Location: Mersin
Top Things to do in Mersin
Top 10 Things to do in Mersin, Turkey
Mersin is a large city and a port on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. It is part of an interurban agglomeration – the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area – and lies on the western part of Çukurova, a geographical, economical, and cultural region. The city was named after the aromatic plant Myrsine (Greek: Μυρσίνη) in the family Primulaceae, a myrtle that grows in abundance in the area (Turkish: mersin); the 17th-century traveler Evliya Çelebi wrote that there was also a clan named Mersinoğulları
Restaurants in Mersin
1. Aynaligol (Gilindire) Magarasi
Overall Ratings
5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By CEYLAN A - eSKİŞEHİR
It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It is well preserved. The entrance could be improved. It is from the ice age.
2. Mersin Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Reviewed By foodgemini - Beirut, Lebanon
mersin marina is one of the best places to visit in Mersin day or night …best restaurants of all types are available in one area so you have a wide choice .. big chef restaurant is found there too where you can feed the fish in the marina water from your tables … nice shopping center available ..migros supermarket and wide choice of cafes are operating all day long …
The marina is the main attraction in Mersin and must go there ….
3. Ancient city of Diocaesarea-Olba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Corrine R - England, United Kingdom
So much to see in one location which is all listed in the title and more. One of the roman towers has been restored, so you can see the many levels and chambers in it, quite impressive compared to any others I have seen. There are also vendors/locals selling variouse items next to the ruins, so make sure to have extra Lira. A local also charged us 10 Lira to view the temple and surrounding monuments. Outside of town to the East is a large Aqua-duct If you walk past it through the canyon valley you'll discover many necropolises and sarcophagus. There looks to be a small establishment or large graveyard that is currently under restoration. When looking at this canyon on a map it is the same one that stretches for miles called Seytanderesi Canyon,the same canyon the ruins of Adamkaylar are located in located above Kizkalesi.
4. Kizkalesi Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By mustafa k - Mersin, Turkey
Kizkalesi located south of Turkey. Around 65 km behind Mersin city.
There are 2 Castles,öne of it in the middle of the sea.Beach is very famous. There are many hotels in kizkalesi.
There are many historical places around kizkalesi.
During romen empire Kız kalesi port used for oliveoil export point to all romen empire from kizkalesi.east side you can see debris of port and sea torch
5. Ataturk House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
6. Sunturas Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By DDore - South Easton, Massachusetts
The Santa Iras fish restaurant is not far from the falls. The fish meals are amazing. The chicken is good. The views are spectacular. It is worth the winding drive through the ever rising hills/mountains to find this hidden gem. The place is packed with locals and tourists in the summer. The view takes your breath away. I can imagine many local young women holding their wedding reception right here. But, watch our for the unusual bees in the summer. This would be an ideal place for a sunset romantic dinner. It is just a long way to the nearest hotel.
7. Alahan ManastIrI
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By crownvict - Ankara, Turkey
This place has a world heritage status. It is under restoration but still very beautiful. It is a 10 minutes drive from the highway.
8. Hz. Mikdat (Mugdat) Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By hayesy2015 - Mugla, Turkey
The town of Mersin, once a small fishing village, has developed rapidly over the last hundred years into a bustling port and industrial center, with over one million inhabitants.
With a backdrop of the Taurus Mountains it is a strange disorderly mixture of factories and warehouses which are home to the assorted industries which have sprung up.
The centre of the town is, however, in complete contrast, with very orderly streets filled with modern buildings laid out on a grid plan.
Mersin’s Mikdat Mosque known locally as the Mugdat Mosque is one of only three mosques in Türkiye with six minarets. The other two being the "Blue Mosque, Istanbul, and the Sabançi Mosque in Adana. Its foundations were laid in 1987, and it opened for prayers in 1992.
At the time, it fulfilled a great need that Mersin had for a new mosque.
Over the years, though, it was realized that more space was needed, so an extension was constructed to allow a further 1,000 people into the interior prayer area.
Not only that, but two more minarets were added to join the four existing ones.
The mosque has six minarets of 91 metres in height, with three balconies apiece.
The total capacity is now 6,000,but if the arcades and the sections to the west and behind the mosque are included, the capacity swells to around 10,000 people.
The architectural style carries traces of both Selçuk and Ottoman taste.
The complex boasts a conference salon, library, guesthouse and a health centre.
People gather and send their prayers from here to the places their friends and family are going, such as the Hajj or off to complete their military service.
Huge crowds, on nights such as Kadir Gecesi, Laylat al-Qadr, during Ramazan, gather at the mosque.
A central tannoy system is used to broadcast the "adhan", the call to prayer, from this mosque to other mosques in the city.
The Friday prayer sermons are broadcast to the island of Kibris, the Türkiyes Republic of Northern Cyprus, KKTC.
Visitors tie strips of cloth and paper to the trees around the tombs whilst making a wish for things such as new homes or new jobs. There are some who light incense here against “nazar” evil eye, or to make certain wishes come true.
Pilgrims travel from as far away as Germany and Saudi Arabia.
These practices are uncommon in Islam and are frowned upon by the conservative members of the local congregation.
9. Mersin Naval Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Turkey Mersin Naval Museum was inaugurated as the fourth naval museum on July 14, 2011 .
Reviewed By Marcell Kamberu A
I am a navy officer from Indonesia. I took advantages from visiting this museum. My insight and knowledge was added due to various naval history described in this museum. Dioramas equipped with videos on large screens helped me understand what it was telling me. There were also lots of maritime things and tools from past time. in addition, you can how the Turkish Navy has grown from time to time until the present day. If you love maritime and navy, you should not miss to visit this museum.
10. Castle of Gozne
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Diane H - Long Eaton, England, United Kingdom
Sadly the castle has been pretty much left and the only bits you can go in are generally locked. Mostly it's glorified picnic area with views over the Mountains down to the sea.
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