A calm port town in southern Turkey with Ottoman-era houses and a busy harbor. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood, and beaches stretch along the Mediterranean coast.
İskenderun sits on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, established by Alexander the Great in 333 BCE. Walk along the palm-lined waterfront to see the striking globe monument, step inside the 1871 Cathedral of the Annunciation, or visit the Naval Museum to examine Ottoman ship models and navigation instruments. In the evening, try fresh prawns at waterfront restaurants or taste warm künefe at local pastry shops. Take a day trip to swim at Arsuz beach or explore the 16th-century stone halls of Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai.
Getting to İskenderun
You can reach İskenderun by flying to Hatay Airport (45 minutes away) for domestic flights or Adana Airport for international connections. The city connects to Turkey's main road network via the O-53 motorway. While there is a train station, trains don't currently run due to ongoing renovation work.
Local Transportation
The city center is walkable, but you'll need taxis to reach the bus station. A taxi ride within the center costs around 10-15 TL. City buses run throughout İskenderun, though routes can be difficult to understand without Turkish language skills.
Exploring the Waterfront
The Mediterranean waterfront has a wide promenade lined with palm trees. A large globe monument stands among the gardens, surrounded by flags of Turkic nations. At the eastern end, you'll find the Central Bank building with its 1930s Art Deco design, geometric patterns, and blue-and-white decorative tiles.
Historical Buildings
The Cathedral of the Annunciation, built in 1871, has twin bell towers and stained glass windows. The Surp Karasun Manuk Armenian Church contains carved stone details and traditional Armenian crosses. At the Naval Museum, you can examine Ottoman ship models, navigation instruments, and read about the 1939 incorporation of Hatay into Turkey.
Local Food
Restaurants along the waterfront serve Mediterranean fish and prawns caught daily. Try künefe - a dessert made with thin, crunchy pastry filled with unsalted cheese and soaked in sugar syrup. Local kebab shops prepare döner wrapped in thin dürüm bread, and many restaurants serve Antakya-style dishes like kibbeh with tart pomegranate syrup.
Day Trips from İskenderun
The Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai in Payas, 25 km north, has stone archways and courtyards where traders once rested their caravans. Arsuz, 35 km southwest, has several kilometers of sandy Mediterranean beaches. At Soğukoluk Plateau, 17 km south, you can walk through pine forests with views of the Mediterranean coast.
Climate and Local Produce
İskenderun has temperatures above 30°C in summer and around 15°C in winter, with rain from December to February. In the surrounding countryside, you'll see orange, tangerine, and lemon orchards. Some farmers even grow mangoes. The Yarıkkaya, a strong wind, blows through the city's streets during spring and autumn.
