Kızkalesi Island

On the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, the settlement of Kızkalesi is a beach town popular with local tourists. Just away from the beach, the tiny island from where the town takes its name.

The island of Kızkalesi holds the remains of a Byzantine castle (the name in English means "Castle of the Maiden"), with its well-preserved ramparts and towers still protruding from the rocky shore.

Rising from an island 250m offshore, Kızkalesi Castle (aka Sea Castle) is as romantic as a floating dream. Explore the bird and tree mosaics in the central courtyard, where the remains of two chapels are located side by side, and the vaulted gallery with its 13 domes. Walk along the castle walls and climb one of the four towers (the square in the southeast corner has the best views). To explore the castle - although the interior is dilapidated, and the most impressive feature is the fortified walls themselves - regular boat trips take you to the island and back from the beach.

Since the island is only about 300 meters from the shore, you can swim to the castle and back.

Location: Mersin Province, Turkey