Practicalities

The centre of town is Menderes Caddesi, around fifteen minutes’ walk from the otogar along İnönü Caddesi. Silifke’s helpful tourist office is at Veli Gürten Bozbey Cad 6 (Mon–Fri 8am–noon & 1.30–5pm; t 0324/714 1151), reached by way of the Roman bridge spanning the Göksu River.

Hotel possibilities are limited. The Arısan Pansiyon on İnönü Caddesi (t 0324/714 3331; €19 (40TL) and under) is not far from the otogar. Its rooms are bright and come with a fan, though some smell quite smokey; you pay 5TL more for an en-suite bathroom. Best-positioned hotel in town is the Göksu Hotel, Atatürk Cad 16 (t 0324/712 1021, e [email protected]; €29–38 (61–80TL)), on the north riverbank, with large, well-furnished rooms with air conditioning and TV, and wonderful views over the river, bridge and castle. The two-star Otel Ayatekla, opposite the otogar (t 0324/715 1081; €29–38 (61–80TL)), is comparable to the Göksu, with an excellent restaurant and bar.

There are lots of basic places to eat and drink, but most close after dark, leaving you with only a few options for an evening meal. The Göksu Hotel serves excellent food and beer in its waterside garden, though you’ll need to book in advance, as they cook to order. The Gözde Lokantası, on a quiet alley off Menderes Caddesi, a couple of hundred metres from the river, has decent sulu yemek and grills for around 7–10TL for a full meal. For a dessert, cross the river and head for the popular Özkaymak Pastanesi, just down from the Göksu Hotel on Atatürk Caddesi. The şübiyet, a kind of baklava with cream, is particularly good; it also does a range of savouries, including decent burgers.