Yumurtalık

Yumurtalık is a beach resort on the Cilician Plains of Turkey. It's 40 km southeast of Adana, and about the most easterly resort on the Mediterranean coast, before that coast turns a corner and trends south all the way to Egypt. In 2022 it had a resident population of 17,600, which more than doubles in summer. == Understand == The ancients called this place Aegeae (Αἰγέαι), and it was a small port with not much of a harbour. But crucially it had easy inland access over the Cilician Plains, when so many places along the Turkish coast were hemmed in by mountains. Its heyday was in the 13th century under Armenian rule, and in 1271 Marco Polo landed here to strike east overland to China. Yumurtalık grew into a beach resort in the late 20th century, becoming encrusted by the holiday homes of Adana city dwellers. Inland is agricultural but what this area makes its money from is oil and gas, with international pipelines converging on Ceyhan. The industrial facilities are visible to the northeast of town but far enough away not to intrude. == Get in == For long-distance transport head to Adana or Ceyhan then change for a dolmuş or local bus. By road leave O-53 at Ceyhan and head south on D-817. == Get around == The town is small enough to walk around. You need wheels to reach the lagoon. == See == 1 Sea Castle is a fortified islet 400 m off the coast. It was built circa 1262 AD, probably as a secure warehouse for goods rather than a military outpost. 2 Land Castle (Ayas Kalesi) survives only as a small turret by the marina and a length of wall that enclosed the old town. Lighthouse on the pier beyond the Land Castle is just a small harbour light. 3 Suleyman's watchtower is a stubby turret 1 km west of town. It was built around 1550. 4 Yumurtalık Lagoon is a wetland nature reserve 10 km west of town, with brackish lakes, sand dunes and woodland. Turtles nest here. By road approach from the southwest along a dirt track. == Do == Beaches are sandy. The more sheltered and convenient is east-facing off Atatürk Cd. A longer out-of-town strip starts 2 km west beyond Suleyman's watchtower. == Buy == Migros supermarket is north edge of town on Hakim Sefa Mutlu Sk, open daily 09:00-22:00. == Eat == The main concentration of eating places is along Atatürk Cd the east-facing beach strip. == Drink == Some eating places may serve alcohol. == Sleep == 1 Kumsal Butik Otel, Turgut Reis Sk 2, ☏ +90 322 671 3535. Clean, friendly and efficient. (updated Apr 2025) Grand BTC Beach Hotel on Atatürk Cd was one of the first hotels to pop up on this strip, and looks it. Öztur Otel, Atatürk Cd (block north of Land Castle), ☏ +90 322 671 2167. Reasonably clean and comfy. B&B double 2500 TL. (updated Apr 2025) Üç Kardeşler Pansiyon is simple accommodation 100 m west of Land Castle at Kanuni Süleyman Sk. 3/1. Mavi Otel, Sahil Yolu Sk (200 m west of Land Castle), ☏ +90 322 671 2828. Smart friendly place. (updated Apr 2025) Campsites are strung along the beach 3 km west of town. Grubby and no facilities. == Connect == As of April 2025, Yumurtalık and its approach roads have 4G from Turkcell and Vodafone, but only a poor basic signal from Türk Telekom. 5G has not yet rolled out in Turkey. == Go next == Karataş is the next beach resort west, though you have to loop inland via D-400 to reach it. It lacks antiquities but has a much bigger marina. Ceyhan the nearest town inland processes oil and gas, and is only of interest if you work in those industries. Adana the regional capital has a small old town, a strategic NATO air base, and a stonking great modern mosque in retro-Ottoman style.