3 Best Sights in Silifke, The Turquoise Coast

Remains found throughout the town of Silifke, in the vicinity of the castle, indicate that there was a settlement here as far back as the Bronze Age. Most of what can be seen today are from the Roman city known as Seleukeia Trachea, or Calycadnos Seleuceia, and include Corinthian columns from the 2nd-century-AD Temple of Zeus, a stone bridge, and an ancient water cistern. A few kilometers out of the village, you'll find the remains of a basilica dedicated to St. Thecla, St. Paul's first convert and the first female Christian martyr. Most interesting is the cave church below it where Thecla lived—the Patriarchate in Istanbul now organizes services here occasionally. There is a 6th century cistern at the site as well.

Local finds, some dating as far back as the Bronze Age, are displayed in the small Silifke Müzesi, just on the edge of the city center towards Anamur. The specimens of Roman jewelry are particularly lovely, and there is also a folkloric exhibit.

The small village of Uzuncaburç, in the mountains north of Silifke, makes a nice day trip. It's dotted with the ruins of Diocaesaria Olba, a town run by the priests of Zeus Olbios. Along the ancient main street you'll see a theater, a curious columned structure that once marked the main crossroads, a fountain, a temple of Tyche, and another temple dedicated to Zeus. This temple is one of the earliest surviving Corinthian-style buildings, whose score of upright columns make for an evocative sight. North of the temples is the impressive North Gate, and to the northeast is a well-preserved five-story watchtower. The most straightforward road here is signposted from Silifke: after about 8 km (5 miles), you'll pass ancient Imbriogon (Demircili), where there are four temple tombs.