Places to visit in Mersin

Mersin is full of places to visit! If you wish, let's start our exploration with natural sites. Mersin is home to numerous beautiful Blue Flag beaches, each with its own unique turquoise color. The waters are cool and slightly salty, and they are absolutely wonderful. Some of my favorites are Taşucu Beach, Pullu Orman Beach, Yapraklı Bay, Kız Kalesi Beach, Kapızlı Beach, Tisan, and Anamur beaches. I also recommend you visit Narlıkuyu Bay and Silifke Atakent Susanoğlu before you leave.

Of course, the beauty of Mersin is not limited to beaches and the sea. One remarkable place you must see is the Cennet-Cehennem Cave. Although it might look a bit intimidating, it's a beautiful spot. Inside, there’s even a church, and you’ll descend and ascend hundreds of stairs to reach the bottom. Also, Asthma Cave is another must-visit spot.

The local people of Mersin live in towns and cities during the winter, but in the summer, they head to the highlands. Sorgun Plateau, Balandız Plateau, Fındıkpınarı Plateau, Çamlıyayla, Sertavul Plateau, and especially Bardat Plateau are the places you should visit. It’s a delightful experience to drink yayık ayranı (fermented yogurt drink), taste goat cheese, and enjoy meat and meat products there. If you attend the highland festivals and ceremonies, you'll have even more unforgettable moments.

Now, let’s talk about historical places. Mersin has many historical sites. Narlıkuyu Three Beauties Mosaic Museum, Anamur Museum, and Silifke Museum are must-see attractions. There are also many ancient sites, such as the Öküzlü Archaeological Site and Yumuktepe Mound.

The ancient cities of Nagidos, Soli Pompeiopolis, Olba, and Uzuncaburç take us back to the ancient civilizations. Kız Kalesi, located in the middle of the sea, is a must-see, with a structure similar to a palace and a story similar to Istanbul’s Maiden's Tower. From a religious tourism perspective, Mersin is a mosaic of different faiths. The Ashab-ı Kehf Mosque, Mamure Mosque are my personal favorites, as well as the Kubat Paşa Madrasa, Hazreti Miktat Mosque, Latin Italian Catholic Church, Dağpazarı Church, and Cambazlı Church. Mamure Castle is also a must-see. Its majestic appearance, perched on a steep cliff by the sea, made quite an impression on me. Ilısu Waterfall is another natural beauty, and the Anamur River is stunning as well.

For accommodation recommendations, you can visit our Mersin Hotels page.