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10 places to visit in the Boyabat district of Sinop: Gökırmak Valley, Boyabat Castle and Basalt Columns (Rock Tombs). Plan your trip to Boyabat with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Location and Basic Information

Boyabat is a district of Sinop province, 82 kilometres from the provincial centre. It borders Durağan to the east, Ayancık, Gerze and Erfelek to the north, and Saraydüzü to the south. The district covers an area of 1,512 km², and the average elevation of its centre above sea level is 328 metres.

History

The district is believed to have been founded around 600 BC, with the first founders thought to be the Kaşkas. It then came under Hittite, Paphlagonian, Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, Pontic, Roman and Byzantine rule. Boyabat passed into Turkish hands after the Battle of Manzikert, and came under Ottoman protection when Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond.

Architecture and Culture

The Orta Bazaar was completely burned in a fire in 1925, and in its place a new bazaar was built with rectangular and square plans. Traditional crafts such as coppersmithing, tinsmithing, tanning and basketmaking were practised in the bazaar, and some of them continue to this day.

History and Culture

Boyabat passed into Turkish hands after the Battle of Manzikert. Ottoman protection began with Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s conquest of the Byzantine Empire of Trebizond. The old foundations of Boyabat Castle were laid by the Paphlagonians in the 6th century BC. The basalt cliffs are estimated to have formed 3 to 5 million years ago. Finds from the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods are displayed in the castle.

Highlights

Boyabat and Durağan passed into the hands of the Danishmends in AD 1105. The Ayancık-Boyabat and central districts of the Sinop sancak are regarded as among the regions that suffered the most martyrs in the Independence War. Boyabat Castle stands on one of two steep rocky hills facing each other in the Gökırmak Valley, where Boyabat District is located.

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Places to Visit in Boyabat

  • 3 Historic
  • 2 Religious
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Cultural
  • 1 Other

Historic Sites 3

Historic

Boyabat Castle

The castle on the rocky hill above the district centre dates to the Roman period. From the castle, which was restored in the Ottoman period, the Boyabat Plain and the Gökırmak Valley can be seen.

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Historic

Boyabat Historic Bazaar

The historic bazaar in the district centre reflects traditional trading culture through its shop buildings from the Ottoman period. This area, carefully preserved by the local people, is one of Boyabat's best-known landmarks.

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Historic

Daylı and Aşıklı Tekke Tombs

The Daylı and Aşıklı Tekke tombs in the district, dating from the Ottoman period.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Kaya Mosque

A mosque with a wooden and zinc minaret, named after the rock on which it was built.

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Religious

Great Mosque (Bayezid Mosque)

A mosque endowed by Yıldırım Beyazıt, rebuilt in 1856 from rubble stone.

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Natural Wonders 3

Nature

Gökırmak Valley

A valley whose geographical location forms the basis of the district's founding.

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Nature

Basalt Columns (Rock Tombs)

The basalt rock formations around Boyabat are of geological interest for their natural column structures.

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Nature

Basalt Cliffs Nature Monument

A nature monument of vertically formed basalt columns, located in three valleys.

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Cultural Venues 1

Cultural

Orta Bazaar

A traditional bazaar of the arasta type, rebuilt after the fire of 1925.

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Other Places 1

Other

Boyabat Clock Tower

A tower with a polygonal body resembling a minaret, in the park opposite Boyabat Castle.

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Places to Visit Around Sinop Province

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

  • Sinop Castle — Surrounding the Sinop peninsula and dating from the 7th century BC, its walls are 2,050 metres long, 25 metres high and 3 metres wide.
  • Sinop Historic Prison — A two-storey cut-stone building with a U-shaped plan and 28 wards, beside the castle walls; known as the "Alcatraz of Anatolia", it was closed in 1999 and turned into a museum in 2000.
  • Hamsilos — A bay at İnceburun, at the northernmost tip of Türkiye, that runs 300–400 metres inland from the mouth of the Deveci Stream; it is known for its fjord-like appearance and is surrounded by forest.
  • Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls — A series of 28 waterfalls on the Karasu Stream, about 10 km from Erfelek and 45 km from Sinop, in a valley that came to light when a road was built in 1997.
  • Alaaddin Mosque — A Seljuk-period mosque and its courtyard in the centre of Sinop.
  • Boztepe — A peninsula 8–9 km long that carries most of the city of Sinop; the only natural harbour on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea lies on its southern side, and there is a lighthouse at its eastern tip.

Practical Information for Visiting Boyabat

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
10 places

What to Eat in Boyabat

Food guide →

  • Boyabat Sırık Kebabı

    Boyabat Sırık Kebabı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 September 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no: 549). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Boyabat Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

  • Boyabat Pide

    Boyabat pide is known for its thin dough and generous fillings. It is baked in a stone oven.

  • Keşkek

    Keşkek, prepared by slow-cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is indispensable at wedding feasts. Prepared in a communal spirit, keşkek is essential to the wedding table.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Boyabat

  • Castle and Bazaar Culture

    Boyabat Castle and its historic bazaar form the foundation of the district's cultural identity.

Local Products

  • Boyabat Çember — Boyabat Çember was registered as a designation of origin on 3 February 2010 (TÜRKPATENT registration no: 126). Product group: textiles. Registered by: Boyabat Municipality.
  • Boyabat Ezmesi — Boyabat Ezmesi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 June 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no: 1870). Product group: chocolate, confectionery and derived products. Registered by: Boyabat District Governorship.
  • Boyabat Gazidere Tomato — Boyabat Gazidere Tomato was registered as a designation of origin on 12 April 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no: 427). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Boyabat District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Economy

Boyabat's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Rice, wheat and vegetable production are the main agricultural activities.

How to Get to Boyabat

Boyabat is 100 km from Sinop city centre and 80 km from Kastamonu. The D-030 highway passes through the district.

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Boyabat: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Boyabat?

The 10 highlights of Boyabat: Gökırmak Valley, Boyabat Castle, Basalt Columns (Rock Tombs), Boyabat Historic Bazaar, Basalt Cliffs Nature Monument, Boyabat Clock Tower, Kaya Mosque, Orta Bazaar, Great Mosque (Bayezid Mosque) and Daylı and Aşıklı Tekke Tombs.

What is there to eat in Boyabat?

Boyabat Sırık Kebabı, Boyabat Pide and Keşkek are the standout flavours on Boyabat's tables.

What is Boyabat famous for?

Boyabat is known for Boyabat Çember and its castle and bazaar culture. It is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a designation of origin product.

How do I get to Boyabat?

Boyabat is 100 km from Sinop city centre and 80 km from Kastamonu. The D-030 highway passes through the district.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Boyabat?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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