Overview
Karaisalı is a village of about 1200 people set in the Taurus mountain passes north of the Cilician Plains. Its main appeal is the monumental engineering of the Berlin to Baghdad railway, constructed between 1903 and 1918.
Architecture · Day Trips · Nature
Before you go
Accommodation
No accommodation in Karaisalı itself. Nearest options are in Belemedik: bungalows from 5000 TL, boutique hotel from 4000 TL, both B&B.
Connectivity
4G available from Türk Telekom. Turkcell and Vodafone signals are poor and patchy. No 5G coverage.
Food
One municipality-run restaurant in Belemedik (08:00-23:00). Otherwise, bring supplies or return to coast cities for variety.
Safety
Use caution on mountain roads. Protect against sun. Stay away from active railway tracks which carry freight.
Transport
You need your own vehicle to explore the area. Roads are narrow and twisty. Karaisalı must be approached from the south via rural roads 33-02 or 01-75.