Elaiussa-Sebaste, Kızkalesi (Corycus) and Cennet and Cehennem Sinkholes
• Gülnar 3 places Gülnar Castle, Gülnar Plateaus and Taşeli Plateau
• Mezitli 3 places Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City, Mezitli Beach and Soli Pompeipolis Ancient City
• Mut 11 places Alahan Monastery, Kozlar Plateau and Sertavul Plateau
• Silifke 9 places Silifke Castle, Cennet and Cehennem Obrukları (Heaven and Hell Sinkholes) and Uzuncaburç (Olba/Diocaesarea)
• Tarsus 9 places Tarsus Waterfall, Cleopatra's Gate (Kleopatra Kapısı) and Well and Church of Saint Paul (Aziz Paulus Kuyusu ve Kilisesi)
• Toroslar 7 places Toroslar Yaylası (Toroslar Plateau), Toroslar Camii (Toroslar Mosque) and Gözne Kalesi (Gözne Castle)
• Yenişehir 2 places Mersin Marina and Atatürk Park