Uzuncaburc Transfer
Uzuncaburc private transfer to the Temple of Zeus Olbios and ancient Diocaesarea above Silifke, from your hotel, Kızkalesi, Mersin or the airport.
Transfer to Uzuncaburc
A Uzuncaburc transfer usually begins with one question: how do we get up there from Silifke? Uzuncaburç is a village on the plateau north of Silifke, in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, and it is built among the ruins of ancient Diocaesarea. Even its name, meaning tall tower, comes from the ancient tower standing in the middle of it. Here is what you will find, who makes the trip, and how our private transfers connect Uzuncaburc with the rest of the region.
A Temple of Zeus on the Village Street
What makes Uzuncaburc different from other ancient sites is how close everything is to daily life. The ruins are not fenced off in a remote field; they sit beside village houses, gardens and the tea house. The standing columns of the Temple of Zeus Olbios rise next to the old colonnaded street. A little further on are the columns of the Temple of Tyche, a Roman theatre and a monumental city gate. All within walking distance.
The Hellenistic tower that gives the village its name stands on its own among the houses, visible from far away. Photographers wait for the softer afternoon light.
Who Makes the Climb
Nobody ends up in Uzuncaburc by accident. Most visitors are people with an interest in the ancient world who want to add a day of history to a holiday on the Mersin coast.
- Holidaymakers based in Kızkalesi or Silifke who set aside a day for the ruins
- Independent travellers working their way through the ancient cities of Cilicia
- University groups studying archaeology or ancient history
- Families escaping the summer heat of the coast for cooler highland air
A couple or small family will find a Premium Sedan comfortable for the trip. Groups of six travel together in a VIP Vito, and a larger study group fits in a fifteen-seat Mercedes Sprinter.
Pairing the Ruins With the Coast
Uzuncaburc fills half a day on its own, so many visitors combine it with stops lower down. On the Silifke road, Demircili has house-shaped Roman tombs right beside the road. Silifke itself has its castle, the Göksu riverbank and the bazaar. A little further east are the Heaven and Hell sinkholes at Narlıkuyu and the two castles of Kızkalesi.
Book each leg as a point-to-point transfer, planning outbound and return as separate transfers. The Add return option in the booking form keeps the return in the same reservation.
Where We Go From Uzuncaburc
Most of our passengers head back to their hotel, to Kızkalesi or to Silifke after the visit. Travellers with an evening flight go straight down to the airport. You can also book trips to Mersin city centre or to Adana. For the drive from the airport to the plateau, including the climb from the coast and timing tips, see our page on the Çukurova Airport to Uzuncaburc transfer.
We charge per vehicle, not per person. Select Uzuncaburc in the booking form, add your date and compare vehicle classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Uzuncaburc and what is it known for?
Uzuncaburç is a village in the Silifke district of Mersin province, on the plateau north of Silifke. The ruins of ancient Diocaesarea lie within the village. Its best-known monuments are the Temple of Zeus Olbios, the colonnaded street, the Temple of Tyche, a Roman theatre and the Hellenistic tower that gives the village its name. The road up from Silifke passes the Roman tombs of Demircili.
Can we see Uzuncaburc, Kızkalesi and the sinkholes in one day?
Many visitors do. Book a point-to-point transfer for each leg, for example hotel to Uzuncaburc, Uzuncaburc to Narlıkuyu and then back to the hotel, with outbound and return planned as separate transfers. In summer, the ruins are more pleasant in the cool of the morning, and the coastal stops in the afternoon.
Which vehicle suits a university study group?
Groups of up to fifteen travel together in a Mercedes Sprinter. A smaller group of eight is comfortable in a Mercedes Vito. Because the price is per vehicle, travelling together noticeably lowers the cost per person, and the booking form shows the prices of each vehicle class side by side.
Is the road up to the plateau open in winter?
The road from Silifke to Uzuncaburc is a village road used all year round. In winter the plateau is noticeably cooler than the coast, and on rainy days road conditions can change. Check the weather forecast when planning your visit. If your date changes, you can send a change request through the My Reservation page.