Car & Van Hire in Adana

Adana was founded in 6000 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the planet. As such, this Turkish city isn't short on historic landmarks. The Great Mosque is one of Adana's most beloved attractions, dating back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. It was the largest religious centre in the city until the completion of the Adana Sabanci Central Mosque in 1998. This marvel of modern architecture is also worth a visit, with its picturesque surroundings popular with families.

Other must-visit destinations include the Adana Archaeology Museum. Founded more than a century ago, this museum holds one of the largest and most important archaeological collections in all of Turkey. Inside you'll find exhibits dating back to the Bronze Age and Neolithic period.

If you're thinking about car and van hire in Adana, there are many festivals worth checking out. Every April, the city gets into the party spirit as the Orange Blossom Carnival gets going. This festival celebrates the citrus produce synonymous with the region, with locals painting the streets in vibrant orange. The Adana Golden Boll Film Festival is another important event in the city. Held every summer, this festival recognises the best in homegrown cinema.

Food lovers can also look forward to several gastronomic festivals. Every October, the city plays host to the International Taste of Adana Festival. As well as food vendors aplenty, visitors can get involved with workshops or pick up a few culinary tricks from live speakers. In 2022, more than half a million gourmands flocked to this increasingly popular festival.

Booking car hire in Adana for a family getaway? Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Adana has many parks and green spaces. Merkez Park covers more than 333,000 square metres and spans both sides of the Seynan River. The perfect place to escape to if you're looking to unwind, this beautiful oasis has several cycling paths, hiking trails and children's playgrounds.

If you're a fan of outdoor pursuits, Adana hosts several annual sporting events. During the summer months, the Aviation and Paragliding Festival proves particularly popular. Meanwhile, the Yumurtalik Kiteboard Festival is worth checking out if you're looking for something a little different.

Need to shop? The M1 Adana Shopping Centre should fit the bill nicely. This expansive shopping complex sells everything from fashion and apparel to electronics. What's more, you'll find plenty of fast-food vendors for last-minute bites. In the mood for something more traditional? The covered markets of Grand Bazaar are hard to beat.

Thanks to an extensive road network, car hire in Adana makes sense if you want to explore southern Turkey in full. If you're flying into Adana, the D400 provides convenient connections to the city centre. Meanwhile, the D815 offers hassle-free routes to the Turkish Riviera. You can even drive all the way to the capital of Ankara. If you're thinking about a road trip, the E90 is your best bet. However, Turkey's Otoyal network is also something to consider. Although you'll have to pay a toll to use the motorways, routes like the O-21 and 0-51 take the effort out of journeying further afield.

First time visiting Adana? You need to remember that motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road in Turkey. Driving rules are also fairly specific. According to the Turkish Highway Code, you can only overtake when approaching from the left. In certain parts of Turkey, overtaking is forbidden entirely. You can't overtake vehicles in front if you're driving through a tunnel or crossing a bridge. Speed limits are also enforced throughout Adana and Turkey. GPS alert systems are illegal here, so avoid using them on your phone to identify speed cameras.

As Adana is an urban centre, expect traffic congestion. Roads in the city centre are busiest during the morning commuting hours. If possible, avoid starting your journey between 07:00 and 9:00. The city centre and central intersections become busy again between 16:00 and 19:00. During major festivals, Adana can welcome thousands of extra motorists, so anticipate heavy traffic throughout the day.

Although free parking is rare in Adana, there are plenty of paid parking spaces you can use. Unlike other countries, Turkey doesn't use metered parking. Instead, you'll be approached by a parking attendant once you've parked your vehicle, who will then take payment. Parking is typically charged by the hour. If you're only leaving your vehicle for a few minutes, you usually won't have to pay anything.

Strict speed limits are enforced in Adana and the surrounding region. Within Adana, speed limits are capped at 50 k/ph. Outside of built-up areas, speed limits rise to 90 k/ph. When driving on Turkish motorways, speed limits are as high as 120 k/ph.