Getting to Know Samsun
Samsun lies on the central Black Sea coast, between the Bafra and Çarşamba plains, which were formed by the alluvium carried by the Kızılırmak and the Yeşilırmak. Traces of settlement found in the Tekkeköy caves, going back to about 60,000 BC, are the oldest settlement identified to date in the Black Sea region. In antiquity the city was called Amisos; one of the important ports of the Kingdom of Pontus, its burial tumuli can be visited today on Amisos Hill.
Samsun’s place in Turkish history rests on 19 May 1919: Mustafa Kemal came from Istanbul to Samsun on the Bandırma Steamship as Inspector of the Ninth Army and took the first step of the War of Independence. The Monument of Honour, opened in 1932 in memory of this event, is the symbol of the city. The Mantika Palas Hotel, where Atatürk spent his first nights, is now the Gazi Museum. Havza, a district in the south of the province, was also one of the first stops of this process.
Today Samsun is one of the most populous cities on the Black Sea, and has developed through agriculture (rice from the Çarşamba and Bafra plains, hazelnuts, tobacco), port trade and industry. Terme, one of the eastern districts, is Themiscyra, which Greek sources describe as the homeland of the Amazons.
When to Go
Samsun has a Black Sea climate: summers are warm and humid, and winters are mild and rainy. Averages for 1929–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service:
| Month |
Avg. high |
Avg. low |
Rainfall |
Rainy days |
| January |
10.8 °C |
4.2 °C |
72 mm |
14 |
| February |
11.1 °C |
4.0 °C |
59 mm |
14 |
| March |
12.1 °C |
4.7 °C |
67 mm |
15 |
| April |
15.3 °C |
7.9 °C |
57 mm |
14 |
| May |
19.2 °C |
12.1 °C |
49 mm |
13 |
| June |
23.7 °C |
16.3 °C |
47 mm |
9 |
| July |
26.6 °C |
19.2 °C |
35 mm |
6 |
| August |
27.2 °C |
19.8 °C |
37 mm |
6 |
| September |
24.1 °C |
16.6 °C |
56 mm |
10 |
| October |
20.4 °C |
13.0 °C |
80 mm |
12 |
| November |
16.9 °C |
9.4 °C |
83 mm |
12 |
| December |
13.2 °C |
6.4 °C |
81 mm |
13 |
The best period is May–September. Large ceremonies are held in the city on 19 May. For birdwatching in the Kızılırmak Delta, the spring and autumn migration periods are the most rewarding.
How to Get to Samsun
By air: Samsun-Çarşamba Airport is in the Çarşamba district and is connected to the city centre by buses and shuttles.
By road: Samsun lies at the junction of the Black Sea coastal road and the Amasya–Çorum road that descends to Central Anatolia. The bus station is close to the city centre.
By sea: Samsun Port is one of the important commercial ports of the Black Sea.
Samsun Area by Area
- İlkadım and Atakum: The Monument of Honour, the Gazi Museum, the Bandırma Steamship Museum, the Samsun Museum, Amisos Hill and the seafront.
- Bafra, Ondokuzmayıs and Alaçam: The Kızılırmak Delta and its birdwatching areas, Bafra pidesi.
- Çarşamba, Terme and Tekkeköy: The Çarşamba plain, the Amazon legends of Terme, the Tekkeköy caves.
- Vezirköprü: Şahinkaya Canyon, the area around the Altınkaya Dam, the Vezirköprü samovar.
- Havza and Ladik: The Havza hot springs and Havza, Atatürk’s first stop, and Ladik Lake.
- Kavak, Asarcık and Salıpazarı: Kale Doruğu Mound, the forest highland pastures, Salıpazarı chestnut honey.
Suggested Itineraries
Day 1 – In the footsteps of 19 May: The Monument of Honour, the Gazi Museum and the Bandırma Steamship Museum; then the Samsun Museum and sunset on Amisos Hill.
Day 2 – Bafra: Birdwatching in the Kızılırmak Delta, with Bafra pidesi and nokul for lunch.
Day 3 – Vezirköprü: A boat tour of Şahinkaya Canyon; on the way back, the Havza hot springs.
Samsun Cuisine
Samsun cuisine stands out for its pide and simit culture. Delicacies with registered geographical indications: Bafra pidesi, Çarşamba pidesi, Terme pidesi, Samsun simidi, Bafra nokulu, Bafra kaymaklı lokumu (Bafra lokum with clotted cream), Çarşamba keşkeği (wheat and meat porridge), Çarşamba kıvratması, Yakakent mantısı (Yakakent dumplings) and Samsun kaz tiridi (goose dish). Products: Bafra pirinci (Bafra rice) and Salıpazarı kestane balı (Salıpazarı chestnut honey).
Handicrafts
The Vezirköprü semaveri (samovar), Vezirköprü susuz bezi (Vezirköprü susuz cloth), Vezirköprü Tahtaköprü kilimi (Tahtaköprü kilim), Bafra zembili (Bafra basket), Çarşamba sekiz köşe kasketi (eight-panel flat cap) and Çarşamba ayakkabısı (Çarşamba shoes, “egg heel”) have registered geographical indications.
Practical Tips
- The Bandırma Steamship Museum and the Gazi Museum can be visited on the same day.
- Boat tours of Şahinkaya Canyon depart from the Altınkaya Dam jetty; ask about departure times according to the season.
- The best hours for birdwatching in the Kızılırmak Delta are morning and late afternoon.
