The province of Mersin, located on the Mediterranean coast in the southern part of the country, is one of the 81 provinces of Turkey. It has typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and warm winters. November and December are usually quite bathing season. The temperature in winter stays between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the lack of high humidity, the hot time in the city is tolerated better than in many other Mediterranean cities.
The unique geographical position of the region forms a coastline with natural and historical sights, sandy bays and clean beaches, eleven of which have been awarded blue flags.
Like all regions of historic Asia Minor, the province of Mersin has a rich, often underappreciated cultural heritage. Ancient monuments of different eras are literally right under your feet. It is, without any exaggeration, a paradise for history lovers.
Legendary Cappadocia, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Wonders of the World, is just a three-hour drive from the city of Mersin. A dream destination for hundreds of millions of people from all over the world, it is accessible to the region's inhabitants at least every weekend.
Unlike the west coast of Turkey, this region has long been undeservedly neglected by tourists due to poor transportation accessibility. Adana's only small regional airport is an hour's drive from Mersin, the provincial capital. The D-400 coastal highway from Antalya Airport to Mersin, although very scenic, is quite tiring due to the large number of mountainous roads of the Western Taurus with speed limits of 20-30 km/h.
All these transportation inconveniences are a thing of the past. Currently, the construction of the expressway is being completed, tunnels are being built, and new interchanges and roads are being constructed. The same 460 kilometers from Antalya to Mersin, which used to take 8-9 hours, can now be traveled in 6 hours, and with the opening of new sections of the highway, this period will be reduced to 4-5 hours.
But the main transportation event that will affect the entire region will be the opening of the new Cukurova International Airport. The construction of the second hub after Istanbul in terms of size and capacity (more than 30 million passengers per year) has been underway since 2013, and as of 2023 its readiness is more than 95%. Its schedule will include direct flights to many countries in Europe, America and Asia. With the opening of the airport, it will be possible to reach Mersin from any city in the European part of the continent in just 2-3 hours without any connections. Undoubtedly, the opening of the new airport will provide a significant increase in the number of tourists in the region and open an easy and quick way for people from many countries to travel to this wonderful region.
Compared to the western part of Turkey, Mersin has a relatively low cost of living. Prices are about half as low and you can buy food and various non-food items very inexpensively. For example, the price of pomegranates at the bazaar in December 2023 was about 20-30 liras (0.8 - 1 dollar) per kilogram. The province's agriculture specializes in the production of citrus fruits, bananas and strawberries. An abundance of lemons, tangerines and pomegranates, which literally hang from the trees even in winter.
Municipalities allocate a lot of money for infrastructure, improvement and cleaning of coastal towns, embankments and beaches. You won't see overflowing garbage cans or animals scavenging for garbage. Animals, by the way, here is a special attitude, dogs and cats are fed by all residents, drinkers and feeders are everywhere. That is probably why there are no aggressive and angry dogs here.
There are jogging and cycling paths, fitness equipment, sports and children's playgrounds along the seaside. Medical services are well
developed in public and private clinics.
All conditions for education have been created
There are municipal as well as private schools with quite democratic prices. For example, in 2023 the cost of a year's education in a private
college cost about 2,000 dollars. And this is with three meals a day, excursions, water park and an extensive educational program, including
the study of three foreign languages.
The locals are friendly and curious about foreigners, always ready to help in banks, stores and just on the street.
Once here, you will realize in a short time what true Turkish hospitality is.
Security here is such that stealing a bike once a year becomes a discussed event for a long time. Store goods just stand on the street, and the
clerk at the market will stop counting your money leaving it on the counter and go looking for something at your request.
The flow of life here is smooth and measured, you have to get used to the fact that all issues and problems are solved, but nothing is
solved quickly and you have to sit, talk, drink a lot of tea and only then get down to business.
Many questions usually arise regarding the possibility of earthquakes and the seismic safety of the region. Obviously, when choosing where
to live in or buy real estate, this is a very important factor.
The province of Mersin is one of the most earthquake safe regions in the country. Absence of serious seismic activity for centuries.
Well-preserved architectural monuments from the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine eras. The first high-rise building was constructed in 1987 in
Mersin. It rises 177 meters above the city and has 52 floors.
In addition, Turkey's first nuclear power plant Akkuyu is being built in the Mersin region due to the strict seismic safety requirements of
such facilities.
It is enough to look at the seismic zoning map of Turkey to see that the region is safe.
To summarize the following.
When you come here for a vacation or buy a property for investment or permanent residence, you are buying more than a vacation or a home.
You get peace of mind, health, safety and security for yourself and your loved ones.
And this in today's world is a very, very important acquisition.
Probably the most important.
