Adana is a major province and city in southern Turkey, set on the fertile Çukurova plain where the Seyhan River flows toward the Mediterranean. As Turkey's fifth-largest city, it pairs ancient Cilician history with a famously fiery food culture, anchored by the six-minaret Sabancı Merkez Camii, the Roman Taşköprü bridge, and the world-renowned spicy Adana kebab. Beyond the city, the province spreads across Roman ruins, Hittite carvings, mountain viaducts, and the reservoir lakes of the Seyhan and Çatalan dams.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Food is central to Adana's identity; treat the spicy Adana kebab, ciğer (liver) skewers, and şalgam with respect and take time over a long charcoal-grill meal rather than rushing
Dress modestly when visiting mosques such as the Sabancı Merkez Camii (cover shoulders, legs, and for women a headscarf); remove shoes before entering
Learn a few Turkish phrases; people in the Çukurova are warm and hospitable and respond well to visitors who greet them properly
Greet shopkeepers and waiters with 'Merhaba' (hello) when entering and 'Güle güle' or 'Hoşça kal' when leaving
Accept tea (çay) when it is offered in a shop or bazaar; refusing repeatedly can seem rude, and the cardamom-free black tea is a gesture of hospitality
Adana is more conservative than coastal resort towns; alcohol is served but is less openly consumed in public, so be discreet outside licensed bars and restaurants
Friday is the main weekly prayer day; mosques are busiest at midday, so plan mosque visits outside prayer times
Bargaining is expected in the old bazaar and with street vendors but not in malls, supermarkets, or restaurants, where prices are fixed
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet with 'Merhaba' (hello) when entering shops, bazaars, and kebab houses
- Dress modestly in mosques, covering shoulders and legs; women should carry a scarf for the head
- Remove your shoes before stepping onto the carpet inside any mosque
- Try genuine Adana specialities such as the spicy Adana kebab, ciğer skewers, şalgam, and bici bici dessert
- Accept a glass of çay (tea) when offered as a sign of hospitality in shops and bazaars
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and elders, in markets and rural areas
- Carry small cash for street-food stalls, dolmuş minibuses, and bazaar purchases
- Use your right hand for giving, receiving, and eating, as the left is traditionally considered unclean
Don't
- Don't enter a mosque in shorts, short skirts, or with bare shoulders, and never during the act of prayer
- Don't be loud or drink alcohol openly in the street, particularly near mosques or in conservative neighbourhoods
- Don't refuse hospitality such as tea outright; decline politely if you must
- Don't point the soles of your feet at people when seated, which is considered impolite
- Don't take photos inside mosques during prayer or of worshippers without consent
- Don't expect every place to serve alcohol; many traditional kebab houses are alcohol-free and pair meals with şalgam or ayran instead
- Don't discuss sensitive political topics or regional security issues with strangers
- Don't show public displays of affection, which are frowned upon in this conservative city
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- A handshake is normal for men meeting men; many women prefer a nod or a hand on the heart rather than a handshake with a man. Close friends and relatives of the same sex exchange a kiss on each cheek. 'Merhaba' (hello) and 'Nasılsınız?' (how are you, formal) are polite openers
- Dining
- Meals are social and unhurried; wait for the eldest or the host to begin. Bread accompanies every meal, and sharing meze and grilled dishes from the centre of the table is normal. Eat with the right hand and praise the food
- Dress
- Smart-casual is fine in city restaurants and bars; modest dress (covered shoulders and legs) is essential in mosques and appreciated in the old bazaar. Beachwear belongs only at the coast
- Gifts
- Sweets such as baklava or karakuş, good-quality çay, or a small souvenir from your home country make appreciated host gifts. Avoid bringing alcohol unless you know the host drinks
- Business
- Relationships and trust come first; expect tea and small talk before business. Punctuality is appreciated by visitors even if locals run late; exchange business cards with the right hand
- Tipping
- Tipping (bahşiş) of 5-10% is customary in restaurants if service is not included, a few lira for the bath attendant (tellak) in a hamam, and rounding up for taxis. Small tips for hotel and bazaar service are appreciated
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Hello
MER-ha-ba
Günaydın
Good morning
goon-eye-DUN
Teşekkür ederim
Thank you
te-shek-KOOR ed-er-im
Lütfen / Rica ederim
Please / You're welcome
LOOT-fen / REE-ja ed-er-im
Evet / Hayır
Yes / No
EH-vet / HA-yuhr
Ne kadar?
How much does it cost?
neh ka-DAR
Hesap, lütfen
The bill, please
he-SAP LOOT-fen
...nerede?
Where is...?
NEH-reh-deh
Affedersiniz / Pardon
Excuse me / Sorry
af-fed-er-SEE-niz / par-DON
İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
Do you speak English?
in-gee-LEEZ-jeh bee-lee-YOR moo-soo-nooz
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Adana.
Main: Islam (predominantly Sunni Muslim), reflecting the religious life of southern Turkey; there are also Alevi communities and small historic Christian and Jewish presences in the wider Cilician region
Sites: Sabancı Merkez Camii (one of the largest mosques in Turkey, on the Seyhan River), the historic Ulu Camii complex, the Yağ Camii near the old bazaar, and the Bebekli Kilise (Saint Paul Catholic church) in the city centre
Holy Days: Friday is the principal day of congregational prayer. The major religious holidays are Ramazan (Ramadan) and the festivals of Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) and Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha), when many businesses close and family visits dominate; dates shift each year with the lunar calendar
Conversations: Religious observance is widely respected; dress and behave modestly near mosques, avoid eating or drinking conspicuously in public during daylight in Ramazan out of courtesy, and steer clear of contentious religious or political debate
Items:
- Religion
- Islam (Sunni)
- Prevalence
- Majority
- Notes
- Mosques are open throughout the city; five daily prayer times observed; modest dress required at all religious sites
- Religion
- Alevi
- Prevalence
- Minority
- Notes
- A distinct Islamic tradition with different practices; cemevi gathering houses rather than mosques
- Religion
- Christianity (Catholic)
- Prevalence
- Very small
- Notes
- Bebekli Kilise (Saint Paul Catholic Church) is an active place of worship in central Seyhan
- Religion
- Other / Non-religious
- Prevalence
- Minority
- Notes
- Turkey is a secular state; non-religious visitors are welcome; alcohol is legally available in licensed venues