Amasra Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do in Turkey’s Charming Black Sea Town

If there was only one phrase to describe Amasra, it would be a hidden gem. Yes, it’s a cliché, but Amasra really is one of those places that surprises people once they actually visit!

Amasra is a small coastal town in Bartın Province on Turkey’s Black Sea coast, and is a lovely (and easy!) stop on a Black Sea road trip.

Thanks to its compact size, Amasra isn’t a destination packed with museums or big-ticket attractions — and that’s exactly its charm. The best things to do in Amasra are slow, simple, and very local, like wandering through the old town, swimming in calm coves, enjoying views of Amasra castle from a bench, and lingering over long seafood lunches by the waterside.

This Amasra travel guide includes everything you need to know, including transportation, accommodations and hotels, what to do in Amasra, and much more. 

Psst! Amasra sounds very similar to Amasya, another (beautiful) city in Turkey. If you realized that you’re on the wrong page, then don’t worry — you can check out our Amasya Travel Guide blog post. 🙂

This blog post was fact-checked and updated in January 2026.

AMASRA: The Basics

Why visit Amasra? What is Amasra known for?

🏖️ Beaches! There are many beaches in Amasra and its vicinity, which makes Amasra a popular summer destination.

🐟 Seafood: Thanks to its coastal location, Amasra is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood. 

😌 A cozy atmosphere: Amasra’s small size and quaint cobblestone streets ensure that the city exudes a cozy atmosphere and a unique charm that’s sure to mesmerize visitors. 

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How many days do you need in Amasra?

Thanks to its small size, one full day is enough to see the main sights of Amasra, especially if you’re passing through the city as part of a larger trip (like our 2-week Black Sea roadtrip). You’ll have time to walk through the city, take photos, see the main tourist sights, and enjoy some yummy local seafood. 😋  

When is the best time to visit Amasra?

The best time to visit Amasra is between June and September, when the weather is warm enough for swimming and boat tours. July and August are the busiest months, while June and early September are quieter but still ideal.

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Amasra Regional Specialties 

Seafood: It comes as no surprise that a port city like Amasra would be famous for its seafood. 🙂 

Some typical seafood dishes in Amasra include hamsi (anchovies), tava (turbot), istravit (mackrel), levrek (seabass), lüfer (bluefish), and somon (salmon). Of course, there are also plenty of other fish varieties, but we’ve listed the most popular. 

Amasra Salad: What’s so special about a salad? You might ask. Well, you’ll see what the hype is about when you visit Amasra. 😉 We’re sure that you’ll be amazed at their locally-named salad, which is a combination of more than a dozen vegetables! Likewise, this salad serves as a natural accompaniment to the seafood. 🙂 

There are a dozen fish restaurants in Amasra to choose from, but we recommend Mustafa Amca’nın Yeri (a local favorite for 60+ years) or Gunbatimi Balik (we loved the amazing view of Amasra castle from the second floor!)

Honey Yogurt: Yogurt with honey (known as Ballı Yoğurt) is a staple on the dessert menu of practically every restaurant in Amasra. It’s a delicious and healthy way to end your meal, and can also be topped with crushed nuts. 

Wooden Souvenirs: The entire province of Bartin is famous for its wood handicrafts, including wooden spoons, salt and pepper shakers, trays, souvenir wooden houses, and much more. One of the best places to buy these souvenirs is at the local city bazaar (known as Çekiciler Çarşısı) — click here for the Google Map coordinates.   

How To Get To Amasra

By Airplane: Amasra does not have an airport in the city, but no worries: you can fly into the nearby Zonguldak Airport (code ONQ), which is 50 km (31 mi) from Amasra. There are regular flights from Istanbul starting at just 750 TL for a one-way ticket. 

However, we recommend checking the flight schedule ahead of time, since this route doesn’t fly every day.  

By Bus: You can easily travel to Amasra by bus. Amasra is reachable from nearby cities like Bolu, Bartın, Cide, Sakarya, and so on. In fact, you can take a bus to Bartin first (since it’s a larger city) and then make a dolmuș to Amasra from there. 

Likewise, there are also bus routes from major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Kayseri (Cappadocia), and Konya. 

By Car: The easiest way to get to Amasra is by car. In fact, Amasra is one of the destinations featured in our 2 Week Black Sea Road Trip itinerary! We recommend renting a car (our favorite is RentalCars) because you can visit the nearby beaches and towns (like the beautiful Cide!). 

Getting Around Amasra 

Amasra is very small and easy to get around. In fact, you can walk practically anywhere. 🙂 

There are also a few taxi stands in the center that are run by local drivers — click here for the location on Google Maps. 

What To Do in Amasra

Thanks to the city’s small size, the tourist attractions in Amasra might look a little different — in fact, some of the best things to do in Amasra are to take a leisurely stroll around the city, lay on the beach, and enjoy the atmosphere! 

Explore Amasra’s Kaleiçi Neighborhood

Kaleiçi Mahalle (Inner Castle neighborhood), also known as Amasra’s ‘Old Town,’ is the historic heart of the town. This compact old quarter is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, traditional houses, small guesthouses, and plenty of viewpoints overlooking the sea.

Getting lost here is part of the experience. One moment you’re walking past a fisherman mending his nets, the next you’re stumbling upon a quiet courtyard or a staircase leading to a panoramic lookout. It’s also one of the best areas in Amasra for photography, especially in the early morning or just before sunset.

Visit the Amasra Museum

The Amasra Museum covers five eras of history — the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, and Ottoman periods — and is a must-visit stop for getting acquainted with the history of this region. For such a small museum, we were impressed at how well-curated it was!

The museum itself is small enough to visit in about 45 to 60 minutes (depending on how you read and look at each exhibit ;)), making it an easy stop even if you’re short on time.

Some of the main highlights of Amasra Museum include Roman sculptures, mosaics, coins, and artifacts recovered from the surrounding Black Sea region, as well as exhibits that explain Amasra’s importance as an ancient port city.
The exhibits are well-done, with interactive displays, archaeological artifacts, ethnographic items, and even two rooms full of historical sculptures and busts. 

Take a Boat Tour Around Amasra’s Peninsula

During the warmer months, boat tours are one of the most popular activities in Amasra. These short scenic cruises circle the peninsula and nearby Rabbit Island, offering views of the castle walls, hidden coves, and the dramatic Black Sea coastline.

Tours usually last between 30 and 60 minutes and depart directly from the harbor. Prices are affordable, and no advance booking is typically required — just show up, compare a few kiosks, and hop on. Calm sea conditions make these tours especially enjoyable in the morning.

Cross Kemere Bridge

Kemere Bridge is one of Amasra’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the 9th century during the Byzantine period, it connects two sections of Amasra Castle and still functions as an active passage today.

Walking across the bridge is a whimsical and memorable experience, especially at sunset when the light reflects off the water below. Just note that the bridge tunnel is shared by pedestrians and cars, so keep an eye out when passing through!

Best Beaches in Amasra

Despite its small size, Amasra has several beaches within easy reach, making it a favorite summer escape for both locals and tourists. Here are some of the most popular beaches in Amasra:

🏖️ Büyük Liman Beach: Carved into the eastern side of the city, this beach has everything you need, including umbrellas, sunbeds, shower and dressing rooms, and toilets (for a fee). However, thanks to its location, it can get very popular during the summer, so be sure to come early. 

🏖️ Küçük Liman Beach: Just across from Büyük Liman (above), this smaller beach is rockier and less developed, but often quieter. It’s a good option if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and don’t mind fewer facilities.

🏖️ Çakraz Beach: Often considered the most beautiful beach in Amasra, Çakraz Beach is known for its clear water and scenic surroundings. It’s a short drive from town and offers a more spacious beach experience, especially compared to the central beaches.

🏖️ İnkumu Beach: Located about 30 minutes away by car, İnkumu Beach is a long stretch of sandy coastline with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and beach facilities. It’s ideal if you want a full beach day rather than a quick swim.

Local tip: If you’re visiting in summer, Amasra is busiest between late morning and early evening, especially on weekends. Early mornings and sunsets are noticeably calmer and offer the best light for photos — plus, it’s much easier to find a table at popular seafood restaurants.

Other Tourist Attractions in Amasra

⛰️ Kuşkayası Monument: Located just outside of the city, this is a beautiful monument carved into the side of a cliff. It was used as a traditional road marker during the first century AD and dedicated to Emperor Claudius. 

⛰️ Güzelcehisar Cliffs: One of the most unique natural wonders in Turkey is located just a 40-minute drive from Amasra! Güzelcehisar are lava columns that were formed 80 million years ago as a result of the cooling and crystallization of lava flowing from volcanoes. There are facilities for tourists, including wooden walkways, observation terraces, and small hiking trails. 

If you don’t have a car, no worries! There are also guided tours from Amasra to Güzelcehisar Cliffs like this one →

Where To Stay in Amasra

Despite its beautiful beaches and tourist potential, it’s surprising that there aren’t a lot of hotels in Amasra. However, we still managed to compile a list of the best accommodations and hotels in Amasra. 🙂 

Diamond Hotel

The best of the best, Diamond Hotel is it. This large complex has 67 rooms, including 59 standard rooms, 6 family rooms, and 2 suites. Besides the comfortable and spacious rooms, the hotel also has a fitness center, Turkish hamam, sauna, and outdoor pool with sprawling views of the sea. 

Sardinia Otel

A beautifully restored hotel right near the fortress. There’s also a spacious terrace and jaw-dropping views of the bay from the rooms.

Amasra Ceylin Otel

This is one of the top-rated hotels in Amasra (it has a 4.7/5 rating and 500+ reviews!) and offers stunning views from its cliffside location by the Black Sea. It is well-regarded for its comfortable accommodations, with spacious rooms, free parking, and friendly employees.

Amasra Kerem Apart

 For those who prefer to have the space and convenience of an apartment, Kerem Apart is within walking distance to the center and has an amazing view from the terrace. As a bonus, there’s free parking for guests.

Kum Butik Hotel

Before we get any further, we’d like to point out that kum means sand in Turkish. 🙂 This hotel is located in a traditional Ottoman mansion and within a block of the city center and the beach!

Kaf Konak

This was the hotel we stayed at during our trip to Amasra. It’s actually located in Bartin (a 20-minute drive from Amasra), but I fell in love ever since I saw the photos of Kaf Konak on Booking.com — and knew that I had to stay here! 

This hotel is an authentic konak, which is a traditional Ottoman-style mansion. The hotel was immaculately restored in 2010, when the owner added modern conveniences yet kept much of the original wooden walls, design, and heirlooms. 

Honestly, this was one of the best hotels during our entire Black Sea trip! The rooms were absolutely fantastic, with plush bedding, adorable little touches (like a retro radio, embroidered lace towels, etc). There’s an on-site restaurant with a nice mix of local and European dishes, and the complimentary Turkish breakfast was amazing!

Photo credits: Main image – Jorge Franganillo | hotel photos from respective hotels

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