TR RU

8 places to visit in the Anamur district of Mersin: Mamure Castle, Anamur Ancient City and Anamur Beaches. Plan your trip to Anamur with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

Anamur is the westernmost district of Mersin province, on the border with Antalya. Its name derives from the Greek word for “windmill”, and Anemourion means “windy cape”. The district covers an area of 1,430 square kilometres.

History

Anamur, with a past going back to antiquity, came under the rule of the Kizzuwatnians, Hittites, Assyrians and Persians in turn. Conquered by Alexander the Great on his eastern campaign in 333 BC, when it was part of the Macedonian Kingdom, the settlement began to be called Anemurium. After Roman and Byzantine rule, Anamur passed to the Arabs, Seljuks, Karamanids and then the Ottoman Empire. Anamur gained district status in 1869.

Geography

Anamur is a district of Mersin, located in the south of Türkiye. Cyprus lies to its south and is the nearest point, at a distance of 74 km. The altitude of the district varies. Its beaches are the nesting grounds of sea turtles, which are close to extinction. On the coast are the İskele, Kale, Melleç and Ören beaches; further inland lie the Pullu picnic area and Köşekbükü Cave.

Culture and Tourism

Mamure Castle, Anemurium Ancient City, Titiopolis Ancient City, Ala Bridge, Ak Mosque, Köşekbükü Cave and Anamur Museum are important places to visit in the district. The district is developed for domestic tourism and is a holiday destination because of its long summer season and sea temperatures that do not drop until the winter months.

Agriculture and Economy

Anamur is famous for bananas, peanuts, citrus fruits and strawberries. Banana production takes place in greenhouses, and greenhouse farming became widespread after 1995. Anamur supplies 40 per cent of Türkiye’s strawberry needs.

History and Culture

The name Anemurium means “windy cape” in ancient sources. In 1930, a Greek Orthodox church was demolished and the old government house building was constructed in its place.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in Anamur

  • 2 Historic
  • 3 Ancient City
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Beach

Historic Sites 2

Mamure Castle - Anamur Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source
Historic

Mamure Castle

One of the historic sites worth visiting in Anamur.

View on map
Historic

Ala Bridge

A single-arch stone bridge from the Roman period, over the Dragon River.

View on map

Ancient Cities 3

Ancient City

Anamur Ancient City

Known as Anemurium Ancient City, this ancient city lies very close to Cape Anamur.

View on map
Ancient City

Anemurium Ancient City

An ancient city in Western Cilicia, an important harbour settlement on the Mediterranean coast.

View on map
Ancient City

Titopolis Ancient City

Also known as Kalınören, an ancient city built in the Roman period.

View on map

Religious Buildings 1

Religious

Sultan Alaeddin Mosque (Ak Cami)

A stone mosque with a dome, said to have been built in 1261 during the Karamanid period.

View on map

Natural Wonders 1

Nature

Köşekbükü Cave

A cave located in the interior of Anamur, between highlands and forested areas.

View on map

Beaches and Coves 1

Beach

Anamur Beaches

Along the coast, the beaches consist of İskele, Kale, Melleç and Ören.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Mersin Province

See all →

While you are in Anamur, you can also see the highlights of Mersin province. These places are in other districts; Anamur is about 230 km from the provincial centre.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Saint Paul's Well and Church — A well believed to lie in the courtyard of Saint Paul's house in Tarsus, and the 19th-century Saint Paul's Church; it is a regular stop for Christian pilgrims.
  • Soli Pompeiopolis — A port city re-founded by Pompey in Mezitli; it is known for the surviving columns of its colonnaded street running down to the sea.

Practical Information for Visiting Anamur

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Anamur

Food guide →

  • Tantuni

    Finely chopped beef is fried in oil and wrapped in lavash bread. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

  • Muz Tatlısı (banana dessert)

    Various desserts made with Anamur's famous bananas, which are among the region's distinctive flavours.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Anamur

  • Mediterranean Culture

    As the southernmost point of Türkiye, Anamur keeps Mediterranean culture alive. It is a district where sea, history and nature are intertwined.

Local Products

  • Anamur Batırığı — Anamur Batırığı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 2 February 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1534). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Anamur District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Anamur Muzu (Anamur bananas) — Anamur Muzu was registered as a protected designation of origin on 9 July 2003 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 56). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Anamur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Economy

The economy of Anamur is based on banana farming, citrus fruits and tourism. Mamure Castle and Anemurium Ancient City bring in income from tourism.

How to Get to Anamur

Anamur is 230 km from Mersin city centre. It lies on the Antalya–Mersin coastal road.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Mersin

Anamur: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Anamur?

The highlights of Anamur are 8 sites: Mamure Castle, Anamur Ancient City, Anamur Beaches, Anemurium Ancient City, Ala Bridge, Titopolis Ancient City, Sultan Alaeddin Mosque (Ak Cami) and Köşekbükü Cave.

What to eat in Anamur?

Tantuni and Muz Tatlısı are the standout dishes on Anamur tables.

What is Anamur famous for?

Anamur is known for Anamur Batırığı and Mediterranean Culture. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Anamur?

Anamur is 230 km from Mersin city centre. It lies on the Antalya–Mersin coastal road.

How long should I spend in Anamur?

Suggested visit: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Mersin

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.