Mersin Travel Guide

When I think of Mersin, the first thing that comes to my mind is the smell of orange groves. Then the sea, the long rows of palm trees along the coast, the tantuni wrapped in warm bread and of course the sight of the cheese of İçel künefe. It excites me to talk about this city again after a long time. There is so much to tell about Mersin. This is not a city limited to the sea or summer vacations. There are places hidden in nature that arouse curiosity in people. The Cave of Heaven and Hell for example. When you hear its name, you feel a little fear and a little admiration. As you descend into it, the coolness increases, the stairs get longer, and you come across a church among the rocks. The church here is estimated to have been built in the 5th century, during the early Christian period. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At that time, Christians retreated to hidden and hard-to-reach places to escape the oppression they faced from the Roman Empire. Therefore, the caves were both a refuge and a place of worship for them. The depth and inaccessibility of the Pit of Paradise suggest that this structure was built for the purpose of faith and protection. The church was built at the entrance of the natural cave. The structure is quite simple but has a great meaning. Even though the plaster has fallen off and the stone walls are worn in places, it has an important place. The depth and sheltered structure of the Cennet Çöküğü may have been preferred for this reason.

Mersin residents go to the highlands in summer. These plateaus become the address of those looking for coolness. Sorgun, Balandız, Fındıkpınarı, Çamlıyayla, Sertavul and Bardat Plateau. Each of these names is like a different nature story. Drinking buttermilk, a bowl of ayran aşı soup made with sheep yogurt, and eating meat cooked over a wood fire will fill your stomach and your soul. If you happen to visit in the summer, stop by the highland festivals, where music can be heard in the distance, people play and chat, and you feel a familiar warmth among the crowds. Mersin also has a strong historical aspect. The mosaics in Narlıkuyu, the ruins of Soli Pompeiopolis, ancient cities such as Olba and Nagidos carry the traces of the past to the present. The stones rising in Uzuncaburç seem to tell how time flows differently. There are also traces of beliefs in this city. A geography where different religions have lived together for years. Ashab-ı Kehf Mosque reminds us of this unity. Mamure Castle is not just stones, there are many stories inside.

Best Things to See and Do in Mersin

1. Taşucu. Some of the places you cannot get enough of visiting in Taşucu; Uzuncaburç, Narlıkuyu, Boğsak Bay and Boğsak Island, Göksu Delta and Taşucu Amphora Museum.
2. Tisan Island is a hidden paradise
3. Mut Yerköprü Waterfall, Alahan Monastery, Aydıncık Gilindire Cave should be seen
4. You should definitely swim in Akyar. You should eat herb flatbread and tantuni.
5. Those who like scuba diving should go to Tisan and Golden Grouper Bay (blue flagged) and dive.
6. I recommend you to see Kanlı Divane, Adamkayalar in Erdemli, St. Theakle Church, Tokmar Castle, Barbaros Bay (Güvercinlik Island) in Silifke, St. Paul Church, St. Paul Well, Tarsus Waterfall in Tarsus.
7. There are so many places to see, the rocky valley on the Narlıkuyu side, the Hidden Paradise in Tarsus must be seen
8. Gilindire cave must be seen and the village breakfast and squema must be eaten around Ayaş
9. Let's add the Kerebiç dessert, not many people know it, only Mersin residents know it, it looks like a dessert with semolina and plenty of pistachios.
10. Bozyazı Toslaklar bay, Anamur Ören ancient city should be seen, batırık, cold figs, salted pistachio boiled should be eaten.

11. Mersin's historical aspect is also very strong. The mosaics in Narlıkuyu, the ruins of Soli Pompeiopolis, ancient cities like Olba and Nagidos carry the traces of the past to the present. The stones rising in Uzuncaburç seem to tell how time flows differently. There are also traces of beliefs in this city. A geography where different religions have lived together for years. Ashab-ı Kehf Mosque reminds us of this unity. Mamure Castle is not just stones, there are many stories inside.

Eating and Drinking Recommendations in Mersin

Everyone says Göksel, Memoş but you can eat the king of tantuni at @adaetdoner. @migciogluocakbasi, which makes Adana Kebab even better than the ones in Adana, is the undisputed reason for preference.
For those who prefer arm pastry and lemonade for breakfast, Tarsus Gençlik Pastry Shop is the undisputed place to go. Tarsus @sofioglufindik for hazelnut lahmacun and @kervanhumustarsus for hummus are the best alternatives. You can have breakfast at the restaurants in the town of Elvanlı and the town of Dalakderesi, or you can eat chicken with butter.
While you are here, you can go to Santa ziraat waterfall and eat trout on a tile in one of the restaurants. Hmmmm yummy with sauce sauce... In Yenice on the way to Adana, you can eat the famous ayran-sıkma at Doğuş Sıkma.
Are we done? It is not over! In Tarsus Kirlik, you can hit the eye of the eye of the cutlet. I can hear those who say, "Enough, our mouths are watering. But you don't know yet how unscrupulous I am.  I won't leave @tarsusselalerestaurant until you go to @tarsusselalerestaurant and eat the stuffed chicken with cheese! If you eat BRUSCHETTA in Tarsus @pizza.pepino, I claim that you will have eaten the most perfect pizza you can eat on earth. If you say hi to Ecevit Abi, he can give you fifty discount. Try your luck .
Everyone will call you Kerebiççi Oğuz. Oh my, what ignorance... I can't take anything away from Oğuz, but Hayri's kerebici is out of class. If you eat the burma kadayıf and lemon ice cream from Dondurmacı Halil, you might spike your sugar levels... But when you say baklava, @tarsuskelesoglubaklava, which will make Gaziantep baklava makers jealous, is the reason for preference. Sorry, I wrote jealous. That would be jealous.
I highly recommend you to have raki & fish against the sunset in Mersin / Mezitli coastal restaurant, taste mutebbel, spicy yogurt, wheat, creamed shrimp spicy, sea bass with eggplant. I would also add Liverman Bahattin and Künefeci Emin here.
Raki & fish in Narlıkuyu, yörük village breakfast in the same neighborhood. Their buttermilk, tantunis, tulumba dessert and countless other dishes... are legendary.
For tantuni in Mersin, Göksel Tantuni on the beach (very hygienic and safe meat), kebab at Edip Usta in Mezitli, Şalgam at Özkan, Mamül at Yürü, pistachio kerebiç at Kerebiçci Oğuz are my other recommendations.
Go to Dondurmacı Halil and try all the flavors (tahini bread, pepper bread, cezerye and mamül) and don't forget to eat kunefe at Cici. Sit in the cafes on Kuşimato street or in the restaurants in the marina. Don't come back without going to Bahattin the liver man
Yes, if you have eaten enough, how about we start traveling and burn what we have eaten :)

Mersin Accommodation Suggestions

When you come to Mersin, it is important to find a place where you can relax and feel at home. The city is full of coastal and natural beauty, so your choice of accommodation will shape your vacation. Whether you're looking for a peaceful hotel near the sea or a small pension in a historic neighborhood, Mersin offers warm and welcoming options. Here, I will try to tell you about the most loved and preferred accommodations with sincere experiences.

Vista Hotel: Close to the city center and comfortable rooms will make you feel at home.

Mojo Hotel Beach: A warm place where you can sip your morning coffee accompanied by the sounds of the waves with its seafront location.

Marvel Tree Hotel Anamur: A calm and friendly place for those who want to find peace in nature.

Elysium Garden Hotel: A relaxing little refuge where you can take a walk in its large garden and feel the serenity. By visiting these unique bays, you can swim in the clean sea of the Mediterranean Sea or enjoy the magnificent flora with snorkeling.

For more accommodation options, you can check our Mersin Hotels page.