ADANA

Practical update (August 2026): This article describes our original trip. Taşköprü is a Roman-era bridge with later repairs; restaurant, hotel, festival and museum details should be checked before visiting.

Türkiye is a true gastronomic country: not only every region, but almost every city has its own distinctive cuisine. Adana is one of the finest examples.

We took a short trip to Adana—perhaps Türkiye's most delicious city—on 29 October. We had wanted to visit for ages, so when Pegasus launched a sale we bought our tickets all the way back in June. The trip became even more enjoyable when our friend Sabri, whom we met during Erasmus and who is from Adana, showed us around his hometown. Even as autumn was nearing its end, we filled our days with sunshine and wonderful food. Here are our photo-filled memories from Adana. Whether you go in winter or spring, put the city on your list—and if you can catch the Kebab and Şalgam Festival in December, formerly known as the Rakı Festival, all the better.

Things to See and Do in Adana

Sabri picked us up from Adana Airport early in the morning and drove straight to the railway station in the city centre. We had really come here to park the car, but the station looked so much like a scene from an old Turkish film that we loved it. If you are nearby, do not pass without taking a look.

Adana is as humid as it is hot, yet it is remarkably green. Almost every avenue has been landscaped, enormous parks appear everywhere, and the streets are impressively orderly. The humidity also helps almost tropical plants thrive. Orange trees are everywhere too, making the city look a little like FarmVille. =)

Atatürk Park

Magnificent palm trees =)

After a long walk through the green parks and a glass of banana milk at Kazım Büfe, we reached the banks of the Seyhan River. Almost everyone who visits Adana goes to seeTaşköprü. This Roman-era bridge, a symbol of the city, connects the districts of Yüreğir and Seyhan. Still standing proudly, it is about 310 metres long. After hours on foot, we sat on a few stools set out by a tea seller beside the blue-green Seyhan River and enjoyed a much-needed tea break.

Taşköprü with Sabancı Central Mosque behind it

The view from our tea stop.

We continued along the river through leafy paths until we reached Merkez Park, one of Türkiye's largest urban parks and home to Sabancı Central Mosque. We were not used to seeing quite this much greenery in the middle of a city, so we were captivated by the blue Seyhan River, Sinanpaşa Suspension Bridge and the many different plants.

Sabancı Central Mosque

Sinanpaşa Suspension Bridge

The park covers 33 hectares, and its sculptures were created by the Faculty of Fine Arts. Before it opened in 2004, the site held the old bus station, a scattering of houses and empty land.

Gökay's bicycle was a little too big—he can use it again next year. =)

Merkez Park has 12 pools.

Several of Adana's museums sit close together. The Cinema Museum and Atatürk Museum, both housed in restored traditional Adana homes, are only about 150 metres from the Archaeology Museum. The Cinema Museum displays film posters, personal belongings and other objects connected with people from Adana who contributed to Turkish cinema. The Atatürk Museum occupies Suphi Paşa Mansion, where Atatürk stayed during his 1923 visit to Adana, and contains documents and photographs from that trip.

Kazancılar Bazaar and Büyük Saat are among Adana's most attractive historic sights. Kazancılar is a traditional covered bazaar. Büyük Saat, the 32-metre clock tower that entered service in 1882, is often described as Türkiye's tallest clock tower. Walking through the bazaar, we watched centuries-old trading traditions adapt to modern life in tiny shops. The colourful prayer beads and the irresistible aromas from kebab restaurants caught our attention most.

Adana Ulu Mosque is a 16th-century structure from the Ramadanid era and part of the Ramazanoğlu complex. Before Sabancı Mosque was built, it was the city's largest mosque. Its architecture, with Mamluk and Seljuk influences, was very impressive.

Late in the afternoon, our lovely host Sabri took us to Çukurova University to watch its famous sunset over the Seyhan Dam Lake. The view wasprobably the most spectacular we had ever seen from a university canteen. We sincerely congratulate anyone who managed to graduate despite this distraction.Like the other students, we drank tea while watching the view and let the tiredness of the long day fade away.

What to Eat in Adana

Now for the highlight of the trip: a brief dive into the Adana cuisine everyone dreams about. Because we arrived early, we began at Kazım Büfe with banana milk and a toasted kaşar cheese sandwich. We had not known about the banana-milk tradition before coming and were surprised by how widespread it is. Kazım Büfe is generally considered one of the best places for it. One curious detail: an order comes with one large and one small glass, so a single serving can be more than enough for two people. In Adana's fierce heat, it is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

For Adana kebab, we went to Dede Kebap on Turgut Özal Avenue, one of the city's main roads. The place felt quite polished. In an unexpected opening, they served pasta with curry sauce, followed by a tableful of meze. Do not dismiss pasta in a kebab restaurant—it was delicious. We still remember the roasted mushrooms too. Then came small lahmacun and Adana kebabs, which we found magnificent. Every Adana kebab we had eaten before suddenly seemed rather humble by comparison.

These were only the appetisers served before the kebab.

Adana kebab =)

The funny part was our spirited waiter insisting after all that food, “I won't let you leave; I'm having liver cooked for you too.” We protested several times but could not stop him, so we finally agreed to one skewer each. A scorching-hot liver dish arrived at the table—but look what came out of it! =D

Kadayıf with sliced ice cream =)

Arzu Şalgam is one of the best-known places to try another Adana speciality: şalgam juice. We were told it was made through entirely natural fermentation. It can also be served with carrot, and isa tart, red drink produced by fermenting purple carrot, turnip and bulgur starter. We loved it. Having reached master level in şalgam, we doubted we could ever return to the plastic-bottled versions. Stands like these act almost like neighbourhood bars: people stop, order, drink while standing and chat with whoever else is there. They are a genuine part of everyday street life.

Finally, on the morning of our departure, we were both excited and slightly nervous about eating liver for breakfast. We expected it to be heavy, but everyone we spoke to—and everything we had read—suggested it would be a shame to leave without trying it. So we went to Birbiçer Kebap. While the complimentary tomatoes, shepherd's salad, parsley and onions were already making our heads spin, the liver skewers arrived straight from the grill and made us very happy. It really does work at breakfast; you could wake up early just dreaming about it.

Where to Stay in Adana

We stayed at Anemon Hotel Adana, about five kilometres from the city centre and next to M1 Real shopping centre. The hotel was nicely designed and breakfast was excellent. We shared our detailed experiencehere.

If You Have Upcoming Travel Plans...

When you make a purchase by clicking our links, we get to earn a small commission but you still pay the same price. So, it's a win-win for everyone!

Book hotels via Booking.com

Find Cheap Flights via Skyscanner

Get a Travel Insurance via World Nomads

Make International Money Transfer via Wise

Book Tours & Attractions via Getyourguide

Book a Cruise

Book Bus/Ferry/Train/Transfer via 12goAsia

Find free accommodation in exchange for petsitting