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8 places to visit in the Amasra district of Bartın: Amasra Castle, Kuşkayası Road Monument and Amastris Ancient City. Plan your trip to Amasra with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Stretching out into the sea, a headland and two coves make Amasra a distinctive tourist destination with its sheltered harbours.

History

Amastris, from whom the town takes its name, was a Persian princess and niece of Darius III, the last ruler of the Persian Empire. In the 13th century Amasra was taken by the Genoese, and in October 1460 an Ottoman army led by Fatih Sultan Mehmet launched a campaign against it. In 1987 it gained district status as part of Zonguldak province’s Bartın district, and in 1991, when Bartın province was established, it became a district of Bartın province.

Museums and Cultural Heritage

Amasra Museum opened in 1955 in the municipal building and was moved to a larger building in 1982. The statue of the snake god Glykon, a deliberate fraud created by a local entrepreneur in the Roman imperial period, is of particular interest.

History and Culture

Amasra, under Genoese rule, was attacked by Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s army in October 1460. The first museum in Amasra opened in 1955 in a small hall in the municipal building. In 1991, when Bartın province was established, Amasra became a district of Bartın. Amasra is a member of the Association of Historical Towns and Regions of Europe for its architectural heritage. The Amasra Museum building was begun in 1884 as a maritime school and opened as a museum in 1982.

Key Facts

Amasra is an ancient city founded under the name Sesamos in 12 BC. Most of the population makes its living from the Coal Mining Enterprise, tourism, farming and fishing.

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Places to Visit in Amasra

  • 5 Historic
  • 1 Nature
  • 2 Attraction

Historic Sites 5

Historic

Amasra Castle

Built in the Roman period, with walls added by the Byzantines; it stands on a narrow peninsula.

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Historic

Kuşkayası Road Monument

An ancient road monument built between AD 41 and 54 on the orders of Gaius Julius Aquila, governor of Bithynia and Pontus.

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Historic

Amastris Ancient City

The ancient city founded in the 4th century BC by Queen Amastris, grand-daughter of the Persian King Darius III. Excavations in 2025 brought to light the remains of a 2,000-year-old Roman-period stoa (colonnaded gallery). The forum, council hall, theatre and acropolis remains are preserved underground.

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Historic

Kemere Bridge (Fatih Bridge)

The stone bridge built in the Byzantine period in the 9th century, linking Boztepe to the mainland, is one of the symbols of Amasra. It was restored in the Ottoman period by Fatih Sultan Mehmed.

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Historic

Bartın Bedesten

A large building to the south of Amasra district centre.

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Natural Wonders 1

Nature

Boztepe

The Boztepe peninsula, which separates the two harbours of Amasra, is an ideal walking route with its pine forests and sea views. The open-sea panorama of the Black Sea can be seen from the summit.

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Attractions 2

Attraction

Amasra Museum

The museum displays archaeological and ethnographic finds from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods, and includes sculptures, coins and ceramics excavated from the ancient city of Amastris.

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Attraction

Amasra Lighthouse

Counted among the most visited places in Amasra, this lighthouse.

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Places to Visit Around Bartın Province

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While you are in Amasra, you can also see the highlights of Bartın province. These places are in other districts.

  • Kemere Bridge — A single-arched stone bridge that joins the two parts of Amasra Castle, on the peninsula and on Boztepe Island; built in the Roman period and repaired by the Byzantines in the 8th–9th centuries, it is 26.7 metres long and was restored in 2014.
  • Amasra Fatih Mosque — Originally a Byzantine church built in the 9th century, the building was converted into a mosque after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror took Amasra in 1460, and is still open for worship today.
  • Güzelcehisar Basalt Columns — On the Bartın coast, pentagonal basalt columns up to 50 metres high, stretching for 5 km, formed about 80 million years ago (Late Cretaceous) when a lava flow cooled slowly; declared a natural monument in 2017. There is an 800-metre wooden walkway.
  • İnkumu Beach — A 2.3-km beach about 10 km from Bartın centre; it is a habitat of the endangered sea daffodil.
  • Bartın River — The river that gives the city its name, called Parthenios in antiquity; because ships can navigate it from the sea right up to the city, it is an exceptional river in Türkiye.
  • Historic Bartın Houses — In Bartın centre, traditional timber-framed Ottoman-period mansions with bay windows; they are the most distinctive part of the city's historic fabric.

Practical Information for Visiting Amasra

Suggested time
2–3 days
Best time to visit
May–October
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Amasra

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  • Amasra Salad

    Amasra salad, prepared with walnuts, pomegranate molasses, rocket and various greens, is a local meze served alongside fish dishes. Each restaurant has its own recipe.

  • Izgara Mezgit (grilled whiting)

    Whiting caught in the cold waters of the Black Sea, prepared grilled or fried. It is the most popular dish in Amasra's fish restaurants.

  • Bartın Pidesi

    Bartın pide, with its thin dough and generous fillings, is also widely eaten in Amasra in its minced meat and kaşar varieties.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Amasra

  • Ancient Amastris Heritage

    Founded in the 4th century BC, Amastris was one of the most important ancient harbour cities of the Black Sea. The city, a strategic trade centre in the Roman, Byzantine and Genoese periods, has a multi-layered history that forms the basis of Amasra's cultural identity.

  • Fishing Tradition

    Fishing in Amasra is a tradition maintained for generations. With its two natural harbours, Amasra is one of the most important fishing towns on the Black Sea, and fishing culture is an inseparable part of daily life.

Local Products

  • Seafood — Thanks to Amasra's two natural harbours, fresh fish and seafood are the district's most important local products. Whiting, anchovy and horse mackerel are the main species caught.
  • Pine Honey — Pine honey, produced from beekeeping in the pine forests around Amasra, is known for its dark colour and intense aroma.

Economy

The Amasra economy rests on tourism, fishing and mining. With its historic fabric and natural beauty, Amasra is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Black Sea, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Fishing continues to be important as a traditional activity. Hard coal mines run by TTK play a significant part in the district's economy.

How to Get to Amasra

Amasra is 17 km from Bartın city centre. Access is by road. It is 300 km from Ankara and 400 km from Istanbul. The nearest airport is Zonguldak Airport (90 km). There are regular bus services from Bartın and Ankara.

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Amasra: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Amasra?

The top 8 sights in Amasra are: Amasra Castle, Kuşkayası Road Monument, Amastris Ancient City, Boztepe, Amasra Museum, Kemere Bridge (Fatih Bridge), Bartın Bedesten and Amasra Lighthouse.

What is there to eat in Amasra?

Amasra Salad, Izgara Mezgit and Bartın Pidesi are the standout dishes on Amasra's tables.

What is Amasra famous for?

Amasra is known for its seafood and its Ancient Amastris Heritage. Thanks to Amasra's two natural harbours, fresh fish and seafood are the district's most important local products. Whiting, anchovy and horse mackerel are the main species caught.

How do I get to Amasra?

Amasra is 17 km from Bartın city centre. Access is by road. It is 300 km from Ankara and 400 km from Istanbul. The nearest airport is Zonguldak Airport (90 km). There are regular bus services from Bartın and Ankara.

How long should I set aside for a visit to Amasra?

Suggested visit length: 2–3 days. Best time to visit: May–October.

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