Let’s go: History of Mersin
Mersin, called Cilicia in antiquity, is known to have been an important settlement even in prehistory; excavations conducted in the area indicate that the earliest settlements date to 6300 BC. The territory was ruled successively by the Hittites, Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and Byzantines and, later, by the Seljuks, Karamanids and Ramadanids, respectively.
Mersin came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century. The region was occupied by Allied Forces during the First World War but recaptured by Turkish forces. Mersin joined the Republic of Türkiye in 1922.
Best routes: Places to visit in Mersin
Get ready to explore – Mersin has so many places to visit! Some places are in the Mersin city center and relatively easy to access. For sights outside of the city, we recommend using a private vehicle, renting a car or hiring a taxi.
As it is difficult to see Mersin thoroughly within a couple of days, we’ve listed some of the top destinations in and around the city. A note on the weather in Mersin. The city is hot and humid in the summer months, but the weather is quite mild during the rest of the year.
Mersin Centre
We’ll start with the city center. Our first suggestion is the Mersin Marina. The Marina, Türkiye’s largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, is among the city’s most beautiful spaces, featuring restaurants, cafes, nightlife, a spa, and sports centers, in addition to boat berths. The Mersin Marina is open seven days a week.
Another location in the city center is the Saint Antuan Latin Catholic Church, on Uray Street. Guided tours of this striking structure are offered throughout the week between 09.00 and 17.00. The Mersin City Cemetery is another interesting destination, as Muslims, Christians and Jews are buried here – one of the few cemeteries where this is the case. The cemetery is considered a symbol of Mersin’s peaceful and tolerant spirit. The tomb of the famous Turkish singer Bergen is also here.
Historical Sites in Mersin
Mersin and its surrounding area offer visitors a journey through time. Keep reading to discover some of these historical sites!
Yumuktepe Tumulus
The Yumuktepe Tumulus refers to the ancient settlement of Yumuktepe. Archaeological excavations of the mound revealed evidence of human inhabitation dating to 7000 BC – one of the oldest settlements in the world. It is believed Yumuktepe was among the first regions in the world where agriculture was conducted, where the first wheat was cultivated and where the first breads were made. In addition, olive cultivation and iron and copper casting were conducted here. The ruins of a palace dating from 4500 BC were also found. The Yumuktepe Tumulus is about one kilometer from the Mersin city center.
Maiden Castle
The Maiden Castle – Kızkalesi, in Turkish, also known as the Sea Castle, and formerly known as Corcyus – sits on an islet about nine hundred meters off the coast of the town of Kızkalesi. It is about 65 kilometers from the Mersin city center and reachable via public transport.
It is believed that the construction of the castle dates to 1199. It was utilized as a port during the Roman and Byzantine eras, and in later periods the castle served as a fortification against pirates.
Human Rocks
The Rock-Carved Humans (Adam Kayalar, in Turkish) refer to a stone relief featuring the life-sized figures of four women, eleven men and two children. The structure also contains nine niches, as well as carvings of mountain goats and Roman-style eagles. Believed to have been erected around the third century BC, the structure is on a steep slope in the Şeytan Deresi Valley, in Mersin’s Erdemli district. It is close to the town of Kızkalesi.
Museums in Mersin
While there are a number of worthwhile museums in Mersin, a good place to start is the Tarsus Museum, featuring ethnographic and archaeological exhibits related to the culture of Çukurova; called Cilicia Pedias in antiquity, it refers to a region in Southern Anatolia that includes Mersin. The Mersin Archaeological Museum offers a comprehensive view of the area’s history, while the Mersin Naval Museum has exhibits on maritime culture and conflicts.
In addition, the Mersin Atatürk House and Museum is a worthy destination. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his wife, Latife Hanım, stayed in the elegant, two-story stone villa for eleven days when they visited Mersin. Set in the city center, the house was built in 1897 and is a fine example of the period’s architecture. The museum displays exhibits related to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Turkish War of Independence.
Natural Beauties in Mersin
Mersin also has its share of natural beauties. Keep reading to discover our favorites!
Silifke Astım (Asthma) Cave
In the Narlıkuyu neighborhood of Silifke, a famous district of Mersin, Astım Cave allegedly has an atmosphere beneficial to asthma patients. The cave is believed to have formed during the Cenozoic Era and features curiously shaped giant stalactites and stalagmites, as well as high humidity. In addition to its health-giving qualities, the cave is considered a place to make wishes; hence it is also known as the Dilek (Wish) Cave. Visitors to the cave tie bits of cloth around the shrubs and bushes at the cave’s entrance. If you visit, be aware that descent into the cave is via a steep spiral staircase. Astım Cave is about 86 kilometers from the Mersin city center and 23 km from the Silifke district.
Beaches in Mersin
Mersin’s coast stretches 321 kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea and about 148 kilometers of this strip consists of natural sand and beaches.
Among the most popular and beautiful of these beaches is the Maiden Beach, along with Susanoğlu Beach in the Silifke district. Also in Silifke is the relatively calm Yapraklı Beach. Boğsak Bay, İncekum Beach and Soğuksu Beach in the Aydıncık district are also worth a visit. Kazanlı Beach is close to the Mersin city center but can get crowded on the weekends. Most beaches are in the Erdemli district, which is home to the Tömuk, Kocahasanlı and Ayaş beaches.
The Caves of Heaven and Hell (Cennet ve Cehennem)
This pair of colorfully named sinkholes is about 25 kilometers from the Silifke district center. Accessed via steep stone stairs or an elevator, the Heaven cave contains the remains of a Byzantine chapel. The Hell cave is inaccessible but a glass viewing terrace has been installed. There’s also a café at the entrance to the sinkholes.
Göksu River
Known as Cleadnos in antiquity, the Göksu River is one of the most important streams flowing into the Mediterranean Sea and a habitat for more than 300 bird species. The river has wonderful views and is a popular destination for water sports such as rafting.
Dining in Mersin
In discussions of Mersin’s culinary traditions, most Turkish people think of “tantuni”, which is minced meat fried in cotton oil and wrapped in lavash bread. But like most cities in Türkiye, Mersin has a number of local specialties and delicious regional products.
Here’s a short list of some local dishes.
- Tantuni
- Batırık (a cold soup with tomatoes, cucumbers, bulgur, and peanuts)
- Cezerye (a kind of “lokum” (Turkish delight) made of sweet carrot)
- Karsambaç (grated ice or clean snow drizzled with molasses, honey, or sugar syrup)
- Gölevez (elephant ear with meat)
- Sıkma (lavash pastry filled with potatoes or cheese)
- Tarsus kebabı (Tarsus-style kebab)
- Mamül (a semolina cookie stuffed with dates or other fillings)
- Kerebiç (a semolina shortbread filled with pistachio or walnuts)
- Şalgam (fermented turnip juice)
Important Mersin Notes
Visiting Mersin is easy – just click here to buy a plane ticket and start planning your trip! Keep reading for a few more tips and suggestions on getting around and staying in Mersin.
Accommodation in Mersin
Due to its beaches, museums and historical texture, Mersin is a popular destination; as such, the city and its surroundings offer a wide range of accommodations – five-star beach resorts, boutique hotels, hostels and pensions. Click on Turkish Airlines Holidays holiday packages for easy accommodation and airfare options!
Transportation in Mersin
Mersin has an extensive public transportation system that includes buses, minibuses and dolmuş (shared taxis). The Kentkart is applicable for most forms of public transportation. Taxis are also widely available.
Travelling to Mersin by air
The Mersin airport is currently under construction but the Adana Şakirpaşa Airport is less than a 90-minute drive from the Mersin city center. The 24-hour HAVAŞ shuttles operate from the Adana airport, as do Adana-Mersin buses and commercial taxis. Car rentals are also available. There is a train service between Adana and Mersin, but the station is in the Adana city center; at present, the train does not stop at the Adana airport.
We wish you a nice trip!
