TR RU

9 places to visit in the İnebolu district of Kastamonu: İnebolu Historic Houses, İnebolu Castle and İnebolu Seafront. Plan your trip to İnebolu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

Share with friends

İnebolu is a district of Kastamonu Province in the western Black Sea region of Türkiye, and is a port town with a rich heritage of traditional local architecture. The district covers 417 km² and has a population of 19,678. It lies at sea level.

Ancient and Ottoman History

The town came under Roman rule in 64 BC and took the name Ionopolis in the 2nd century AD. After the 1071 Battle of Manzikert, İnebolu was brought under Turkish rule by Emir Karatekin. In 1461, with the incorporation of the Candarids principality into the Ottoman state, İnebolu also came under Ottoman rule.

War of Independence and Heroism

During the Turkish War of Independence, İnebolu harbour played a strategically critical role: those who wished to send war materials to Ankara would arrive at its harbour by boat and cross into Anatolia. In 1924, İnebolu became the first and only district to receive the Medal of Independence, and on Atatürk’s proposal it was given the title “yiğit” (valiant).

History and Culture

9 June, the anniversary of the bombardment, was declared İnebolu Heroes’ Day. In 1924, İnebolu became the first and only district to receive the Medal of Independence. During the War of Independence, İnebolu pier was the entry point into Anatolia for war materials coming from Istanbul and the USSR. İnebolu lost 138 martyrs in the Battle of Gallipoli. Two major fires in 1880 and 1885 completely destroyed the town’s bazaar. İnebolu was the first ancient city founded as an emporion dependent on Sinope in the 3rd century BC. The İnebolu Boat is a type of Pereme boat that entered the literature under this name. The historic houses of İnebolu are under protection within the framework of the INEYAP project of the Ministry of Culture, Kastamonu Governorship and the Ankara Chamber of Architects.

Last updated:

Places to Visit in İnebolu

  • 5 Historic
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Cultural
  • 1 Other

Historic Sites 5

Historic

İnebolu Historic Houses

Wooden Black Sea houses from the 19th century line the historic centre of İnebolu. Bay-windowed and projecting-storey buildings are fine examples of Black Sea architecture.

View on map
Historic

İnebolu Castle

Built in the Byzantine period, the castle stands on a hill overlooking the sea. The Black Sea can be seen from the castle.

View on map
Historic

İstiklal Road

The historic route along which weapons and ammunition were carried from İnebolu harbour to Ankara during the War of Independence. It is one of the symbols of the national struggle.

View on map
Historic

İnebolu Houses

Generally 3-storey buildings with gardens.

View on map
Historic

İnebolu Lighthouse

A 145-year-old lighthouse built on a slope facing the sea; according to one source, it is now abandoned.

View on map

Natural Wonders 1

Nature

İnebolu Seafront

The İnebolu seafront on the Black Sea coast, with its fishing harbour and promenade, is a place to relax.

View on map

Attractions 1

Attraction

İnebolu Harbour

Located in the centre of town, known for its colourful wooden boats and historic buildings.

View on map

Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

İnebolu Public Market

A market held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, where local and organic products are sold.

View on map

Other Places 1

Other

Şirin tea gardens

According to one source, tea gardens where local flavours can be tasted.

View on map

Places to Visit Around Kastamonu Province

See all →

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

  • Kastamonu Castle — Standing on a rock about 860 metres high south-west of the city centre, the castle is believed to have been built in the 10th century by the Byzantine Komnenos family and was repaired in the Candaroğulları period.
  • Kasabaköy Mahmut Bey Mosque — Built in 1366 in the Candaroğulları period in the village of Kasaba, 18 km from Kastamonu, the mosque is known as the "Nail-less Mosque" because no metal nails were used in its wooden roof.
  • Nasrullah Mosque — Built in 1506 by Kadı Nasrullah in the reign of Bayezid II, with its square, ablution fountain and bridge it has the character of a complex; it is the largest mosque in the city from the Ottoman period and its symbol.
  • Kastamonu Archaeology Museum — In the former Committee of Union and Progress club building, a work of the architect Mimar Kemaleddin Bey, the museum displays finds from the Hittite to the Ottoman period.
  • Valla Canyon — At Pınarbaşı, the canyon cut through the Küre Mountains by the Devrekani Stream is about 12 km long and 800 metres deep, among the deepest canyons in Türkiye.
  • Küre Mountains National Park — A national park on the Kastamonu–Bartın border protecting the canyons, caves and old-growth forests of the Western Black Sea karst belt; the Horma Canyon walking trail and Ilgarini Cave are the best-known stops.

Practical Information for Visiting İnebolu

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Summer months
Places to visit
9 places

What to Eat in İnebolu

Food guide →

  • İnebolu Pidesi

    İnebolu pide, with thin dough and a minced meat filling, is baked in a stone oven. It holds an important place at local people's tables and is made using traditional recipes.

  • Black Sea Anchovies (hamsi)

    Fresh Black Sea anchovies, served fried in a pan or steamed. Coating them in cornmeal and frying them in a pan is the most common method of cooking.

  • Mısır ekmeği (cornbread)

    According to one source, cornbread is mentioned among İnebolu's local flavours, along with hamsikoli and black cabbage soup.

  • İnebolu chestnuts

    Among the products grown in İnebolu and sold at the public market.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of İnebolu

  • İstiklal Road Heritage

    During the War of Independence, İnebolu was the port city through which weapons and ammunition arriving from Istanbul were transported to Ankara. Şerife Bacı and other women heroes played an important role in this transport.

Local Products

  • İnebolu Kuzu Kestane — İnebolu Kuzu Kestane was registered as a geographical indication on 19 July 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1414). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: İnebolu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • İnebolu Hemp — In the past İnebolu was known for hemp production. Hemp fibres were used to make rope and sacks.

Economy

İnebolu's economy is based on fishing, forestry and trade. As a port city, sea trade was once an important source of income.

How to Get to İnebolu

İnebolu is 95 km from Kastamonu. Bus services run from Kastamonu. It lies on the Black Sea coast.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Kastamonu

İnebolu: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in İnebolu?

The highlights of İnebolu are 9 places: İnebolu Historic Houses, İnebolu Castle, İnebolu Seafront, İstiklal Road, İnebolu Public Market, İnebolu Harbour, İnebolu Houses, İnebolu Lighthouse and Şirin tea gardens.

What is there to eat in İnebolu?

İnebolu Pidesi, Black Sea anchovies, cornbread and İnebolu chestnuts are the flavours to look out for on İnebolu's tables.

What is İnebolu famous for?

İnebolu is known for İnebolu Kuzu Kestane and the heritage of İstiklal Road. It is a geographical indication registered on TÜRKPATENT.

How do I get to İnebolu?

İnebolu is 95 km from Kastamonu. Bus services run from Kastamonu. It lies on the Black Sea coast.

How much time should I allow for a trip to İnebolu?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: summer months.

Continue Your Trip

Other Districts of Kastamonu

Search 81 province guides and 968 district guides.