Amasya

Amasya Province occupies a dramatic position in Turkey's Central Black Sea region, where the Yeşilırmak River carves a deep gorge through the Pontic Mountains. The provincial capital, Amasya, is one of Turkey's most charming and historically rich cities — a place where Ottoman mansions overhang the river, ancient rock tombs are carved into cliff faces, and a medieval castle commands the skyline from a volcanic crag. Despite its compact size, Amasya's layered history spans from the Hittites and the Kingdom of Pontus through the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, each leaving indelible marks on the cityscape.

The province is famous as the birthplace and training ground of several Ottoman sultans, who were sent here as princes to learn the arts of governance. This tradition of royal patronage endowed Amasya with a concentration of mosques, madrasas, and complexes that far exceeds what its modest population would suggest. The Yeşilırmak gorge, flanked by steep mountains and lush riverbank gardens, creates a natural amphitheater that frames the city's skyline in a particularly picturesque manner.

Beyond the capital, Amasya Province offers thermal springs, mountain villages, and the serene Lake Borabay, making it an attractive destination for travelers seeking both cultural depth and natural beauty. The province remains refreshingly uncrowded compared to Turkey's major tourist destinations, allowing visitors to experience authentic Anatolian life alongside genuinely significant historical monuments.

Amasya is most enjoyable from May through June and September through October, when temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C and the river gorge is at its greenest. Spring brings wildflowers to the surrounding mountains and the Yeşilırmak flows full and clear from snowmelt. The city's outdoor cafés along the riverbanks are particularly inviting during these shoulder seasons.

Summer (July-August) brings warm days with temperatures reaching 30°C or higher, though the gorge provides natural cooling. The Amasya Apple Festival (Amasya Elma Festivali), typically held in September or October, celebrates the province's most famous agricultural product with tastings, competitions, and cultural events. The Kalfalar (Craftsmen) Festival in summer showcases traditional artisanal skills.

Winter can be cold and damp, with occasional snowfall that transforms the castle and old town into a picturesque scene. Thermal spas in Gözlek and Terziköy, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the city, offer year-round warmth and are particularly appealing during cold months. Military passing-out ceremonies at the Amasya training base, held on the second Wednesday of each month, occasionally fill the city's hotels — travelers should check dates when booking.

Amasya Merzifon Airport (MZH), 42 kilometers northwest of the city, receives daily flights from Istanbul in approximately 90 minutes, making it the most convenient access point. From the airport, taxis and shuttle services connect to the city center. The railway station in the western part of town is served by the Hattı train three days a week from Sivas and continuing to Samsun, as well as regional services to Samsun that depart early morning.

Bus services from Istanbul run overnight (approximately 11 hours via Gebze and Bolu), while buses from Ankara take about four hours via Çorum, with six daily departures. Amasya Tur is the primary carrier, and dolmuş services supplement intercity connections. The bus terminal sits 10 kilometers northwest of the city center at the bypass junction, and some intercity tickets include a downtown transfer.

Within the city, most major sights are within walking distance along the riverbanks and up to the castle. A taxi ride to the castle entrance saves the steep climb, and the old town lanes are traffic-restricted. For excursions to thermal spas at Gözlek or Lake Borabay (50 kilometers northeast toward Taşova), a rental vehicle is strongly recommended as public transport options are limited.

• Amasya — the provincial capital with its Ottoman old town, rock tombs, castle, and riverside mansions
• Merzifon — a historic town with a well-preserved Ottoman bazaar and military heritage
• Suluova — a district center surrounded by fertile farmland and known for its agricultural markets
• Taşova — a mountainous district with traditional villages and access to Lake Borabay
• Göynücek — a quiet town in the eastern highlands with traditional Anatolian architecture
• Gümüşhacıköy — a district known for its Ottoman-era buildings and proximity to forested highlands
• Hamamözü — a small town with traditional stone houses and a heritage of thermal bath culture

Amasya's culinary identity is inseparable from its most famous product: the Amasya apple. The province produces Turkey's most celebrated apples, and they appear in everything from fresh juices and preserves to savory dishes and desserts. Amasya çorbası, a creamy wheat and meat soup, is the city's signature comfort food, while lokum (Turkish delight) varieties incorporating local apple and walnut are regional specialties.

The city's riverbank restaurants and old town lokantas serve classic Ottoman-influenced dishes: iskender kebab, mantı (Turkish dumplings), and pide baked in stone ovens. The Hatuniye district, along Hazeranlar Sokağı, offers some of the most atmospheric dining settings, with tables overlooking the river and the illuminated rock tombs. Breakfast spreads feature local cheeses, honey, kaymak, and freshly baked bread.

The Amasya Apple Festival in autumn transforms the city's markets into showcases of apple-based products, from dried apple chips to apple wine. The province's walnut and cherry production also contributes to its culinary reputation, with seasonal fruits available from village markets and roadside stands throughout the harvest season.

Amasya has a deep literary and intellectual tradition. The city was home to the geographer Strabo (64 BC–24 AD), born and raised here, whose Geographica became a foundational text of ancient geography. The Ottoman prince-training tradition left a legacy of scholarly culture that persists in the city's libraries and cultural centers. The Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Medical History Museum, housed in a 14th-century medrese, commemorates a medieval surgeon who pioneered surgical techniques here.

The Amasya Apple Festival, held annually in autumn, is the province's signature celebration, combining agricultural exhibition with music, dance, and competitions. The Kalfalar Festival celebrates traditional craftsmanship, with demonstrations of copperwork, woodworking, and textile production. The Mevlid Kandil (Prophet's Birthday) observances in the city's historic mosques draw visitors from across the region.

Local crafts include the production of Amasya's famous lokum (Turkish delight), traditional woodcarving, and the preparation of regionally distinctive textiles. The city's calligraphy museum in the old town preserves the Ottoman tradition of Islamic calligraphy, with examples from the province's historical schools of penmanship.

• Climb the 800 steps to Amasya Castle at sunset for panoramic views over the river gorge, the illuminated rock tombs, and the old town's Ottoman rooftops
• Walk the length of Hazeranlar Sokağı in the Hatuniye old town, admiring the preserved Ottoman mansions and stopping at the Calligraphy Museum
• Visit the Amasya Archaeology Museum to see Hittite artifacts, medieval mummies, and the famous Amasya statuette
• Take the overnight train from Sivas to Amasya, watching the Pontic Mountains unfold from the carriage window as dawn breaks over the valley
• Explore Lake Borabay by boat or hiking trail, a serene mountain lake surrounded by forested slopes in the province's northeast highlands
• Soak in the thermal waters at Gözlek or Terziköy spa hotels, combining wellness with visits to nearby traditional villages