Cheap Tickets to Adana

Located in sunny southern Turkey, about half an hour's drive from the shores of the Mediterranean, Adana offers almost everything tourists could desire. On one hand, it's a beautiful place with a charming old core and some exceptional museums to explore. But the real riches of the destination start when you discover the surrounding area. For instance, Tarsus is a few miles to the west and was one of the most important centres in early Christianity. There are Roman mosaics to see in Iskenderun, Byzantine cities like Dilekkaya and even older Hittite remains at Karatepe. It's an endless feast for anyone with an interest in where civilisation came from. But that's not the only reason to book flights to this corner of southern Turkey. There's also the Mediterranean Coast, where bright blue waters lap at picture-perfect beaches, fascinating ancient sites dot the coast and fishing villages serve up fresh dishes. And that's not all: if you can tear yourself away from the coast, there are other inland attractions such as some gorgeous waterfalls. With the city itself, a stunning coast and plenty of nearby attractions, this is a seriously appealing destination.

Things to do

Adana itself is full of interesting sights, but don't feel confined: explore! This is a destination where some exceptional attractions are a (very) short drive away, and highlights include:

• Take a stroll around the enchanting ancient city

Adana has been around for three thousand years making it one of the oldest settlements in the world. For tourists, that means there's plenty to see. There are elegant mosques like Ulu Cami, a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and a fine Archaeology Museum full of Greek and Hittite treasures.

• Perfect your tan on the Mediterranean Coast

A little wilder than the Turquoise Coast to the west, the Cilician coast is more beautiful, not as busy and perfect for serious sun-seekers. There are some modern resorts like Kızkalesi, but most of Turkey's south-eastern coast is unspoiled and gorgeous, with coves and villages aplenty.

• An incredible destination for ancient history lovers

Ancient Tarsus was the birthplace of St Paul, one of the founders of Christianity, and you can get a great feel for what life there was like 2,000 years ago in the town's Antik Şehir. But don't miss other historical sites like Anavarza Castle either.

Calendar of Events

South-eastern Turkey has festivals and events to match anywhere on the Mediterranean coast, and in Adana are some of the annual standouts:

• The International Adana Film Festival. One of the most prestigious film events in the Middle East, the city's Film Festival takes place in June and sees global stars competing for the Golden Boll.

• The Orange Blossom Festival. April sees the city hosting a truly unique event. As the streets are filled with the scent of Orange blossom, locals honour their favourite fruit with music and flamboyant processions.

• Food and Music Fest. The best place to try specialities like lahmacun (Turkish pizza) and kebabs is the city's Food Fest. Be there in October to blend great dishes and music.