A small boat sails across the calm, turquoise sea at sunset in front of a coastal town with white houses, with wooded mountains in the background.

Mersin

Published: 05 August 2025, 13:00

Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains

Welcome to Mersin, the charming city on the southern Mediterranean coast! It is still considered an insider tip among Turkey's travel destinations. Located between Antalya and Adana, Mersin belongs to the province of the same name. Where the Mediterranean meets the Taurus Mountains, Mersin combines urban life with Mediterranean flair. Whether you want to spend a relaxing day at Mezitli beach, stroll along the promenade, take a break in a street café with a glass of Turkish tea, or visit the Archaeological Museum, this coastal city offers both city and beach vacations. Just an hour away, natural paradises such as Gümüşkum Beach, the impressive coastline of Kızkalesi, and unspoiled, quiet bathing bays await. Mersin was once an important trading center and still impresses today with archaeological sites and ancient cultural treasures.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: + one hour
Population: 1.1 million
Official language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)

City trip to Mersin

View from the opposite bank of a city with a striking white skyscraper in the center, surrounded by smaller buildings, palm trees, and boats along the coast. Mountains rise in the background.

Walk with a sea breeze: Atatürk Park runs along the coast as a waterfront promenade with palm trees, sculptures, and benches - ideal for lingering and enjoying sunsets. © Özgür Güvenç/stock.adobe.com

City view with illuminated buildings, harbor facilities, and ships on the calm sea under a deep blue sky in the evening light.

Ahoy and cast off: Not only can you take boat trips to small islands from the harbor, but you can also find restaurants, cafés, and boutiques here. © muratart/stock.adobe.com

Wide street with cars and palm trees, in the background is a large mosque with six slender minarets and a dome, surrounded by multi-story residential buildings.

The second largest mosque outside Istanbul: the Muğdat Mosque impresses with six minarets and is considered the religious and cultural center of the city. © Elena Odareeva/stock.adobe.com

Modern building with a light-colored natural stone façade and large glass windows. The façade features a bas-relief depicting historical figures. A shallow water channel runs in front of the building.

From the Stone Age to modern times: anyone interested in the history of this region will find just what they are looking for in the Archaeological Museum. © Özgür Güvenç/stock.adobe.com

Sunset over the sea with a medieval castle on a small island off the coast.

Day trip to the “Girls' Castle”: The dolmuş (minibus) travels along the coastal road to the medieval Kızkalesi Castle, which can be reached by boat when the sea is calm. © Hakan Tanak/stock.adobe.com

Mersin Province – Nature with fantastic beaches

Mersin is the perfect place to combine a city break with a beach vacation. As the capital of the province of the same name, Mersin offers access to destinations between the Turkish Mediterranean coast and the Taurus Mountains. One highlight is the Yerköprü Waterfall in the hinterland – a green paradise for hiking and enjoying nature. Kızkalesi Beach is also impressive thanks to its location directly opposite the “maiden's castle” Kızkalesi on a small island where, according to legend, a princess was hidden. Surrounded by cliffs and pine forests, Tisan Beach not only offers a peaceful atmosphere but is also ideal for snorkeling. Mezitli Beach is particularly popular with families, as it boasts shallow waters and cozy beach bars. Cape Tisan is an insider tip: a secluded, mountainous peninsula with crystal-clear bays.

Discoveries in the province of Mersin

Several narrow waterfalls plunge into a turquoise blue pool surrounded by large rocks and dense green vegetation.

Natural wonders with hiking trails, a cave, and a refreshing dip: the Yerköprü Waterfall, which plunges 30 meters into a grotto, offers all this and more—perfect for a day trip. © Suzi/stock.adobe.com

A historic fortress with several towers made of light-colored stone is located directly on a sandy beach, surrounded by the turquoise sea and gentle waves.

Around the ruins of Korykos: The beach near the famous Kızkalesi castle, about 30 kilometers west of Mersin, is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. © Hakan Tanak/stock.adobe.com

A wide coastal landscape with turquoise blue sea and a curved pebble beach. Small rocks can be seen in the foreground, with green fields and mountains in the background.

In the south of the province of Mersin, Anamur Beach stretches along the coast with beautiful sandy beaches. The ruins of Anemurium are also worth a visit. © nejdetduzen/stock.adobe.com

Aerial view of a coastal landscape with turquoise blue sea on the right and shallow lagoons on the left. A sandy strip, partly covered with green vegetation, separates the two bodies of water.

The Sand Mahallesi beach is located in Taşucu, a district of Silifke. Sea turtles come here to lay their eggs. Swimming is permitted outside the protected areas. © yakupyener/stock.adobe.com

Panoramic view of a picturesque coastal landscape with a turquoise blue bay surrounded by green hills. In the foreground, white houses can be seen nestled among green vegetation.

Insider tip for fantastic bathing bays: Cape Tisan is located on a remote peninsula surrounded by wooded slopes, steep cliffs, and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. © Elena Odareeva/stock.adobe.com