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4 places to visit in the Yakakent district of Samsun: Yakakent Beach, Yakakent Forests and Yakakent Fishing Harbour. Plan your trip to Yakakent with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Yakakent (formerly Gümenüz/Gümenos) is a district of Samsun province. Its area is 204 km² and it lies at an elevation of 16 metres above sea level. Although fishing and tobacco are the leading elements of the economy, thousands of tourists bring money to the district during the summer. Yakakent is the sister city of the Japanese city of Kushimoto.

Administrative Structure

Yakakent district consists of 17 neighbourhoods.

History and Culture

Yakakent district was founded in 1990 and was formerly known as Gümenüz. Fishing and tobacco production formed the basis of the district’s economy. Yakakent has a sister-city relationship with the Japanese city of Kushimoto. The Anchovy Festival is an important cultural event that welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

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Places to Visit in Yakakent

  • 2 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
  • 1 Cultural
Nature

Yakakent Beach

The Yakakent beach, stretching along the Black Sea coast, is favoured for swimming in summer thanks to its natural sandy shore. Its calm atmosphere offers a holiday away from the crowds.

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Nature

Yakakent Forests

Extensive forested areas lie in the mountainous region to the south of the district. Suitable for hiking and picnics.

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Attraction

Yakakent Fishing Harbour

The centre of fishing activity, this harbour area is where seafood is processed and traded. It is an important place to eat seafood during the season.

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Cultural

Kushimoto Sister City Park

A symbol of Yakakent's sister-city relationship with Kushimoto in Japan. It is an area set aside for cultural and artistic events.

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Places to Visit Around Samsun Province

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While you are in Yakakent, you can also see the highlights of Samsun province. These places are in other districts; Yakakent is about 100 km from the provincial centre.

  • Bandırma Steamship Museum — A faithful reconstruction of the passenger steamship built in Glasgow in 1878 that brought Atatürk to Samsun on 19 May 1919, open to visitors as a museum in the National Struggle Park.
  • Amisos Hill — Tumulus tombs dating from the 3rd century BC, 4 km outside the city centre and thought to belong to one of the ruling families of the Kingdom of Pontus; they were discovered in 1995 and opened to visitors in 2008.
  • Kızılırmak Delta — One of the largest deltas in Türkiye at 56,000 hectares, within the boundaries of Ondokuzmayıs, Bafra and Alaçam; 22,000 hectares were declared a Ramsar site in 1998.
  • Şahinkaya Canyon — In Vezirköprü, a canyon about 1,500 metres long and 324 metres high that forms the deepest point of the Altınkaya Dam; it was made a nature park in 2015.
  • Ladik Lake — East of the centre of the Ladik district, a lake of 870 hectares known for its floating islets; with fish such as pike and carp, it hosts angling tourism.
  • Monument of Honour — A bronze monument in Atatürk Park, commissioned from the Austrian sculptor Heinrich Krippel in memory of Atatürk's landing at Samsun; it was officially opened on 15 January 1932.

Practical Information for Visiting Yakakent

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
June-September
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Yakakent

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  • Yakakent Mantısı

    Yakakent Mantısı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 1 December 2017 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 251). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Yakakent Municipality.

  • Fresh Fish

    Fresh fish from the Black Sea are served grilled or pan-fried in Yakakent's seafront restaurants.

  • Samsun Pidesi

    Known as closed pide, Samsun pidesi is also served in Yakakent using the traditional recipe.

  • Fresh Anchovy

    A fish of the whiting type caught around Yakakent. It is served as a main dish at the region's Anchovy Festival.

  • İçli Mantı

    Made with minced meat and walnuts, this mantı is eaten with garlicky yoghurt.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Yakakent

  • Fishing Tradition

    Fishing is a long-established tradition in Yakakent. In the coastal villages, fishing is an important part of the way of life.

Local Products

  • Fresh Seafood — Fresh fish from Yakakent's fishing shelter is an important local product of the district.

Economy

Yakakent's economy is based on fishing, agriculture and livestock farming. Coastal tourism in the summer months provides additional income.

How to Get to Yakakent

Yakakent is 100 km from Samsun city centre. The D-010 highway passes through the district. Sinop is 80 km away.

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Yakakent: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Yakakent?

The 4 highlights of Yakakent: Yakakent Beach, Yakakent Forests, Yakakent Fishing Harbour and Kushimoto Sister City Park.

What should I eat in Yakakent?

Yakakent Mantısı, Fresh Fish, Samsun Pidesi and Fresh Anchovy are the standout dishes on Yakakent's tables.

What is Yakakent famous for?

Yakakent is known for its Fresh Seafood and its Fishing Tradition. Fresh fish from Yakakent's fishing shelter is an important local product of the district.

How do I get to Yakakent?

Yakakent is 100 km from Samsun city centre. The D-010 highway passes through the district. Sinop is 80 km away.

How much time should I spend in Yakakent?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: June-September.

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