Things to Do in Kurucaşile: 11 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kurucaşile

• 1 Historic
• 1 Religious
• 3 Nature
• 5 Beach
• 1 Attraction

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

• Amasra Castle — Built in the Roman period and repaired in the Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman periods, the castle consists of two parts, Sormagir and the Zindan (dungeon) castle, and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. Its outer walls and gates were built by the Genoese in the 14th–15th centuries.
• 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.
• Amasra Museum — Opened in its present building in 1982, the museum displays works from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman periods; its most famous piece is the armoured torso of the Roman emperor Hadrian.
• Kuşkayası Road Monument — A Roman monument carved into the rock beside the old road, 4 km from Amasra; it was commissioned in the 1st century AD by Gaius Julius Aquila, governor of Bithynia and Pontus, in honour of the emperor Claudius.
• 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.

Practical Information for Visiting Kurucaşile

Suggested time

1-2 days

Best time to visit

June–September

Places to visit

11 places

• 🐟

  Hamsi Tava (fried anchovies)

  Hamsi, the Black Sea's best-loved fish, is coated in cornmeal and fried. It is the core flavour of Kurucaşile's fishing tradition.

• 🌽

  Mısır Ekmeği (cornbread)

  A traditional Black Sea bread made from cornmeal, served with fish dishes. Baked in an oven or on a sac (griddle), it is an essential part of the local cuisine.

• 🥬

  Karalahana Çorbası (kale soup)

  Made with kale, cornmeal and butter, this soup is one of the most characteristic flavours of Black Sea cuisine.

• 🍽️

  Kurucaşile Taş Sacı (stone griddle)

  A stone griddle made by traditional methods, with a registered protected designation of origin; börek and gözleme are cooked on it.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kurucaşile

• ⛵

  Wooden Boat-Building Tradition

  Wooden boat-making in Kurucaşile has been a tradition for centuries. Passed down through the master–apprentice relationship, this craft has been put forward for inclusion on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A boat festival is held every year to celebrate the tradition.

• 🎣

  Black Sea Fishing Culture

  Fishing and seafaring have shaped the way of life of the district's people in Kurucaşile. Fishermen's coffee houses and harbour culture are an inseparable part of daily life.

Local Products

• Kurucaşile Taş Sac — Kurucaşile Taş Sac was registered as a protected designation of origin on 10 March 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 690). Product group: other products. Registered by: Bartın Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Wooden Boat — Kurucaşile's world-renowned wooden boat-building tradition is the district's most valuable cultural and economic product. Guletler and fishing boats built by hand are sold at home and abroad.
• Pine Honey — Pine honey from beekeeping in the district's forested areas is known for its dark colour and intense aroma.

Economy

Kurucaşile's economy rests on wooden boat-building, fishing and forestry. Wooden boats built in traditional shipyards are the district's most important source of income. Coastal fishing on the Black Sea is a traditional livelihood. Forestry and beekeeping also contribute to the economy.

How to Get to Kurucaşile

Kurucaşile is 60 km from Bartın city centre. Transport is by road. There are regular minibus services from Bartın. It is also possible to reach Cide (Kastamonu) via the coastal road. The nearest airport is Zonguldak Airport (130 km).

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Bartın

Kurucaşile: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kurucaşile Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Bartın The province's 12 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Bartın

• Bartın Central District 7 places Bartın River, İnkumu Beach and Bartın Houses
• Amasra 8 places Amasra Castle, Kuşkayası Road Monument and Amastris Ancient City
• Ulus 5 places Ulukaya Waterfall, Ulus Castle and Ulus Forests