Things To Do
in Seyhan

Seyhan is the central historic district of Adana, stretching along the Seyhan River and encompassing the city’s main cultural, commercial and civic landmarks. The neighborhood mixes grand Ottoman and Republican-era buildings, leafy riverside parks, bustling markets and the iconic Taşköprü stone bridge. Seyhan is a gateway to Adana’s famous cuisine — especially Adana kebabı and lively meyhane culture — while offering good access to parks, museums and riverside promenades.

Its urban feel is balanced by nearby natural attractions like Kapıkaya Canyon and the Taurus foothills for day trips.

Day Trips

Spend a day exploring around

day 1
Exploring Historic Center
morning
:

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at a local café, sampling traditional Turkish delights such as simit and çay. After your meal, take a stroll through the vibrant streets of Seyhan, where you can admire the stunning architecture of historical buildings dating back to the Ottoman Empire. Don’t forget to visit the Seyhan River and enjoy the serene views as the sun rises over the water.

afternoon
:

In the afternoon, explore the Adana Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts from various civilizations that once inhabited the region. After your cultural immersion, take a walk to the nearby Merkez Park, a lush green space perfect for relaxing or enjoying a picnic. As the sun begins to set, consider visiting the historic Sabancı Merkez Mosque, which is especially beautiful in the golden hour light.

evening
:

For dinner, indulge in Adana's famous kebabs at a local restaurant, where you can savor the unique flavors of the region. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll along the Seyhan River, where the city lights reflect off the water, creating a magical ambiance. End your evening with a visit to a traditional Turkish tea house, where you can unwind and enjoy the local atmosphere.

day 2
Cultural Delights and Culinary Exploration
morning
:

Begin your day by visiting the vibrant Seyhan Market, where you can experience the local culture and sample fresh produce and spices. Engage with friendly vendors and perhaps pick up some unique ingredients to use later in a cooking class. After exploring the market, head to a nearby café for a traditional Turkish breakfast, complete with olives, cheeses, and freshly baked bread.

afternoon
:

Join a cooking class where you will learn to prepare classic Turkish dishes, guided by a talented local chef. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow food enthusiasts as you chop, sauté, and simmer your way to a delicious meal. Once your culinary creations are complete, relish a leisurely lunch featuring the dishes you prepared together.

evening
:

After dinner, take a short walk to the Adana Merkez Park, where you can relax by the fountains and enjoy the evening breeze. If you're in the mood for entertainment, catch a traditional Turkish music performance at a nearby venue, immersing yourself in the local culture. Conclude your day with a nightcap at a rooftop bar, overlooking the illuminated city skyline.

Cost Guide

Prices

ItemPrice
🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant$8-15
Coffee at a café$2-4
🚌Public transport single ticket$0.50-1.00
🚕Taxi start / short ride$1.50-5.00
🏨Mid-range hotel (per night)$40-90

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Excellent regional cuisine and vibrant dining culture.
  • Central riverside parks and historic architecture make it scenic and walkable.
  • Good base for both urban sightseeing and nearby nature day trips.
  • Friendly locals and active street life with authentic markets.
  • Very hot and humid summers can be uncomfortable for some visitors.
  • Traffic congestion at peak hours and limited parking in the historic core.
  • English is not universally spoken outside tourist-oriented businesses.
  • Some attractions and services may have limited opening hours on holidays.
  • "Merhaba" - Hello
  • "Teşekkür ederim" - Thank you
  • "Lütfen" - Please
  • "Affedersiniz" - Excuse me / Sorry
  • "Hesap lütfen" - The bill, please
  • "Tuvalet nerede?" - Where is the restroom?
  • "Ne kadar?" - How much?

Places to Visit in Seyhan

Visit one of these nice places.

Sabancı Central Mosque

An imposing riverside mosque with striking domes and minarets; great for wide-angle shots, interior detail and sunset compositions over the Seyhan River.

Taşköprü (Stone Bridge)

A historic Roman/Armenian-era stone bridge spanning the Seyhan River—ideal for reflections, architectural detail and nighttime cityscape photos.

Büyük Saat (Great Clock Tower)

The tallest clock tower in Turkey, set in a lively square—good for street photography and documenting local life.

Merkez Park and River Promenade

Wide green spaces, modern landscaping and riverside paths provide scenic shots of city life, sculptures and natural light.

Kapıkaya Canyon Lookouts

Dramatic canyon vistas and river bends just outside the city make excellent landscape photography subjects at sunrise or late afternoon.

Culinary Guide

Food in Seyhan

Seyhan’s cuisine reflects Adana’s reputation for bold, grilled flavors and generous meze: expect smoky kebabs, fresh salads, rich breads and cooling desserts. Street food is ubiquitous and inexpensive; dining ranges from traditional kebapçı shops and meyhanes to modern riverside restaurants.

Seyhan Famous Food

Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food

Adana Kebabı

Finely minced, seasoned lamb or beef kebab grilled on skewers—best found at traditional kebapçı restaurants and casual grill houses near the river and bazaars.

Must-Try!

Ciğer (Grilled Liver)

Thinly sliced lamb liver, quickly grilled and often served with salad and bread; popular at late-night stalls and small eateries around the city center.

Bici Bici

A light, icy dessert made with crushed ice, starch pudding and syrup—excellent at street carts and summer dessert shops in Seyhan.

Şalgam

A tangy fermented turnip juice commonly served with kebab meals—found at kebab restaurants and street vendors.

Food Markets

Explore local food markets

Büyük Saat & Surrounding Bazaars

Traditional markets and lanes around the clock tower are full of street food stalls, spice shops and local produce — try roasted corn, grilled ciğer and local pastries here.

Riverside Stalls and Night Vendors

Evenings bring sellers of grilled meats, kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes) and sweet treats along the Seyhan River promenade.

Climate Guide

Weather

Seyhan has a Mediterranean (hot-summer) climate: hot, humid summers with long sunny periods; mild, wetter winters with most of the annual rainfall between November and March; spring and autumn are transitional and generally pleasant for outdoor activities.

How to Behave

Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior

Greetings and Respect

Polite greetings (a smile, ‘Merhaba’) and showing respect to elders are important; shake hands in casual business or social settings but follow cues—some conservative people may prefer less physical contact.

Mosque Etiquette

Dress modestly when visiting mosques—cover shoulders and legs, remove shoes on entrance, and women may be asked to cover their hair with a scarf.

Dining Customs

Sharing plates and meze is common; use the right hand for eating when using hands, and avoid public displays that might be seen as disrespectful.

Photography

Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and older people; be cautious photographing government buildings or sensitive sites.

Safety Guide

Safety

Seyhan is generally safe for tourists, with common-sense precautions advised: watch belongings in crowded markets, be cautious with late-night solo walking in less busy areas, avoid engaging in political demonstrations, and take care when crossing busy streets. Heat-related issues are a concern in summer—carry water, wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged midday exposure.

Tipping in Seyhan

Ensure a smooth experience

Tipping Etiquette

Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory—rounding up small bills is common in taxis; in restaurants, 5–10% is typical for good service, and a small tip for hotel staff or guides is customary.

Payment Methods

Turkish lira (TRY) is the local currency; credit and debit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and shops, but carry cash for small vendors, markets and dolmuş minibuses. ATMs are common and many exchange services are available at the airport and downtown.

Best Time to Visit

And what to expect in different seasons...

Summer

Hot and often humid, with daytime temperatures frequently above 30–35°C (86–95°F); plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening, stay hydrated and seek shade during midday.

Autumn

Warm days and cooler nights make autumn pleasant for sightseeing; fall is a good time for outdoor dining and hiking as temperatures moderate.

Winter

Mild to cool with occasional rain and temperatures typically between 5–15°C (41–59°F); snow is rare in central Seyhan but possible in nearby highlands.

Spring

Blooming parks and comfortable temperatures make spring an excellent time to visit—perfect for festivals, river walks and outdoor photography.

Nightlife Guide

Seyhan at Night

Seyhan and greater Adana offer a relaxed but lively nightlife: riverside restaurants and meyhanes fill up with diners and live music, while local bars and cafés cater to a younger crowd. There are occasional live concerts and cultural events, and the atmosphere is more low-key compared with Turkey’s big party cities—expect convivial, food-focused evenings and late dining.

Hiking in Seyhan

Immerse in an unforgettable hike.

Kapıkaya Canyon (Kapıkaya Tabiat Parkı)

A scenic canyon with short to moderate trails, cliff viewpoints and opportunities for picnic stops—about a short drive from Seyhan and ideal for half-day outdoor excursions.

Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park

Historic open-air museum and natural park with marked trails, ancient inscriptions and wildlife—good for a cultural-hiking combo and family outings.

Anavarza (Anazarbus) Ruins

Archaeological site featuring a large ancient city and castle with walking paths and panoramic hilltop views—suitable for history-minded hikers and photographers.

Taurus Foothills (day trips)

Short drives lead into the lower Taurus Mountains for more challenging trails, village treks and cooler mountain air during summer months.

Airports

How to reach Seyhan by plane.

Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA)

The main airport serving Adana, about 3–5 km from Seyhan—offers domestic flights to Istanbul and other Turkish cities and some international connections; reachable by taxi, shuttle or local bus.

Hatay Airport (HTY)

Located to the east near Antakya, roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive—an alternative for some regional connections and rental-car access to eastern Mediterranean destinations.

Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport (GZT)

Further east (around 2–3 hours by road), useful if combining travel with Southeastern Turkey destinations; primarily domestic and limited international flights.

Getting Around

Walkability

Central Seyhan is quite walkable—many sights (Sabancı Mosque, Taşköprü, Büyük Saat, Merkez Park) are within easy walking distance along flat promenades. Side streets in the historic core are pedestrian-friendly but can be crowded; suburban areas and some attractions outside the district require public transport or a car.

Demographics

Explore demographics in this area.

Urban Turkish Population

The majority of Seyhan’s residents are ethnic Turks involved in commerce, public service and local industries; the district contains families, professionals and retirees.

Youth and Students

A visible younger population attends local universities and works in service industries, contributing to café culture and nightlife areas.

Migrant and Minority Communities

The region includes Kurdish and Arab minority communities and internal migrants from nearby provinces; cultural diversity is reflected in cuisine and neighborhood life.

Popular Sports

Explore popular sports in region.

Football

Football is the dominant sport—local teams have passionate followings and matches create lively atmospheres; public pitches and neighborhood clubs are common.

Basketball

Basketball is popular at amateur and youth levels, with local clubs and school teams active across the city.

Water Sports and Swimming

On nearby Mediterranean coasts visitors can enjoy swimming and seasonal water sports; riverside rowing and recreational boating are also enjoyed locally.

Transportation

Traffic

Traffic can be heavy during morning and evening rush hours, especially on bridges and main arteries leading into the center; expect congestion near commercial districts. Public transport options include city buses, dolmuş (shared minibuses) and taxis—cards for buses are used for fare payment. While there is no widespread subway network, local bus services are frequent and practical for most routes.

Accomodations

Find the best place to stay when visiting Seyhan.

Dietary Restrictions

Tips for restricted diets.

Vegetarian

Vegetarian options are available—look for mezeler (eggplant, bean, bulgur dishes), gözleme and grilled vegetables; however many main restaurants center on meat, so ask staff and seek out vegetarian-friendly cafés and meze-only plates.

Vegan

Vegan choices are more limited but possible through salads, mezeler (e.g., mercimek köftesi), stuffed vegetables and fresh bread; communicate restrictions clearly as many dishes contain butter or yogurt.

Gluten-free

Bread is central to many meals; gluten-free options are not widespread—ask about preparation methods and favor grilled meat, rice dishes and salads.

Halal

Most restaurants serve halal meat by default in this predominantly Muslim area, but ask if you need certification for specific diets.

Health & Medical

Healthcare

Adana has good healthcare infrastructure for the region, including public hospitals (e.g., Adana Şehir Hastanesi) and private clinics; pharmacies (eczane) are common in central neighborhoods with on-call services for nights and weekends. Travel insurance is recommended; for emergencies dial local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.

Discover Turkey

Read more in our Turkey 2025 Travel Guide.

Turkey Travel Guide