Things to Do in Toroslar: 7 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Toroslar

• 4 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 1 Nature

i Photo: Seyfettin33 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

1 🌳 Nature

Toroslar Yaylası (Toroslar Plateau)

Plateaus at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, known in summer for their cool climate and natural beauty.

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2 🕌 Religious

Toroslar Camii (Toroslar Mosque)

The mosque in the district centre stands out for its modern architecture. The building reflects the local architectural style and is important in religious and cultural terms.

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3 🏛️ Historic

Gözne Kalesi (Gözne Castle)

A castle on high cliffs in Gözne Neighbourhood of Toroslar.

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4 🏛️ Historic

Belenkeşlik Kalesi (Belenkeşlik Castle)

A castle on the Soğucak Plateau in Toroslar.

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5 🏛️ Historic

Çandır (Paperon) Kalesi (Çandır (Paperon) Castle)

A castle north-west of Çandır village in Toroslar district centre, 7 km east of the Ayvagediği Plateau.

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6 🏛️ Historic

Sinap Kalesi (Sinap Castle)

A castle 5 km north of Gözne town, in Toroslar.

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7 🏺 Ancient City

Yumuktepe Höyüğü (Yumuktepe Mound)

A mound in Demirtaş Neighbourhood, about 1 km north-west of the Toroslar district centre.

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While you are in Toroslar, 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 Toroslar

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer months

Places to visit

7 places

• 🌯

  Tantuni

  Finely chopped beef fried in oil and wrapped in lavash bread. It is best tasted in its most authentic form at local markets and home-style restaurants.

• 🍬

  Cezerye (carrot dessert)

  A traditional sweet made with carrot, sugar and pistachio. Prepared from recipes passed down through generations, it is an important part of the local food culture. Its fresh, natural ingredients make it a healthy choice.

• 🍽️

  dilme

  One of the dishes associated with Toroslar. In the same sentence, öğmeç, yüksük çorbası, döğme pilavı and mahluta are also mentioned.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Toroslar

• ⛰️

  Toros Dağları Kültürü (Taurus Mountains Culture)

  The district takes its name from the Taurus Mountains. Mountain life and plateau culture are part of the district's identity.

Local Products

• Narenciye (Citrus fruit) — Citrus fruit is grown on the southern slopes of Toroslar.

Economy

Toroslar is one of the central districts of Mersin. Trade, services and agriculture are the main economic activities.

How to Get to Toroslar

Toroslar is part of Mersin city centre. Regular municipal bus and minibus services run from Mersin city centre to Toroslar district. Road transport is the most widely used means of travel.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Mersin

Toroslar: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Toroslar 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
• Akdeniz 9 places Mersin Port, Soli Pompeiopolis Ancient City and Fine Arts Gallery
• 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)
• Yenişehir 2 places Mersin Marina and Atatürk Park