Start of banana country Population: 15,000
Why would you stop in Bozyazı, near Anamur, on the Eastern Mediterranean coast? No reason really, except that it is near the dramatic remains of the hilltop Softa Kalesi (Yılanlı Kalesi) and has a couple of hotels, making it a decent alternative base to Anamur.
The larger hotels – the four-star Hotel Anemurium and the three-star Hotel Mamure right next door – are on the western side of town, but the prettiest part is around where a river empties into the sea by a large (and ugly) new mosque. Here a couple of old wood and stone houses with pretty stone chimneys survive as reminders of the pre-concrete era.
Softa Kalesi (Castle of the Fanatics) sits astride a hill to the east of town and is probably best viewed from a distance when you can appreciate the full extent of its ruined walls and towers. There is a path up to it but it’s steep and only for the most dedicated of castle visitors. There has been a castle on the site since Roman times although it was altered and expanded throughout the Middle Ages.
Sleeping
Diltaş Otel
This sweet little family-run hotel has simple rooms with little more than beds and TVs. It overlooks a small stretch of beach and an offshore island and might make an alternative to Anamur if you want to visit the ruins of Anamurium.
Tel: 0324-851 2051, www.diltasotel.com.
Transport info
Half-hourly dolmuşes run from Anamur to Bozyazı and back again, passing the path up to Softa Kalesi.
Day trip destinations
