Antakya & Çukurova — 5 Days

Arrival in Hatay and check-in. The day covers Church of St. Peter (Cave Church), Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum & The Museum Hotel Antakya (world's largest single-piece mosaic) and Uzun Çarşı (Long Bazaar) & Historic Hans. Carved into the lower slope of Mount Habib-i Neccar (ancient Silpius/Starius) on the northeastern edge of Antakya, the Church of St.

1. 08:30 - 09:10 Church of St. Peter (Cave Church)· 40 dk

   Tour coaches can drive up to the entrance car park; since the final stretch of the approach road is narrow, morning hours are preferred. Parking: Parking is available at the church entrance (Küçükdalyan road).

   The entrance terrace and stone facade (together with the rock mass above); the altar and marble statue of St. Peter inside the cave; a panorama of the Antakya plain from the facade.

   Limited; the stone stairs leading to the entrance and the sloped approach are difficult for wheelchairs, and the cave floor is uneven.

2. 09:40 - 10:40 Necmi Asfuroğlu Archaeology Museum & The Museum Hotel Antakya (world's largest single-piece mosaic)· 60 dk

   Well suited to tour coaches; direct entry and exit at the museum car park, with trouble-free drop-off and pick-up. Parking: The Necmi Asfuroğlu Museum car park (city's northern entrance) — suitable for cars and coaches, with ample capacity.

   The suspended walkways where light filtering between the steel columns frames the mosaics; the upper terrace overlooking the world's largest single-piece floor mosaic; the exterior showing the hotel 'floating' above the ruins and the forest of columns; the display case of the intact Eros statue.

3. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

4. 11:10 - 12:40 Uzun Çarşı (Long Bazaar) & Historic Hans· 90 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter the narrow stone streets; they generally drop off at wide points around Kurtuluş/Kemalpaşa Streets or nearby museum car parks, and passengers walk a short distance into the bazaar. Parking: There is no parking within the bazaar itself; vehicles are left in roadside and municipal car parks around Kurtuluş and Kemalpaşa Streets, and the bazaar is entered on foot from there.

   The stone-arched courtyard and two-storey arcades of Kurşunlu Han; the narrow covered tradesmen's lanes; colourful spice, laurel-soap and za'atar stalls; the copper trays of kunefe masters; the façade of the Sokullu (Yeni) Mosque and the stone arches at the bazaar entrance.

   Limited. Kerbless, sloping and sometimes uneven stone surfaces, together with narrow lanes, are challenging for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility; a companion is recommended. Post-earthquake construction areas may further restrict access.

5. 13:10 - 14:55 Free time — bazaar, centre & shopping· 105 dk

   Free time to explore the bazaar and support local trade (~1.5–2 hours).

   Street texture, tradespeople and handicrafts.

Route Hatay, Antakya

The day covers Antakya Old Town (Ancient Antioch), Hatay Archaeology Museum and Antakya Künefe & Cuisine (UNESCO City of Gastronomy). Antakya Old Town is the living core of ancient Antioch (Antioch on the Orontes), founded in 300 BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals.

1. 08:30 - 11:30 Antakya Old Town (Ancient Antioch)· 180 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter the old town's fabric; they use the Archaeology Museum / Necmi Asfuroğlu car park or the St. Peter car park, and groups continue on foot from there. Parking: The Hatay Archaeology Museum / Necmi Asfuroğlu car park (north entrance) and the St. Peter Church car park (at the foot of the hill) are the main parking points.

   Narrow stone lanes and dead ends, han courtyards, Uzun Çarşı façades, the Habib-i Neccar minaret and dome, the Kurtuluş Avenue axis, the old town's silhouette from the bridge over the Asi (Orontes) River.

   Limited. Narrow, sloping and quake-damaged stone surfaces are challenging for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility; an escort is recommended.

2. 12:00 - 13:45 Free time — bazaar, centre & shopping· 105 dk

   Free time to explore the bazaar and support local trade (~1.5–2 hours).

   Street texture, tradespeople and handicrafts.

3. 13:45 - 14:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

4. 14:45 - 16:30 Hatay Archaeology Museum· 105 dk

   Tour coaches can drive directly into the museum car park to drop off and pick up passengers; ample manoeuvring space is available. Parking: The museum has its own large visitor car park with sufficient capacity for cars and coaches.

   Overhead frames from the walkway bridges looking down onto the huge floor mosaics; in front of the Yakto (Abandoned Ariadne) and Megalopsychia hunt panels; the general interior view of the wide-span contemporary exhibition hall.

5. 17:00 - 17:40 Antakya Künefe & Cuisine (UNESCO City of Gastronomy)· 40 dk

   Tour coaches drop off at the bazaar entrance / museum car park; the künefe-shop streets are reached on foot, as vehicle access is restricted in the narrow lanes. Parking: The Hatay Archaeology Museum / Necmi Asfuroğlu car park and the municipal car parks around the bazaar are the most practical options for the central künefe shops.

   The çiğ köfte kneading and serving of künefe cooking on the copper tray over open flame; the stretching cross-section of fresh cheese; the moment of sprinkling pistachios; the tel kadayıf masters' counters in Uzun Çarşı; and the pouring of hot syrup.

   Varies by venue; ground-floor salons opening onto the street are wheelchair-suitable, while historic han interiors and stepped entrances can be restrictive.

Route Hatay, Antakya

The day covers Habib-i Neccar Mosque, Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls, Vakıflı Village (Turkey's Last Armenian Village) and Beşikli Cave (Roman Rock Tombs). Habib-i Neccar Mosque stands at the very heart of Antakya's historic old town, on the lower slopes of the Habib-i Neccar (Staurin) mountain to which it lends its name, and is…

1. 08:30 - 09:10 Habib-i Neccar Mosque· 40 dk

   Large tour coaches cannot enter the narrow historic streets; they drop off at the museum or St. Peter car park, and groups walk 5-10 minutes to reach the site. Parking: Parking is limited in the surrounding narrow historic streets; the nearest large car parks are at the Hatay Archaeology Museum / Necmi Asfuroğlu and the Church of St. Peter.

   The courtyard arcades; the frontal composition of the single-balcony minaret with the renewed dome; the overall silhouette set against the mountainside; details of the tomb entrance and ablution fountain.

   Partly accessible; the restoration improved the ground surface, but sloping stone paving and narrow streets are challenging for wheelchairs — assisted access is recommended.

2. 09:40 - 10:55 Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls· 75 dk

   Tour coaches can pull into the parking areas around the entrance; group drop-off and pick-up take place in front of the entrance gate, though manoeuvring on the narrow side roads can be limited. Parking: Parking areas are available at the waterfall entrance and at the surrounding restaurants and tea gardens; the entrance area can fill up in peak season.

   Directly opposite the main cascade on the lower terrace; the wooden footbridge over the valley; the mossy stone steps and springs framed by laurel trees. Water flow peaks in spring; the light is softest in the afternoon.

   Partial. The entrance area and upper tea gardens are more accessible; the stepped, sloping lower terraces are challenging for wheelchairs, so an accompanying companion is recommended.

3. 11:25 - 12:40 Vakıflı Village (Turkey's Last Armenian Village)· 75 dk

   Large tour buses cannot enter the narrow, sloping village streets; they usually park in the open area below the village, and the group reaches the centre and the church with a short uphill walk. Midibuses and minibuses can reach the village entrance. Parking: In-village parking is limited; visitors usually park in the open area below the church and at the village entrance, then continue on foot with a short walk.

   The facade and bell tower of the Surp Asdvadzadzin church; the Mediterranean view framed between stone houses; the citrus and laurel terrace gardens; the panorama point at the village entrance overlooking the Samandağ plain and the sea.

   Limited. The sloping, stone-paved streets are difficult for wheelchairs; the church courtyard and the lower parts of the village are more accessible, while the upper neighbourhoods involve a challenging incline.

4. 13:10 - 14:10 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

5. 14:10 - 14:55 Beşikli Cave (Roman Rock Tombs)· 45 dk

   Tour buses can approach the Çevlik/Titus Tunnel car park; the final approach to the cave is on foot via a path and steps. Parking: Parking is available along the shore (Çevlik/Titus Tunnel); parking by the shore is free, while a small car-park fee may be charged for driving in.

   The tunnel's rock-cut canyon passage; the cave's arched arcosolium tomb niches and cradle-shaped sarcophagus troughs; the sea-facing terrace and the view over Çevlik harbour; the composition of the path at the tunnel exit with the cave facade.

   Limited: as access to the cave involves a path, rocky ground and steps, it is difficult for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility.

6. 15:25 - 16:55 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Hatay, Antakya, Defne, Samandağ

Transfer from Hatay to Adana. The day covers Stone Bridge of Adana (Taşköprü), Adana Kebab & UNESCO Gastronomy Trail and Great Mosque of Adana (Ulu Cami). The Stone Bridge, known locally as Taşköprü, is a monumental Roman bridge spanning the Seyhan River and is widely regarded as the oldest and most enduring symbol of Adana.

1. 08:30 - 11:00 Transfer from Hatay to Adana· 150 dk

   Inter-city transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle; short rest stop en route.

2. 11:00 - 11:30 Stone Bridge of Adana (Taşköprü)· 30 dk

   Tour coaches use the Merkez Park and Sabancı Central Mosque car parks; groups walk a short distance from there to the bridge. As the bridge is pedestrian-only, vehicles cannot cross it. Parking: There is no parking at the bridge itself; the nearest options are the Sabancı Central Mosque / Merkez Park car park and the surrounding city-centre car parks.

   A frame from the west bank placing the six-minaret Sabancı Central Mosque behind the arches; a long perspective of the arcade from bridge level; sunset shots with water reflections from the Merkez Park shore; the bridge's silhouette at golden hour.

   As the bridge is pedestrianised and relatively level, it can be crossed by wheelchair; however, the historic stone surface is uneven and sloped in places, and the bank ramps may require assistance.

3. 12:00 - 13:30 Adana Kebab & UNESCO Gastronomy Trail· 90 dk

   Tour coaches drop off at the Sabancı Mosque/Merkez Park car park; groups walk to the historic bazaar. Coaches cannot enter the narrow lanes of Kazancılar/Kabasakal. Parking: The nearest major car park is at the Sabancı Central Mosque and Merkez Park; vehicle access into the bazaar is restricted, so visitors walk in from these car parks.

   Wide skewers arranged over glowing charcoal and the master at the grill; the copper stalls of the Kazancılar Bazaar and smoky grill-house fronts; a porsiyon table set with sumac onions, lavaş and charred pepper; glasses of spicy şalgam and ayran; the nearby Ulu Cami courtyard and the Great Clock Tower silhouette.

   The ground is largely flat and central, but historic cobblestones and the narrow, crowded bazaar lanes make wheelchair access partly difficult; the larger grill-house restaurants on the main streets are more accessible.

4. 14:00 - 15:00 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine (outside half-board).

   Local spread and presentation shots.

5. 15:00 - 15:40 Great Mosque of Adana (Ulu Cami)· 40 dk

   Tour coaches cannot enter the narrow streets of the historic bazaar; the group is dropped at the Merkez Park / Sabancı Mosque car park and walks in through the bazaar (~800 m). Parking: Parking directly beside the mosque is limited; visitors generally use street/car parks around the Coppersmiths' Bazaar or the Merkez Park - Sabancı Mosque car park and walk in.

   The angle framing the minaret from the courtyard; the black-and-white marble-banded western portal and facade; the İznik-tiled mihrab and tile-clad tomb sarcophagi; the domed arcades of the medrese courtyard.

   The ground-floor prayer hall and courtyard are largely level and wheelchair-accessible; however, historic thresholds, stone flooring and the bazaar's uneven streets may require an escort.

6. 16:10 - 17:40 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Adana, Seyhan

The day covers Sabancı Merkez Mosque, Adana Archaeology Museum and Adana Museum Complex (Former National Textile Factory). The Sabancı Merkez Mosque (Sabancı Central Mosque) is Adana's best-known landmark, rising on the western bank of the Seyhan River in the Seyhan district, immediately south of… Transfer at the end of the tour.

1. 08:30 - 09:10 Sabancı Merkez Mosque· 40 dk

   Suitable for tour coaches; drop-off and parking areas for buses are available around Merkez Park / the mosque. Parking: Ample parking around the mosque and the adjoining Merkez Park, suitable for both coaches and cars.

   The six-minaret silhouette from the opposite (east) bank of Taşköprü; the pond edge in Merkez Park; the Seyhan riverside promenade; the main dome from the inner courtyard; illuminated shots at sunset.

2. 09:40 - 11:10 Adana Archaeology Museum· 90 dk

   Tour coaches can pull directly into the complex car park; there is generous manoeuvring space and a nearby drop-off/pick-up point. Parking: Ample visitor parking within the Adana Museum Complex; sufficient capacity for cars and tour coaches.

   The facade and entrance of the National Textile factory; the tall, long colonnaded corridor; the Mosaic Exhibition Hall displaying the Misis mosaics; the Achilles and Medusa sarcophagi; the Magarsus bronze statue.

3. 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch — local flavour stop· 60 dk

   Lunch break of regional cuisine.

4. 11:40 - 13:25 Adana Museum Complex (Former National Textile Factory)· 105 dk

   A dedicated car park with entrance, drop-off/pick-up and manoeuvring space is available for tour coaches; suitable for large groups. Parking: A large free car park within the complex, sufficient for both private cars and large groups.

   The brick factory chimney and saw-tooth roofline on the entrance façade; the 'Noah's Ark' mosaic and panoramic display in the mosaic hall; the gallery of Roman marble sarcophagi (Achilles sarcophagus); the statue of Tarhunda.

5. 13:55 - 15:25 Free time — city centre· 90 dk

   Rest and free exploration (~1.5 hours).

Route Adana, Seyhan