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8 places to visit in the Gerze district of Sinop: Gerze Castle, Gerze Shore and Gerze Harbour. Plan your trip to Gerze with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Gerze is a district of Sinop province, with a city-centre population of around 20,190. The district lies 13 nautical miles from Sinop by sea and 39 km by road.

History

Throughout history Gerze has been known by the names Zagora, Gürzühatun, Savetova and Argibete. It came under Seljuk rule in 1214, during the reign of I. İzzettin Keykavus, and joined the Ottoman Empire in 1459, during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet. On 13 February 1956 the district suffered a major fire disaster, after which the state rebuilt it as a modern district.

Geography

It is bordered by the Black Sea to the north, Boyabat and Durağan to the south, Dikmen to the east and Sinop to the west. The average elevation of the district centre above sea level is 43 metres.

Population

Gerze is the third-largest settlement in Sinop province. According to the 2023 population results, the district has 29,534 inhabitants, of whom 20,190 live in urban areas and 9,344 in rural areas.

Economy

Considering socio-economic ranking and comparison with the other districts of Sinop, Gerze ranks third. The presence of beaches with the character of natural beaches in Gerze increases the district’s sea tourism potential. Together with the Kozfındık and Bozluk Plateaus, its mountainous areas are inputs that will give momentum to plateau and mountain sports tourism.

History and Culture

Gerze was brought under the Ottoman Empire by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1459. On 13 February 1956, Gerze suffered a major fire and was rebuilt by the state.

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Places to Visit in Gerze

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Nature
  • 2 Beach
  • 1 Attraction

Historic Sites 1

Historic

Yakupağa Mansion

One of the examples of civil architecture in Gerze.

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Ancient Cities 1

Ancient City

Gerze Castle

One of the district's historic structures.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Çeçe Sultan Tomb

A single-storey, single-chamber tomb from the Seljuk period, located within the boundaries of Yenikent town.

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Religious

Esmazade Mustafa Mosque (İskele Mosque)

A mosque in the town centre, one of Gerze's historic buildings.

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Natural Wonders 1

Nature

Kozfındık and Bozluk Plateaus

Plateaus located in Gerze district.

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Beaches and Coves 2

Beach

Gerze Shore

A coastline with the character of a natural beach, contributing to the sea tourism potential of the area.

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Beach

Gerze Beaches

Coastlines with the character of natural beaches.

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Attractions 1

Attraction

Gerze Harbour

A small fishing harbour, with colourful fishing boats and sea views, making it an ideal spot for photography.

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Places to Visit Around Sinop Province

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While you are in Gerze, you can also see the highlights of Sinop province. These places are in other districts; Gerze is about 40 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 Gerze

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
June–September
Places to visit
8 places

What to Eat in Gerze

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  • Fresh Fish

    Fresh fish from the Black Sea is served grilled or fried in Gerze's seafront restaurants.

  • Sinop Mantısı

    Known for its small size and yoghurt-and-garlic sauce, Sinop mantı is also served in Gerze using the traditional recipe.

  • Gerze pidesi

    A pide baked on Sundays in bakeries with minced meat and cheese, served to guests at ceremonies such as weddings.

  • Nokul

    A food associated with the Feast of Sacrifice and Sugar Feast (Bayram) celebrations.

  • Bilegi

    A dish in Gerze that heralds spring. It is cooked with salted fish when grasses begin to appear in the fields.

  • Hamuraşı (kulak hamuru)

    A dish in which a filling is placed in the middle of the dough, folded into a triangle shape and cooked in boiling salted water.

  • Islama

    A dish prepared by folding and cutting yufka flatbreads cooked on a griddle, then moistened with chicken broth.

  • Corn soup

    A soup made by simmering crushed corn and barbunya beans with bone-in meat over low heat.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gerze

  • Fishing Tradition

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

Local Products

  • Seafood — Fresh fish from Gerze harbour is an important local product of the district.

Economy

Gerze's economy rests on agriculture and livestock farming. Gerze's economy rests on fishing, agriculture and summer tourism. Small and large livestock are important sources of income. Beekeeping and forestry are also carried out in the district.

How to Get to Gerze

Gerze is 40 km from Sinop city centre. The Black Sea coastal road passes through the district. It is 130 km from Samsun.

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Gerze: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to see in Gerze?

The 8 highlights of Gerze are Gerze Castle, Gerze Shore, Gerze Harbour, Çeçe Sultan Tomb, Yakupağa Mansion, Esmazade Mustafa Mosque (İskele Mosque), the Kozfındık and Bozluk Plateaus and Gerze Beaches.

What should I eat in Gerze?

Fresh Fish, Sinop Mantısı, Gerze pidesi and Nokul are the standout dishes at Gerze tables.

What is Gerze famous for?

Gerze is known for its Seafood and its Fishing Tradition. Fresh fish from Gerze harbour is an important local product of the district.

How do I get to Gerze?

Gerze is 40 km from Sinop city centre. The Black Sea coastal road passes through the district. It is 130 km from Samsun.

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

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

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