Places to visit
Things to do in Silifke
34 destinations, each with a description, how long it takes and where it sits on the map.
In short
toroti’s catalogue holds 34 described destinations within Silifke, Mersin. The themes that come up most: History, Nature, Local culture, Coast, Museum, Culture.
Diokaisareia Antik Kenti
In the Hellenistic Period, the present-day settlement of Uzuncaburç, which was the place of worship of the Olba Territorium located 4 km. east of central Uzuncaburç, was separated from Olba in the Roman Period, in 72 during the time of Emperor Vespasianus, and became an autonomous city minting coins in its own name under the name Diokaesareia (City of the God-Emperor).
45 minutes
Prensesin Ayak İzleri Parkuru
It is a route carried out among ancient cities and ruins approximately 40 km long between Silifke Uzuncaburç and Kızkalesi. On the route starting from Uzuncaburç, the Uğuralanı-Cambazlı stage is 16 km, the Cambazlı-Hüseyinler stage is 12 km, and the Hüseyinler-Kızkalesi stage is 12 km. On the route organized in the ancient areas where the life and reign of Olba Queen Aba took place, the walk can be organized as 3 or 4 days.
45 minutes
Altinorfoz (silifke-mersin)
When you go 20 m offshore by boat to the western side of the bay where Altınorfoz Hotel is located (the side facing Susanoğlu) and descend to a depth of 9 m to 15 m, there is a wall on the seabed. If you go from the middle of the area called Lahit toward Cyprus, you will come across rocky areas. In dives made here, sea hares, seahorses, various fish and seashells, and sea urchins can be seen.
45 minutes
Silifke Akyar Koyu
In Akyar, where the seabed structure is sandy and rocky, when descending to a depth of 14 meters, a ridge can be followed in the direction of Kızkalesi. If one turns toward the inside of the cove, diving can be done at depths of 8 meters to 12 meters. The seabed has a sandy and rocky structure. If one descends from the western corner (cape) of Akyar, Ayı Mağarası, which has a height of 3 meters, a length of 10 meters, and a rocky seabed structure, can be seen.
45 minutes
Büyükeceli Koyu
Wall diving can be done in the area from Tisan Koyu to the right as far as Büyükeceli. If you go out by boat from in front of Hayat Motel in Büyükeceli and turn right, wall diving can be done in the small coves as far as the Atom Santrali. Mersin Tourism Activities Important Note: For the safety of life and property, do not dive without obtaining the necessary permits and taking safety precautions.
45 minutes
Narlikuyu (silifke-mersin)
When descending to a depth of 9 m from the east of Narlıkuyu, Fok Mağarası, with a sandy and rocky bottom structure, a height of 3 m and a length of 5 m, can be seen. Here, since fresh water mixes with the sea, cold water is encountered. Important Note: For the safety of life and property, do not dive without obtaining the necessary permits and taking safety precautions.
45 minutes
Susanoğlu (silifke-mersin)
If you go 100 m out to sea by boat from Susanoğlu and dive to 9 m, a 1 km long ridge can be seen on the seabed. The ridge, which starts from Susanoğlu beach, extends as far as Yapraklı Koyu. Important Note: For your safety of life and property, do not dive without obtaining the necessary permits and taking safety precautions.
45 minutes
Taşucu Amphora Müzesi
Arslan Eyce donated the amphora collection to the Taşucu Education and Wildlife Conservation Foundation in 1997, and the museum, opened in the arched historic building dating from the 1800s, was approved by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1997 as Taşucu Amphora Museum. In the museum, which has the distinction of being the first and only amphora museum in Türkiye, commercial amphorae collected after becoming caught in the nets of fishermen off Taşucu, Mersin and Antalya are exhibited.
45 minutes
Göksu Deltası (silifke)
Numerous bird species that use Göksu Deltası as a wintering and breeding area contribute to the formation of an interesting and vibrant landscape in almost every season of the year, further increasing the Delta’s recreational potential and attractiveness. As a result of the research conducted, it was determined that birds use Göksu Deltası both as a wintering and breeding area, while some were identified as resident species.
45 minutes
Pityussa / Dana Adası
It is a settlement on a large island located to the northeast of Aphrodisias and to the southwest of Güvercin Adası. The city, founded together with Aphrodisias, became an independent city, Pityussa, in the Roman Period. The island city had close commercial relations with Cyprus, Egypt, Aphrodisias, Komardias, Holmi and Seleukeia. In the Ancient City of Pityussa, there are numerous water cisterns, houses from the Roman Period, sarcophagi, baths, and church ruins from the Byzantine Period.
45 minutes
Olba Antik Kenti
It was the center of the Kingdom of Olba and an important trading city in the Hellenistic Period. Olba was also an important religious center. Especially during the Christian period, this is evident not only in written sources but also in the remains of religious architecture.
45 minutes
Adamkayalar
Among the compositions on the slope of the Adamkayalar reliefs, which are set within eleven separate frames, the most frequently repeated figures are those belonging to the four funerary banquet scenes. In these scenes, the deceased are shown either alone or together with their spouses and sons. In the Adamkayalar reliefs, the sons of the deceased and also two male reliefs are depicted as soldiers.
45 minutes
Narlikuyu Mozaik Müzesi
In 1975-1976, the museum was created by enclosing the mosaic floor belonging to a Roman Period bath structure within a building. Narlıkuyu Cove served as a sea gate in Antiquity and the Byzantine Period for those coming to worship and visit Cennet-Cehennem. This settlement, known as Porto Calamie in the Middle Ages, had a magnificent bath. From this bath structure dating to the 4th century AD, only the water trough and the floor mosaic in the bathing section have survived to the present day.
45 minutes
Aya Thekla Manastiri
The history of Meryemlik begins with the arrival of Saint Thekla here. Influenced by the sermons of St. Paul, one of the apostles of Prophet Jesus, 17-year-old Thekla devoted herself to Christianity. While this esteemed student of St. Paul was spreading Christianity in Konya and Yalvaç, she was subjected to the pressures of the pagans, and when she learned that she would be killed, she fled to Seleucia and hid in a cave that was later converted into a church.
45 minutes
İmbriogion / Demircili
On the facade of the two-storey structure, whose roof covering has collapsed, there are four columns bearing Ionic capitals below and Corinthian capitals above. Next to this tomb there is also a rock tomb. About 300 metres further on from here, on the right, two monumental tombs standing side by side are the most striking works. The architectural decorations and the artistry in the workmanship of these two-storey tomb structures, the inscription, reliefs and animal sculptures show that the tomb belonged to an important family.
45 minutes
Silifke Atatürk Evi Müzesi
The structure, a two-storey house within a garden, was built in 1914 using wood and stone materials. The building, expropriated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1982, was opened to service as the Silifke Atatürk House Museum after being restored. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited Silifke four times, both due to efforts to establish cooperatives and farms and because of his domestic trips.
45 minutes
Astim Mağarası
Astım Cave, located in Hasanaliler neighborhood in Narlıkuyu bay in the Silifke district of Mersin, is located 600 metre northwest of the Cennet-Cehennem Caves. Gülcan Acar The cave, believed to be good for asthma patients, is visited especially by those who want to open their breath because of its air, which is the subject of legends. Gülcan Acar The cave is descended into with the help of a spiral-shaped iron staircase.
45 minutes
Cambazli Kilisesi
There are ruins belonging to the Late Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods. Roman Period funerary monuments and the church belonging to the Early Byzantine Period are worth seeing. This church is the only church in the region that has survived in the best condition up to the roof level. It has three naves, and although the columns on the north side that separate the naves of the church have collapsed, they still stand inside the structure. Some column capitals are spolia.
45 minutes
Tisan Yarımadası
Tisan Peninsula is a place hidden behind the mountains, 31 km southwest of the Silifke district. Described as the hidden paradise of the Mediterranean, Tisan Peninsula, located at a point where blue and green meet, is actually an ancient city founded as a Greek colony. This paradise bay of the Mediterranean, where the historical texture and natural beauties blend, virtually captivates those who see it.
60 minutes
Tekfur Ambari Sarnici
It is a Byzantine Period water cistern made by carving the existing bedrock in the lower part of the hill on which Silifke Kalesi stands. It is 45 metres long, 23 metres wide and 12 metres deep. The cistern is entered by a staircase at its southeast corner. It is known among the local people as Tekir Ambarı.
45 minutes
Silifke Taş Köprü (roma Köprüsü)
It is in the center of Silifke district. It was built in A.D. 77-78 by the Governor of Cilicia, L. Octavius Memor, in the name of the Roman Emperor Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitianus. The Stone Bridge over the Göksu River preserved its original form until the end of the XIXth century. It has been repaired and altered many times. The greatest known restoration was carried out in 1875 by Silifke Mutasarrıfı Mehmet Ali Paşa. In 1972, widening works were carried out on the bridge.
45 minutes
Silifke Kalesi
According to foundational findings, the castle, understood to belong to the Hellenistic or early Roman period, has the appearance of a Medieval castle today as a result of the repairs and alterations it underwent. In his Seyahatname, the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi writes that in the 17th century Silifke Kalesi had 23 bastions, and that there was a mosque and 60 houses inside. However, since some of the bastions and the interior of the castle are completely ruined, it is not possible to make a full determination.
45 minutes
Boğsak Plajı
Boğsak is 8 km from Taşucu and 102 km from Mersin. Boğsak Cove is the beach of Boğsak Village of Taşucu. This beach, with fine sand and small pebbles, has a Blue Flag sea and very clean air. Boğsak Island, located directly opposite Boğsak Cove, serves as a natural breakwater. Boğsak is an untouched hidden paradise, far from development and without masses of buildings.
60 minutes
Tekne Turu
Daily boat tours are organized in Anamur, Silifke-Taşucu and Erdemli-Kızkalesi. The tours generally take place between 10.00 in the morning and 18.00 in the evening. During the tour, meals and fruit are served. However, you can bring food with you. On tours with various entertainment and animations, swimming breaks are given at certain intervals.
45 minutes
Uzuncaburç Yaylası
The town, located 27 km north of the district of Silifke, is accessible by asphalt road. Minibuses can be found from Silifke. The town, which was established on the ancient city of Olba Diokayzerim, lives intertwined with history. Country coffeehouses, country restaurants, grocery stores, PTT, Health Center, and Gendarmerie provide services. It is possible to meet basic needs in the town.
45 minutes
Silifke Müzesi
Silifke Museum is 2 storeys and is located within a garden. In the museum, where archaeological and ethnographic works are exhibited, works belonging to the Neolithic Period, starting from the years 1200 BC, the Archaic, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods are exhibited.
45 minutes
Azize Thecla Yeraltı Kilisesi
Thekla, aged 17, who was influenced by the sermons of St. Paul, one of the apostles of Prophet Jesus, devoted herself to Christianity. While this valuable student of St. Paul was carrying out propaganda to spread Christianity in Konya and Yalvaç, she was subjected to the pressures of pagans, and when she learned that she would be killed, she fled to Seleucia and hid in a cave that was later converted into a church.
30 minutes
İmbriogon Kalıntıları
On the facade of the two-storey structure whose roof covering has collapsed, there are four columns carrying Ionic capitals below and Corinthian capitals above. Next to this tomb, there is also a rock tomb. About 300 m. further on from here, on the right, two monumental tombs standing side by side are the most striking works. The architectural decorations of these two-storey tomb structures and the artistry in their workmanship, inscriptions, reliefs and animal sculptures show that the tomb belonged to an important family.
30 minutes
Taşucu Amfora Müzesi
In the Museum, which has the distinction of being the first and only amphora museum in Türkiye, commercial amphorae collected after getting caught in fishermen’s nets off Taşucu, Mersin and Antalya are exhibited. The works exhibited within the Museum shed light on the region’s vibrant commercial relations in the Ancient period. The many different types of amphorae recovered also prove that the region was in commercial relations with the important centers of the ancient world. In the Museum, between the 7th century B.C. and A.D.
45 minutes
Hisardağ Ve Gedikdağı
The area, which has an area of 4763,5 hectares, is located 15 km northwest of Silifke District and has an altitude of 900 m. The area, consisting of forest and steep rocks, is a wild goat protection area. The flora of the area, which is used for hunting tourism and recreation purposes, consists of red pine, leafy species, herbaceous plants and mushroom species. Its fauna consists primarily of the protected species wild goat, wild boar, porcupine, squirrel, badger, marten, fox, jackal and various bird species.
45 minutes
Susanoğlu Plajı
Susanoğlu Plajı is a public Blue Flag beach on the coast at Silifke.
60 minutes
İmamuşağı Plajı
İmamuşağı Plajı is a public Blue Flag beach on the coast at Silifke.
60 minutes
Cennet - Cehennem Mağaraları
The Heaven and Hell Caves are a natural and historical tourist attraction located near Silifke - Narlıkuyu.
45 minutes
Emirzeli (İmirzeli) Harabeleri
Emirzeli Ruins offer a historical richness with its structures from the early Byzantine period.
30 minutes