Gazipaşa

Day Trips

Arrive in Gazipaşa and check into your hotel. Take a leisurely stroll through the colorful local bazaar to sample fresh fruits and traditional pastries. Get acquainted with the friendly vibe of the town and watch locals go about their day.

Visit the ruins of Gazipaşa Castle perched on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean. Explore the small on-site museum to learn about the region’s centuries-old history. Pause by the harbor for panoramic views of fishing boats bobbing on the water.

Head to a seaside restaurant for fresh seafood and mezes. Enjoy a leisurely sunset walk along the promenade while the sky transforms into a palette of warm colors. End your evening with a glass of local pomegranate juice under starry skies.

Drive east to the ancient city of Selinus and wander among towering columns and weathered arches. Imagine life in antiquity as you read inscriptions carved into stone walls. Listen to the silence of the ruins punctuated by birdsong.

Continue on to Antiocheia ad Cragum to discover a less-visited archaeological site with a grand amphitheater. Admire mosaic fragments that hint at the city’s former splendor. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the ruins’ shaded nooks.

Return to Gazipaşa and relax on a quiet beach as the sun dips below the horizon. Choose a family-run beachside cafe for casual dinners of pide and ayran. Savor the gentle sound of waves as lights begin to twinkle along the shore.

Board a small boat in Gazipaşa harbor and set sail along the rugged coast. Feel the sea breeze on your face as you pass hidden coves and sea caves. Keep an eye out for dolphins leaping in the vessel’s wake.

Arrive at Kaledran Beach and swim in its crystal-clear waters. Lounge on the pebbled shore and snack on freshly caught seafood served at a rustic beach shack. Hike a short coastal trail to discover secluded bays with emerald waters.

Return to Gazipaşa on the boat as the sky turns golden. Unwind with a light dinner at a harbor-side taverna, enjoying the day’s catch grilled to perfection. Stroll back to your hotel under lantern-lit streets.

Set out early for the lush highlands of SaclıYayla. Follow a shaded trail through pine forests until you reach the cascading waterfall. Feel the cool mist on your skin as you explore natural pools at the base.

Venture on to nearby Kurbagalı Cave and marvel at stalactites and underground chambers illuminated by your headlamp. Learn about local legends of hidden treasures beneath the mountains. Enjoy a packed lunch amidst chirping crickets in the forest clearing.

Return to town for a traditional Turkish tea in a roadside tea garden. Watch as locals play backgammon and share stories of the day’s adventures. Finish with a hearty lamb stew at a cozy family restaurant downtown.

Head into the Taurus foothills for a day-long hiking expedition. Follow winding paths lined with wildflowers and ancient olive trees. Pause at viewpoints to gaze down at the glittering Mediterranean below.

Stop at a mountain village to rest and enjoy gözleme made fresh on a wood-fired griddle. Chat with villagers about their way of life and local farming traditions. Continue hiking to a secluded alpine spring to refill your water bottle.

Descend back to Gazipaşa town as the sky softens into dusk. Refresh with a cool shower and freshen up for dinner. Join a local family for a home-cooked meal of stuffed vine leaves and fresh salads.

Drive to the nearby village of Çıplaklı and observe traditional stone houses terraced on a hillside. Meet friendly villagers who offer freshly baked bread and local honey. Wander narrow lanes lined with pomegranate and citrus trees.

Continue on to Karagedik village for a cooking workshop on Turkish comfort foods. Learn to prepare eggplant dishes and hand-rolled manti dumplings under the guidance of a local grandmother. Savor your creations paired with chilled ayran in a sunlit courtyard.

Return toward Gazipaşa via country roads bathed in golden sunset light. Stop at a roadside orchard for freshly picked tomatoes and figs. Cap the day with a simple outdoor dinner beside your hotel garden fountain.

Join a certified dive center in Gazipaşa harbor for an introductory scuba session. Descend among rocky reefs alive with colorful fish and occasional octopus sightings. Capture underwater photos of dense sponge growth on submerged outcrops.

Surface for lunch on a boat and keep watch for loggerhead turtles gliding beneath the hull. Swim in calm coves and snorkel above flourishing seagrass beds. Return to port as afternoon light shimmers across the water’s surface.

Clean and dry your gear before heading to a beachfront lounge. Sip a cold Efes beer while watching the tide roll in. Enjoy a mezze platter of hummus, cacık, and dolma as gentle waves lap the shore.

Drive west to Alanya and ascend the cobbled path to Alanya Castle. Explore ancient towers, cisterns, and expansive ramparts with sweeping views of the city and sea. Photograph the red-tiled roofs clustered beneath the fortress walls.

Descend into Alanya’s old bazaar to browse stalls overflowing with spices, textiles, and handcrafted souvenirs. Stop for a lentil soup lunch in a hidden courtyard cafe. Drift through winding alleys to uncover local coffee shops serving aromatic brews.

Watch the sunset from Cleopatra Beach before returning to Gazipaşa. Choose a seaside spot for a late dinner of stuffed mussels and grilled vegetables. Reflect on the day’s discoveries under a canopy of stars.

Set out for the Yarikkuyak Plateau, a scenic highland area with panoramic coastal views. Wander beneath ancient Kasnak oak trees whose twisted branches provide natural shade. Listen to birdsong echoing across the plateau’s rolling meadows.

Enjoy a countryside picnic featuring local cheeses, olives, and homemade flatbreads. Visit a shepherd’s tent to learn about nomadic traditions in the region. Hike a short loop trail to spot wildflowers and fragrant thyme bushes.

Return to Gazipaşa as dusk settles over the Mediterranean. Freshen up before dining at a garden restaurant adorned with hanging lanterns. Indulge in a rich baklava dessert paired with strong Turkish coffee.

Enjoy a slow-paced breakfast on your hotel terrace overlooking the sea. Sip freshly squeezed orange juice and sample local jams made from figs and mulberries. Take a final dip in the hotel pool or by the shoreline.

Pack your bags and check out, then head to a nearby olive oil mill for a tasting session. Learn about traditional pressing techniques and purchase bottles of regional extra-virgin olive oil. Have a light lunch of meze and pide before leaving.

Transfer to Gazipaşa Airport or your next destination with fond memories of the region. Reflect on the rich mix of culture, history, and natural beauty you have experienced. Bid farewell to southern Turkey as the sun dips below the horizon.