Things to do in Mersin
It is not possible to visit everywhere in Mersin in one day. If you rent a private car like us during your visits here, you can easily reach every region. Because each of the touristic regions is located quite far from each other.
In Mersin, one of the most important cities in terms of tourism in Turkey, you can both see the historical textures closely and spend a wonderful vacation in touch with nature.
Mersin is one of the most popular places to visit in Turkey as it offers so much diversity and history. If you want to swim on the beach in Mersin in the summer, you may be disturbed by the crowds, but the places we recommend will always be calm and navigable for you.
1 – Maiden Castle
Mersin Maiden’s Castle is located in Erdemli district. Let us remind you that Erdemli district is the most populous district of Mersin in terms of tourism. The Maiden’s Castle is 60 kilometers from the city center and is a historical castle built on a small island in the middle of the sea. This place was built by Leon I in 1119 and is almost identified with Mersin. The Maiden’s Castle, one of the symbolic landmarks of the city, should be among the first places you will visit in the city.
You can rent small boats to go up to the castle and visit the magnificent castle from the inside. To visit this place, we recommend that you pay attention to the times we recommend for you below.
Best Time to Travel
March, April and May are some of the best months for those who want to visit Mersin, because during this period you can visit ancient cities, natural parks and the coast very easily. When the weather gets a little warmer, especially the coastal part of Mersin will be very crowded. For those who want to swim in the sea, they can prefer the summer months. However, you may be exposed to very high temperatures while visiting ancient cities, canyons and natural areas.
2 – Anemurium Ancient City
Mersin Anemurium Ancient City is located in Anamur district, famous for its bananas. Anamurium, which means windy region in Turkish, is another very important historical point you should definitely see in Mersin…
It is not known exactly when this city was built, but if you are interested in history, you should definitely take a closer look at the historical city in this Ören Neighborhood when you come to Anamur. Examine the ruins of many civilizations that lived here in history and be fascinated by the unique sea view right on the edge of the region.
If you come here at a suitable time to swim in the sea, you are allowed to swim on the beach with your own sun loungers and umbrella in the ancient city.
3 – Kanlıdivane Ruins
Kanlıdivane ruins are located 50 kilometers west of Mersin. When you visit Erdemli, we recommend that you definitely keep this place on your route.
The history of the city, which is the sacred settlement of the Olba Kingdom, dates back to the 3rd century BC. The city, which was settled for the first time in the Hellenistic Period, experienced its most intense period in the Roman and Late Antique periods and experienced its brightest period in the 4th century AD. It is also understood from the stairs and caves in the sinkhole that the sinkhole was also used as a settlement. Due to the size of the sinkhole descended by stairs, it was thought to be divine and became a religious center throughout the history of the city. There are also reliefs of the Armaronrax family on the reliefs inside this sinkhole.
The 15 workshops and production tools such as presses, press bearings, screw weights, press weight stones, crushing vessels and crushing stones identified during the surveys revealed that the city was an important center of olive oil production especially in the late antique period.
4 – Yerkopru Waterfall
5 – Alahan Monastery
6 – Uzuncaburc Olba Ancient City
This special region, which we can also define as Uzuncaburç Ruins, is waiting for you in Silifke district in Mersin. Mersin Uzuncaburç Olba Ancient City, which has managed to bring the remains of the Hellenistic Period to the present day, is another of the most beautiful historical spots to visit in the city. This region, which has managed to preserve the historical ruins in the most wonderful way, will take you back to the Hellenistic period…
7 – Adam Rocks Reliefs
Adam Kayalar is perhaps the most beautiful place in Mersin in terms of history. It is extremely difficult to reach, but when you reach here, you will love seeing the men made by shaping the rocks. This region, which hosts countless tourists throughout the year, will be a canyon famous for its stone reliefs.
Mersin Man Rocks Reliefs, which are 7 kilometers from Kızkalesi, were made with the idea that they represent the king and queen in the Olba Temple State. From this point of view, it is one of the most important stone works in terms of history. To see Adam Rocks closely, you can turn towards Uzunburc after proceeding in the direction of Kızkalesi and reach this region after 6-7 kilometers.
8 – Heaven and Hell Sinkhole (Cennet Cehennem)
Narlıkuyu is a place that offers the opportunity to cool off, especially for those who are overwhelmed by the heat in Mersin. We would not be wrong if we say it is a magnificent sea town. Mersin Narlıkuyu also has one of the rarest seas in our country and reaches the maximum occupancy rate especially in summer.
