Ferry port for Northern Cyprus Population: 15,200
Old names: Holmi, Sancto Theodoro
Taşucu is a small port on the Eastern Mediterranean coast just west of Silifke. It is the main departure point for ferries and hydrofoils to Girne (Nicosia) on Northern Cyprus. These days with cheap flights to the island the ferries are mainly used for transporting Turkish soldiers on their military service which means long queues and a complete lack of frills. Bad weather can also delay or prevent crossings so you should plan accordingly.
In the 2010s an effort was made to cheer the place up, with a new waterside promenade now lined with excursion boats that take people out to local islands during the day, then do moonlight cruises in the hours just before the ferries set sail. What was the abandoned tower of a flour mill has been turned into a landmark clocktower. In the park nearby a few reminders of what must have been a Roman settlement on the site are dotted about. 
If you arrive early and are desperate for something to do the small Arslan Eyce Amphora Museum contains 400 amphorae. some of them dating back as far as 3,200 BC. It’s in a 19th-century building facing the waterside square.
Sleeping
Because of the ferries there are plenty of hotels in Taşucu, most of them small, cheap and pretty basic. Sadly, the once popular Lades Motel, shaped like a giant liner, has been converted into student accommodation and should not be confused with the small hotel that now uses the same name.
A few smarter new hotels have opened too. They are a great improvement on anything on offer in Silifke.
Best Resort Hotel. Tel: 0324-741 6300
Transport info
There are frequent dolmuşes from Silifke to Taşucu, while buses plying the coast road will drop you off to walk down into town. Heading onwards, you can arrange for a bus starting in Silifke to pick you up at the main road junction near the Belediye.
The ferries and hydrofoils are operated by Akgünler (Tel: 0324-741 2303, www.akgunler.com.tr) which has ticket offices facing the harbour. It used to offer twice-weekly sallings to Tripoli in Lebanon but, alas, no more.
