Amasra

Amasra is a picture-perfect coastal town on the Black Sea in Bartın Province, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful towns on the Turkish Black Sea coast. It occupies a narrow peninsula jutting into the sea, with a historic Byzantine castle, two sheltered harbours, and pastel-coloured houses cascading down wooded slopes. The town was the ancient Amastris, a Greek colony founded in the 4th century BCE, and its strategic location was valued by the Genoese and later the Ottomans.

Today Amasra is a popular domestic tourist destination, especially in summer, when its population swells with holidaymakers from Ankara and Istanbul. The main attractions are the castle, the pretty harbour with seafood restaurants, the long sandy Çakraz Beach to the west, and the town's relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. Despite the summer crowds, Amasra retains genuine charm, and its setting - where a forested island is connected to the mainland by a Roman bridge - is genuinely unique.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Zonguldak Çaycuma Airport (ONQ), 60 km west, with limited flights from Istanbul. A taxi from the airport to Amasra costs about 500-700 TRY.

By Bus

Regular minibuses connect Amasra with Bartın (30 minutes north) and Zonguldak (1.5 hours). From Istanbul, take a bus to Bartın and then a minibus to Amasra. The bus station in Amasra is at the entrance to the town.

By Car

From Ankara, take the D-750 to Gerede, then the D-755 via Ulus to Bartın, and finally the coastal road to Amasra - about 3.5 hours. From Istanbul, the journey via the E-80 and D-010 is about 5 hours.

Amasra is small enough to explore entirely on foot. The castle, the harbours, and the town centre are all within a 20-minute walk. The island (Büyükada) is connected to the mainland by a short causeway and can be walked in 15 minutes.

• Amasra Castle — a Byzantine and Genoese fortress occupying the hilltop at the centre of the peninsula, with towers, walls, a small museum, and panoramic views over both harbours. Free to visit

• Büyükada (Big Island) — the rocky island connected to the mainland by a Roman-era causeway, with a walking path around its perimeter and views back across the town. The small strip of sand at its landward end is the town beach

• Amasra Museum — a small archaeological museum in a restored 19th-century building, with finds from the ancient city of Amastris including Roman statues, glass, and coins

• Küçük Liman (Small Harbour) — the eastern harbour, lined with fish restaurants and tea gardens, with fishing boats bobbing alongside tourist gulets

• Büyük Liman (Large Harbour) — the western harbour, with a longer promenade and views of the island

• Roman Bridge — the short causeway connecting the island to the mainland, of Roman origin with medieval additions

• Walk the castle walls — the circuit around the castle ramparts offers the best photo opportunities; the sunset view from the western bastion is spectacular

• Swim at Çakraz Beach — a 5 km sandy beach west of town, cleaner and less crowded than the town beach, with a few basic cafés

• Eat fish at the harbour — the Küçük Liman restaurants serve freshly caught Black Sea fish at waterfront tables

• Take a boat trip — gulets and small boats offer short trips along the coast, including views of the Amasra peninsula from the sea

• Visit the Sunday market — held on the outskirts of town, with local produce, honey, and handicrafts

The harbourfront restaurants are the main dining destination, specialising in grilled fish: hamsi (anchovy) in winter, palamut (bonito), levrek (sea bass), and occasionally kalkan (turbot). Balık ekmek (fish sandwich) stalls near the harbour sell the freshest possible fast food. Amasra's speciality dessert is cevizli helva (walnut halva), available at sweet shops near the museum.

Tea gardens line both harbours, and the view across the castle-lit island at dusk is one of the most romantic settings on the Black Sea. A few bars near the large harbour serve beer and rakı to a young crowd in summer.

• Budget: Amasra Pansiyon, family-run guesthouses in the back streets, from 600 TRY
• Mid-range: Amasra Otel, a seafront hotel on the small harbour, from 1,200 TRY
• Upscale: Amasra Marina Hotel, on the waterfront with balconies overlooking the island, from 1,800 TRY

Amasra is known for its hand-painted wooden trays and boxes, available at shops near the castle entrance. Local honey, homemade jams, and textiles are also good buys.

• Bartın — 15 km north, the provincial capital with the riverfront promenade
• Kurucaşile — 30 km west along the coast, a small fishing town with a Genoese castle and peaceful beaches
• Safranbolu — 100 km east via Karabük, the UNESCO Ottoman town
• Zonguldak — 70 km west, with the Mining Museum and Gökgöl Caves