Skip to content

TurkeyTurkeyVisited Oct 2022 · 1 week

Adana

A destination you can safely keep towards the bottom of your must-visit list.

Great valueWould avoid
Average6.5
Accommodation7.9
Coworking5.4
Value7.2
Excitement5.7
Living costs, excl. rent~$709
Mild and dry
JFMAMJJASONDMild and dry: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
Nomad visaAvailable
Population1.7 Million
Fly into

ADA

This guide was written 4 years ago

Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.

An ancient gateway to Anatolia's heartland for millennia.

From the majestic stone bridges built by the Romans to the bustling bazaars of its Ottoman-era quarters, Adana's landmarks bear witness to its enduring role as a cultural and economic crossroads.

Give it a miss

Unless already in close proximity, no compelling reason to visit. Fine for an overnight stop and half a day's exploring.

At a glance

Accommodation

Good · #21 of 62

7.9/10

Airbnb experiences in Turkey, Adana included, can be inconsistent. On this occasion when I arrived, the apartment I had booked turned out to no longer exist.

Opting for hotels proves to be a reliable alternative, offering good value for short stays. The likely inclusion of a Turkish breakfast with your room makes it an even more compelling option.

New legislation introduced by the Turkish government has made short-term rentals for under 100 days more restricted. Keep an eye on Reddit threads for up-to-date assessments of how the new legislation is impacting short-term rentals in practice.

How it compares

Coworking

Ok · #57 of 62

5.4/10

There are limited options for dedicated coworking locations in the city but there are numerous high quality coffee shops to work from that are open late into the night.

How it comparesWhere to work

Value

Good · #49 of 62

7.2/10

As a less touristy destination than many others in the south of the country, eating out and general day to day expenses are particularly good value.

How it comparesCosts breakdown

Excitement

Ok · #45 of 62

5.7/10

As an industrial and agricultural center, Adana is surprisingly busy, but it’s far from being an engaging destination. While, like anywhere in Turkey, there are excellent food options, there isn't much else to explore beyond the region's well-known cuisine.

How it compares

Plan

Summary

Having enjoyed all my previous trips to Turkey, in the Autumn of 2022 I wanted to visit as many places on the southern coast, doing a week stint in each place. Adana was the next natural stop on from Antalya.

Cost of living

$709a month, before rent

Basic living costs, rent not included

Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.

Very Affordable
  • Meal in a casual restaurant$7.00
  • Speciality coffee$2.00
  • Pint of local beer$2.50
  • Cocktail$6.00
  • Taxi for 2 miles$3.50
  • Men's haircut$8.00
  • Women's haircut$20
  • Gym membership, monthly$37
  • Coworking, monthly$53

Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: low (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, regus.com. Always check locally before planning around them.

Duration & season

Like the rest of the southern coast of Turkey, it can be uncomfortably hot in summer. With no immediate access to the beaches or coastline, you'd be best off visiting outside of peak summer. Even in October, A/C was much needed.

By month

Typical temperatures and rainfall by month
MonthLow °CHigh °CRain mmNotes
January81776
February71667
March82452peak season
April122946peak season
May1630135wet month · peak season
June22383
July263810
August26393
September213636
October153127peak season
November1228100wet month · peak season
December917145wet month
Wettest months Peak season

Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.

Visitors a year
160k2024
Crowds
Low
Peak season
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
Low season
Jul–Aug

Remote work visa

Digital nomad visa available

Turkey has launched a digital nomad visa programme for remote workers. If you're between 21 and 55 and hold citizenship from one of 36 countries across Europe and North America (including the US), you're eligible to apply.

The visa allows you to live and work remotely in Turkey for a set period, with benefits including affordable living costs, healthcare access, and the opportunity to experience Turkey's culture and scenery.

The requirements are standard for these types of visas. You'll need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, health insurance, proof of income, and documentation showing you're employed or self-employed.

The application process is handled online through Turkey's official platform. Once they've reviewed your documents and approved your application, you'll receive a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. Take that certificate along with your supporting documents to a Turkish visa centre or consulate to complete the process.

Turkey is positioning itself to attract the growing digital nomad market. For remote workers considering their next base, Turkey offers lower living costs compared to most Western European destinations.

Read more about the visa

Working hours

Turkey adheres to GMT+2 in summer, reverting to GMT+3 in winter due to the absence of daylight saving time practices.

Live & work

Where to stay

Adana is a large city and In the likely scenario that you'll only be passing through for a few days, you would be best off being as close to the centre as possible.

Kurtuluş

Recommended

By far the best area to be located in town. Plenty of options for food and drink and with close proximity to the train station.

Old Town

Would avoid

There were no benefits to staying in the old town part of the city. Would avoid.

Where to work

There are limited options for dedicated coworking locations in the city but there are numerous high quality coffee shops to work from that are open late into the night.

Dreamwork Offices coworking space

Dreamwork Offices

Top locationOutdoor spaceOn-site café

Situated opposite the train station, Dreamwork Offices provided a great base to work from. Desk space was plentiful, internet was reliable and it features an outdoor terrace for food and coffee.

Day passes were incredibly good value coming it around €5, with a number of places for lunch available within a 2 minute walk. I don't know why I would ever end up back in Adana, but should that happen I would definitely return.

Kurtuluş, Adanaspor Apt No:95/A, 01120 Seyhan/Adana

DirectionsWebsite

Food & drink

Coffee

Storie Store

Relaxed coffee shop with a hipster aesthetic. Good quality coffee and comfortable interior.

Daily Dose

Top rated

Relaxed out door seating, good quality speciality coffee and super friendly service.

Food

Doga Kebap

No-frills family run eatery doing authentic Adana Kebaps.

Off the clock

Off work

Eat an Adana Kebab

Eat an Adana Kebab

As you would expect, Adana is the home of the Adana Kebab which you are likely to see across Turkey. It's created from heavily seasoned minced lamb and cooked over a charcoal grill. Did it taste radically different from what I sampled in other cities? No. But regardless, it's a tasty dish and a good box to tick whilst you are there.

Visit Seyhan Dam Lake

Visit Seyhan Dam Lake

Large dam created in the north of the city, with shaded areas to escape the sun and dedicated areas to BBQ meats.

Sample 'Şalgam'

Sample 'Şalgam'

Şalgam is a traditional Turkish beverage crafted from fermented purple carrots and bulgur, originating from this region. It has a distinct tangy and spicy flavor, with a deep, rich purple hue. The first few times I sampled it, I honestly hated it. But after this visit I have become hooked.

Visit the Sabanci Central Mosquea

Visit the Sabanci Central Mosquea

The second largest mosque in Turkey dominates the landscape of the central part of the city. Inspired by Ottoman and Seljuk architecture, it features six minarets, making it one of the few mosques worldwide with this unique feature. The surrounding park is also ideal for morning runs before the heat rises

Exercise

Run

Mosque Run

Convenient park next to the city centre which makes it an ideal place for a morning run. Would avoid running in the city centre due to the volume of traffic.

Walk

City Loop

Some nice views from Seyhan Dam with the surroundings parks ideal for a BBQ. Very little of note on the entire journey, but the walk river is pleasant to follow on the way back in.

People

I don't know true it would necessarily be, but it feels like you could be the only remote worker passing through town so there is little in the way of a remote community present.

Local people were friendly and accommodating, if not a little confused why you happened to be in the city.

Notes

Positives

A busy city with a working feel.

There is little in the way of international tourism in Adana, so it provides something of a seemingly authentic experience.

A great city for kebabs.

As you would expect, if you are a fan of Adana Kebabs there are few better destinations.

Negatives

By no means a remote hub.

I would say there is a moderate to high chance you may be the only person working from there.

Super hot with no access to beaches.

Not ideally where you want to be in 35 degrees.

Tips

Mersin is worth a visit.

A neighbouring city, easily reachable via train.

Ensure you have A/C.

Even in late October there were hot evenings.

The bus to Ankara is pleasant.

Takes around 5 hours and provides great views of the Anatolian countryside.

Eid al-Adha is a major holiday usually around June.

Expect many offices to be closed during this time in a similar manner to Christmas in the UK.

Planning a trip to Adana?

Partners I recommend. Some of these links give you a discount, and I may receive a referral reward.

SafetyWing

Specialised, flexible insurance for prolonged trips away.

  • Buy while abroad
  • Global coverage
  • Simple, online claims process
  • 24/7 human support

For trips exceeding 30 continuous days, seek dedicated travel insurance. Most holiday policies or credit card offerings become invalid after 30 days, despite advertising year-round protection. SafetyWing provides medical and travel coverage specifically designed for remote workers.

Having successfully claimed through their platform with impressive speed, I confidently recommend their service.

Sign up and get $20 off

Learn more

Airarlo

Easy access to data on your phone wherever you are in the world.

Get $2.50 off your first purchase

Learn more

Western Union

A convenient alternative to high ATM fees or carrying around cash.

Register and earn £10

Learn more

Where next

All destinations

Hungary · Jan 2022

Budapest

Europe's best value capital city?

Serbia · May 2021

Belgrade

Unquestionably the Balkans most dynamic city.

Albania · Apr 2023

Tirana

A contender for Europe's most unique and under the radar capital?

Greece · Jul 2022

Athens

Assured summer sun and plenty of Gyros.

Romania · Jun 2022

Bucharest

An abundance of hot summers, great coffee and green parks.

Bulgaria · Mar 2022

Sofia

A fantastic city to visit - only once all the snow has melted.

Suggestions or improvements?

If there's anything you feel that could make these guides more useful, let me know.
Leave a comment

Say hi!

If you've got any questions on any of the destinations or in remote work in general, give me a shout on LinkedIn.
Get in touch

Take every guide with you

The free iOS app has every guide offline, live weather and local time, costs in your currency, and bookmarks for your shortlist.