10 vibes for Mersin

Here are 10 tips if you want to experience golden sandy beaches along the Mediterranean, plateaus with a magnificent nature, virgin bays, wonderful waterfalls, magical caves and amazing tastes like locals in Mersin.

All products grown in the fertile soil of Mersin, where the Eastern Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains meet, are very delicious. Taste the local delicacies and try tantuni, liver shish, şalgam suyu, Silifke yoghurt, sıkma, karsambaç and pickled stonecrop to enjoy the region's refined delights. Don't miss the Mediterranean blue crab and lobster accompanied by delicious local mezes. Citrus jams, cezerye and künefe will sweeten your palate and will be perfect gifts to take home with you.

Immerse yourself in the blue Mediterranean to cool off during a warm day. Tisan Bay, Yapraklı Bay and Susanoğlu Beach are among the magnificent and the most popular bays of Mersin.

Taking a daily boat tour from Taşucu, you can first stop by Barbaros Bay, then go to Dana Island and enjoy your lunch served on the boat. You can swim along the Caretta Caretta sea turtles and visit the famous mosaics and ancient ruins in the historical Tisan Bay, one of the wonders of the world. You can drive back to Taşucu from the magnificent Boğsak Bay.

Narlıkuyu stands out with its historical values and natural treasures as well as with the fish restaurants around the turquoise bay. Stop by the Narlıkuyu Mosaic Museum to admire the location's cultural heritage.

Locals of Mersin prefer to spend the hot summer months in the plateaus of the region where the Mediterranean climate prevails. If you want to enjoy the oxygen and the lush nature in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, you can visit Çamlıyayla, Gözne, Fındıkpınarı, Soğucak, Arslanköy or Kızılbağ plateaus.

Yerköprü Waterfall, located on Ermenek Stream in Mut, charms the visitors with its natural beauty, wonderful view and peaceful atmosphere. The waterfall falling from a height of 29 metres is enchanting with its turquoise lake, untouched stalactites, and rich vegetation.

The natural wonder Kisecik Canyon, located in Çamlıyayla and called as "hidden paradise" by local people, is reached through steep slopes. You can swim in the cool waters of the canyon, which hosts the unique views of the Taurus with its magnificent nature.

Fall in love with Göksu Delta, located at the point where Göksu River flows into the Mediterranean. It is one of the few bird migration routes in the world. It is home to rare and endangered bird species and the delta is a centre of attraction for birdwatching. April and September are known as the most intense migration months in the delta, and if you want to observe many rare bird species in the world, you can visit the delta with your binoculars and equipment. You can accompany the vibrant world of birds that create interesting visuals and listen to the sounds of birds and nature at any time of the year.

Maiden Castle is one of the most well-known places in Erdemli and the symbolic structure of Mersin coastline. With its magnificent walls preserved until today, the castle is located on an islet in the middle of the sea 600 metres from the shore and the castle is also included to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2014.

There are many trekking routes of different difficulty levels in Mersin for those who love nature sports. Dragon Trail, Kadıncık Valley Trail and Atlılar Village Trail are among the most popular of them. In addition, Mersin's magnificent plateaus, canyons, waterfalls, and rivers offer a wide variety of outdoor sports activities. You can spend a pleasant day in the nature by choosing one of the sports activities such as paragliding, jeep safari, rafting, mountain hiking and trekking. The underwater world of Mersin coastline is also very rich. Tisan (Dana) Island and Barbaros Bay are among the most preferred diving destinations.