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11 places to visit in the Akçakoca district of Düzce: Ceneviz Kalesi (Genoese Castle), Merkez Camii (Merkez Mosque) and Atatürk Caddesi (Atatürk Street). Plan your trip to Akçakoca with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Akçakoca is a district of Düzce province in the Western Black Sea Region. It has a 35 km beach along the Black Sea coastline. The district covers 380 km², and its average elevation above sea level is 10 metres.

Tourism

The district began to become a tourist destination especially after 1950. Beyond its sea and beaches, it attracts tourists with its unspoilt natural beauty. The vegetation, made up of beech, chestnut, lime, plane and oak trees, attracts holidaymakers.

History

Finds from excavations in the area are thought to belong to the Thracian tribes who crossed into Anatolia via the Thracian route around 1220 BC. During the Roman period it was known as ‘Dia-Diospolis’, meaning ‘Shining City’, and was recognised as an important port and trade centre. In the Ottoman Beylik period, it was conquered in 1319 by Konur Alp, Orhan Gazi’s tutor (lala) and one of the akıncı beys. In 1934 the area, then a nahiye called Akçaşehir, was renamed and became the district of Akçakoca.

Geography and Economy

Akçakoca is one of the westernmost districts on the Black Sea coast of the Black Sea Region. Hazelnut production plays a major role in the people’s income. The settlement lies roughly midway between Istanbul and Ankara. It becomes particularly busy at weekends.

Culture and Festivals

A festival is held in Akçakoca every year as a tradition. It has gradually begun to rank among the best festival organisations in Türkiye.

History and Culture

Akçakoca was attached to Düzce when Düzce became a province in December 1999. Akçakoca became a district in 1934, taking the name of Akçakoca Bey. The Genoese Castle and its surroundings date from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Akçakoca continued to exist as a city of the Roman Empire under the name Diapolis in AD 395.

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Places to Visit in Akçakoca

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Beach
  • 1 Cultural
  • 1 Other

Historic Sites 2

Historic

Akçakoca Tarihi Evleri (Historic Houses of Akçakoca)

Examples of civil architecture in Akçakoca and its villages.

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Historic

Orhangazi İlköğretim Okulu (Orhangazi Primary School)

A historic school building in Orhangazi Neighbourhood.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Ceneviz Kalesi (Genoese Castle)

A historic castle dating from the Roman period, which attracts visitors with its picnic area and castle beach.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Merkez Camii (Merkez Mosque)

An interesting mosque in the local architectural style. Although it is reminiscent of Far Eastern architecture, it was inspired by the Yörük tent. The interior of the mosque is column-free.

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Religious

Akçakoca Merkez Camii (Akçakoca Central Mosque)

A mosque in the city centre, notable for its unusual appearance.

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Natural Wonders 3

Nature

Aktaş Şelalesi (Aktaş Waterfall)

A waterfall in Aktaş village of Akçakoca.

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Nature

Fakıllı Mağarası (Fakıllı Cave)

A cave in Fakıllı village, south-east of Akçakoca.

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Nature

Kurugöl Kanyonu (Kurugöl Canyon)

A canyon in Kurugöl village, attached to Akçakoca.

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Beaches and Coves 1

Beach

Akçakoca Sahili (Akçakoca Coast)

The coast, which fills with tourists in summer and whose season ends at the end of October.

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Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Çantı Evleri (Çantı Houses)

Traditional examples of architecture of high cultural value.

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Other Places 1

Other

Atatürk Caddesi (Atatürk Street)

A street closed to vehicle traffic on summer evenings, with extremely modern cafés.

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Places to Visit Around Düzce Province

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

  • Konuralp (Prusias ad Hypium) Ancient City — A Bithynian city known as the "Ephesus of the Western Black Sea"; it was developed by Prusias I in the 3rd century BC and enjoyed its most brilliant period in the 1st–3rd centuries AD. Its ancient theatre, walls and arched structures can be seen.
  • Konuralp Museum — The museum, opened in 1994, displays a copy of the 2.65-metre statue of Tyche found in 1931 (the original is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum), a sarcophagus of the 1st century AD, the 45 m² Orpheus floor mosaic found in 1998, and the Achilles–Thetis mosaic.
  • Akçakoca Genoese Castle — A castle on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, 3 km west of Akçakoca; it is thought to have been built between 1204 and 1261 under the Latins or the Empire of Nicaea.
  • Akçakoca Beach — A 35-km beach stretching along the Black Sea coast; since the 1950s it has been a beloved summer resort town thanks to its proximity to Ankara and Istanbul.
  • Güzeldere Waterfall Nature Park — A waterfall in the village of Güzeldere in Gölyaka, where the Bıçkı Stream drops from 120 metres; the 22.76-hectare area surrounded by beech forest was declared a nature park in 2011. It is 28 km from Düzce.
  • Samandere Waterfall — A waterfall and its giant's kettles 26 km south-east of Düzce; it was registered as a natural monument in 1988. There are picnic and walking areas.

Practical Information for Visiting Akçakoca

Suggested time
1-2 days
Best time to visit
Summer months (June–September)
Places to visit
11 places

What to Eat in Akçakoca

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  • Akçakoca Mancarlı Pidesi

    Akçakoca Mancarlı Pidesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 29 December 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 321). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Akçakoca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

  • Akçakoca Melengücceği Tatlısı

    Akçakoca Melengücceği Tatlısı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 18 December 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 279). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Akçakoca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Akçakoca

  • Çok Kültürlü Göç Mirası (Multicultural Migration Heritage)

    After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, Laz, Georgian and Abkhaz communities who migrated from the Caucasus settled in Akçakoca. This multicultural character is reflected in every area, from the district's cuisine to its architecture.

  • Akçakoca Bey Geleneği (Akçakoca Bey Tradition)

    The district takes its name from Akçakoca Bey, a Turkish commander who brought the region under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. A statue erected in his honour in the city centre is a symbol of the district's historical identity.

Local Products

  • Akçakoca Ekşilisi — Akçakoca Ekşilisi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 1 September 2025 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1767). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Düzce Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Akçakoca Kaplandede Kestanesi — Akçakoca Kaplandede Kestanesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 25 August 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1201). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Akçakoca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Akçakoca Sarı Fındığı — Akçakoca Sarı Fındığı was registered as a protected designation of origin (menşe adı) on 27 February 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 419). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Akçakoca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Economy

Akçakoca's economy is based on hazelnut farming, tourism and fishing. The district is one of the region's most important hazelnut production centres, and coastal tourism is an important source of income in the summer months. The summer population increases significantly with summer-house owners and tourists.

How to Get to Akçakoca

Akçakoca is about 200 km from Istanbul. It can be reached from Düzce city centre in 40 minutes via the D-655 highway. The nearest airport is reached via Düzce, with a connection to Bolu-Yeniçağa. It can be easily reached by road from Istanbul and Ankara.

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Akçakoca: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Akçakoca?

The top 11 places in Akçakoca: Ceneviz Castle, Merkez Mosque, Atatürk Caddesi, Çantı Evleri, Aktaş Waterfall, Fakıllı Cave, Kurugöl Canyon, Akçakoca Merkez Mosque, Akçakoca Tarihi Evleri, Akçakoca Coast and Orhangazi İlköğretim Okulu.

What should I eat in Akçakoca?

Akçakoca Mancarlı Pidesi and Akçakoca Melengücceği Tatlısı are the standout dishes on Akçakoca's tables.

What is Akçakoca famous for?

Akçakoca is known for Akçakoca Ekşilisi and Multicultural Migration Heritage. It is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Akçakoca?

Akçakoca is about 200 km from Istanbul. It can be reached from Düzce city centre in 40 minutes via the D-655 highway. The nearest airport is reached via Düzce, with a connection to Bolu-Yeniçağa. It can be easily reached by road from Istanbul and Ankara.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to Akçakoca?

Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: summer months (June–September).

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