Adana is the fourth largest city of Turkey, nestled in the most fertile agricultural area of the whole country which is fed by the lifegiving waters of River Seyhan.

Adana dates back to 6000 B.C., during the time of antiquity, Adana and the region around it was called Cilicia, it became the homeland, in turn, for Phoenicians, Assyrians, Hittites, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Abbasies, Seljuks and Ottomans.That' s why Adana has been called cradle of civilizations

The city's name originates in mythology, where it was said to have been founded by Adanus, the son of Kronus (God of Weather).

Due to its being in the heart of that fertile center Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries dating back to the Hittites. The precious River Seyhan is spanned by the ancient Taskopru (Stone Bridge) which was built by Hadrian and then repaired by Justinian. It is worth noting that to built a 300 yards long stone bridge in Roman times was a real feat.

In the city, the 16thcentury Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), the Yag or Eski Mosque, the Hasan Aga Mosque, Saat Kulesi (the clock-tower) built in 1882, an old covered bazaar, Bedesten or Arasta are of interest. Also be sure to see the Ethnographical Museum where Turkish carpets, swords, manuscript books and tombstones are exhibited. The building itself is interesting as well since it was built as a church by the Crusaders. The Adana Archaeological Museum merits visiting too. Adana is also famous for its delicious Adana Kebap.The tea houses and restaurants alongside the Seyhan Dam and Lake provide a cool and perfect view of the city and the river at sunsets.

Yumurtalik (84 kms from Adana) and Karatas (50 kms from Adana)are the nearest beaches with proper accommodation. In Yumurtalik there is an ancient harbour castle contributing much to this pretty fishing city. For fishing, there is Camlik Park 30 kms southwest of Adana

There are some ancient cities on the road to Iskenderun which include Roman remnants. Misis is on the caravan route that came from China, India and Persia. Among the remains of Roman times, the most interesting is the elegant mosaic of the 4th century A.D representing Noah's Ark. Yilanlikale has the ruins of a fortress set atop a peak dominating the River Ceyhan. Dilekkaya, the ancient Anavarza, was an important RomanByzantine city which still preserves the outline of the old city including two particularly worthwhile mosaics. Karatepe National Park is the neoHittite site where you will find the remains of the summer residence of King Asitawada, tablets of Hittite and Phoenician inscriptions, and an openair museum holding many remnants. Castabala and Toprakkale are the other historical remains. Karsanb Forest, Burucek, Tekir, Horzum, Zorkun meadows are ideal for picnicking and resting.

museums and historical sites

• The Adana Archeological Museum was built in 1924 and museum is considered to be a museum of the whole region, because the ancient artifacts exhibited were found not only during the excavations in the Adana area but also were excavated in other towns Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Mersin (Yumuktepe), Tarsus (Gözlükule) and Tarsus. Religious artifacts are also displayed.
• The Adana Ethnography Museum is in the center of Adana, in the Kuruköprü district. There are antiques from the Çukurova Turkoman tribe and also Islamic stone antiques, Turkish carpets, swords, manuscript books and tombstones are exhibited. The building itself is interesting as well since it was built as a church by the Crusaders. 
• Adana Ataturk Museum is a house of masonry and timber in Tepebað was built in the 19th. century and the location where ATATÜRK stayed as a guest on 15 March 1923. This building was converted into a museum in 1981.
• Ulu Mosque was built by Halil bey in 1507, and enlarged in 1541 with the addition of a building. The mausoleum of Halil Bey is also here. The mosque was built from soft stone. There is a monumental portal with large-lettered Arabic inscription, and there are eight minarets. The mosque is an interesting example from the 16th century. It is famous with its octagonal minarette, double colored rock and Iznik tiles.

• The Stone Bridge was built as a Roman masterpiece over the Seyhan River was built by architect Auxentios in the 4th. century A. D.  

•   Ramazanoglu Bazaar is located in the Ramazanoglu  complex, it has been the center of trade since the 16th century. In earlier times, there were shops walled on three sides and open on the fourth; ateliers and khans, and special goods were offered. Now there are only two covered markets, the portal of Gön Khan and Bazaar Turkish bath .
• Karatas -  Magarsus Ruins
  In this ancient harbor-city can be seen remains from the Hellenistic and the Roman periods, including Margasus Castle, Atehama temples and a theatre. Bird paradise on Akyatan Lake is a must-see; here there are also Caretta and Green Turtles. There are many kinds of fish in Tuzla and Karatash. Another ruin in this city is called Malos.
• Yumurtalik Ruins -  Yumurtalık
  An important harbor-city, Aegea was most populated during the 1st century B.C. The city ruins include Ayas Castle, Süleyman Tower and the Marco Polo Portside
• Misis built by Ceyhan River, on the ancient silk road which was one of the important centers of antiquity. This town became a very important center because of its good roads and very fertile agricultural fields. Today, you can see the Misis Bridge aquaducts and the mosaics exhibited in the museum dating from that time and the same civilization
•   Hieropolis - Kastabala (Adana - Osmaniye 15. km)
  It was a great Roman city, established during the 1st century B.C. Among the rocks are streets, places from the 6th century, a theatre, a castle and graves. Kastabala had a great importance in antiguity because of its Temple of Artemis
• The Last Hitite City: Karatepe - Aslantas (Open-air Museum)
  This border castle was built by Adana's King Asativatas in the 8th century B.C. It contains a sphinx, reliefs and antigues, and has a great international importance because of its hieroglyphs

 and many many more....