Speaking of holidays in Turkey, we most often mean such resorts as Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Marmaris, etc. However, near the southern coast of the country there are many resort cities with a rich historical past and cultural present, for example, Adana (Turkey). In Europe, this city is known for its interesting and varied cultural life. Every year, international film and theater festivals are held here, for example, the Altın Koza International Film Festival, which has been held since the late 60s of the last century. Also frequent are tour concerts of the stars of the classical genre and the world stage, various large-scale events.
Adana is not a seaside resort, so it is often not interesting for beach lovers. However, from here to the coast is only 50 km. And guests of the city, after exploring all the sights of Adana, can go to the coast in Mersin or Tarson and enjoy the beauty of the sea and a magnificent beach holiday. And Adana is located on the banks of the Seyhan River, or rather,divides it into two parts. Most of the hotels in the city are located in such a way that they offer a beautiful view of the river scenery.
A bit of history
The city of Adana (Turkey), which is the fourth largest city in the Turkish Republic, in ancient times was under the rule of the Roman, Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Cilicia, etc. The city has thousands of years of history. According to legend, it was founded by Adanus, the son of Uranus. Hence the name of the city. Only for the last 6-7 centuries Adana was first part of the Ottoman Empire, then the Republic of Turkey.
Today the city is divided into two parts: the old (with mosques, noisy oriental bazaars, barn hotels) and the modern, which is known in the world as the new Europeanized city of Adana. Turkey (see photo in the article), although it is considered a European country, but if you look closely, it represents a mix of several cultures throughout its territory: Muslim and Christian, Eastern and Western, European and Asian.
Adana, despite the fact that it was conquered by the Ottomans in the 14th century, was considered an Armenian city until the beginning of the 20th century. Since the time of Tigran the Great, this city was part of Great Armenia, for the second time it passed into the hands of the Armenians during the time of the Cilician kingdom. Since then, most of the population of Adana (more than 70%) were Armenians. In 1909, 6 years before the date of the Genocide, the Young Turks staged pogroms in the city and slaughtered the Armenian population of Adana. The city was on fire, rivers of blood flowed, but some indigenous people still managed to hide from their pursuers,they soon found refuge in neighboring countries: Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Kuwait.
Today, during city tours, Turkish guides do not say a word about the fact that Armenians once lived here, that many of the sights of the city were created by the masters of this ancient people. In the vicinity of the city, you can see the ruins of the fortresses of the Cilician kings and princes, which are unique monuments of medieval architecture.
How to get there?
You can get to Adana by air, rail and road. Domestic Turkish flights fly here from Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya and the capital Ankara. Sakirpasa Airport is located on the outskirts of the city. From here you can get to the center either by taxi or by dolmush, which is much cheaper. You can also get to Adana from the capital and Istanbul by train or comfortable regular buses. Two city bus stations are located in the city center, in close proximity to the five-star Hilton Hotel and 4 km from the center. By the way, the city has a subway, which is very convenient for exploring attractions and museums.
Climate
Mild and comfortable climate is what attracts Turkey. Although Adana is not a seaside resort, it is also located in a very favorable climatic zone. It is never cold here, but there is also no sweltering heat. In summer, the air temperature warms up to a maximum of 32-33 degrees. Precipitation in the summer is not so much to spoil the rest of visiting tourists, inin winter, it rains here, snow can fall once or twice during the season.
Turkey, Adana Hotels
Do you like to travel in comfort? Let's say Turkey is next on your list of countries. Adana is a city that has all the conditions to make your trip interesting and exciting, and a stay at the Hilton Hotel will allow you to relax in comfort.
The Hilton 5 is the most prestigious hotel and the tallest building in Adana. It is located in a picturesque place, on the banks of the Seyhan River. Naturally, the hotel, owned by one of the most reputable hotel brands, is built in the very center of the city. Here guests of the city are provided with a premium service.
There is another five-star hotel in Adana - Surmeli Cukurova. It is located on the outskirts of the city, closer to the airport. It is also convenient to walk to the shopping and historical center. Tourists who make shopping tours mainly stop here, and those who are not indifferent to history and came here for the purpose of sightseeing tours.
Among four-star hotels, Mavi Surmeli Hotel, Akkoc Butik Hotel are especially popular. By the way, many Asian 4 hotel brands prefer countries like Turkey. "Adana Park", "Adana Plaza", "Adana Saray" - all of them are representatives of well-known hotel chains. In all these hotels, tourists will meet the highest level of service. All of them are beautifully decorated and furnished in a modern style, equipped with the necessary for the comfort of visitors.household appliances, Internet connection, etc. By the way, the cost of living in these hotels is quite reasonable. For example, a single room costs from 20 euros per night.
More budget hotels can also be found in Adana, such as Inci Hotel, Sedef, Garajlar and Konya and Garajlar. Unlike hotels 4and 5, here you need to pay for all services separately.
Kitchen and restaurants
And what dishes is Turkey famous for? Adana is famous for its adana kebab, which is made exclusively from fatty lamb meat. The most popular drink here is Şalgam (turnip juice) or raki, a traditional alcoholic drink. The best restaurants in Adana where you can taste national cuisine are Kazancilar, Yüzevler Sercan and Bici Bici. And the best pastry shop serving homemade ice cream is Mado.
Attractions
There are many historical architectural monuments in Adana: mosques and minarets of the 15th-16th centuries, Turkish baths (16th century), a two-thousand-year-old Roman bridge that still functions to this day, as well as the ruins of Christian temples and churches. The city also has many historical and ethnographic museums.
Reviews of tourists about this southern city are sometimes enthusiastic, and less often - more calm. There are tourists who say that the city did not make the proper impression on them, others praise the service in restaurants and cafes with might and main. Fans of river landscapes talk about how pleasant it is to watch the river from the windows of hotels located on the river.the peaceful flow of the river. In short, Adana is a must-visit place!
