Karatepe-Aslantaş & Anazarbus: Late Hittite Cilicia Uncov...

✓ Last reviewed: 29 September 2026 — Verified and updated by İlyas Bayrak, licensed Turkish guide (licence 070867), with the My Turkey Adventure editorial team. Prices, opening hours, transport fares and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Yes, visiting Karatepe-Aslantaş and Anazarbus is absolutely worth it for anyone fascinated by ancient history. These two incredible Adana ancient sites offer a journey into the lost world of the Neo-Hittites and the grandeur of Roman and Armenian Cilicia, far from the usual tourist crowds of Türkiye. Fact Detail Location Karatepe: Osmaniye Province, near Kadirli. Anazarbus: Adana Province, near Kozan. Period / Date Karatepe: Late Hittite (Neo-Hittite), 8th century BC . Anazarbus: Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Armenian ( 2nd century BC - 14th century AD ). What It Is Karatepe: A fortified citadel with unique in-situ reliefs. Anazarbus: The sprawling ruins of a major ancient metropolis and fortress. UNESCO Status Anazarbus (Anavarza) is on the UNESCO Tentative List. Karatepe-Aslantaş is not. Entry A small entry fee is charged for both sites (typically under $10 USD). Confirm locally as hours and fees can change. Typical Visit Length Allow a half-day (2-3 hours) for each site. Nearest Airport Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA) Driving Time from Adana Karatepe: ~2 hours. Anazarbus: ~1.5 hours. Best Months March-May and September-November, to avoid the intense summer heat. What Is the Story Behind Karatepe-Aslantaş and Anazarbus? Welcome to the Çukurova plain, the ancient land of Cilicia! As licensed guides who specialize in the deeper history of our country, we love bringing travellers to this region. It’s a part of off-the-beaten Türkiye that holds stories most visitors miss. Here, you'll find two magnificent but very different sites: Karatepe-Aslantaş and Anazarbus . Karatepe-Aslantaş , meaning Black Hill-Lion Stone , was a remote border fortress built in the 8th century BC . It was the stronghold of King Azatiwat