Amasra, home to numerous artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Genoese, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, is a popular destination for both local and international tourists thanks to its pristine bays, clean beaches, calm seas, and natural beauty, alongside a cuisine dominated by fish dishes.
This district, which includes Amasra Castle and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2013, draws attention with its ancient artifacts displayed at the Amasra Museum, alongside a church and a covered bazaar. The visitor count in the district, which faced accommodation challenges during the summer and holiday seasons such as Ramadan and Eid, rose from 600,000 in 2013 to over 2.2 million in 2023, an increase of approximately 3.5 times. This total includes 400,000 overnight guests, 30,000 from cruise ships, with the rest being day visitors as determined by vehicle entry and exit data.
“WE HAVE BECOME THE LOCOMOTIVE OF THE BLACK SEA AS AMASRA,” said Mete Ayyıldız, Vice President of the Amasra Culture and Tourism Association. He emphasized that the district is one of the region’s most significant tourism centers due to its history, natural beauty, and culinary culture. Ayyıldız mentioned that Amasra had a fruitful tourism season this year, with the local population of 6,000 swelling to 60,000 during the summer months. He continued, “We had a good season in Amasra, especially during the Ramadan and Eid holidays. Our guests’ satisfaction and feedback were very positive. In this respect, Amasra has become the locomotive of the Black Sea. Our castle, referred to by Mehmed the Conqueror as ‘Çeşm-i Cihan’ or ‘Pupil of the World,’ and our candidacy for the UNESCO Heritage List increase the interest in our district for cultural tourism. Our gastronomic value is also very important. Our guests have the opportunity to taste daily fish varieties and brand-registered Amasra salad made from local vegetables.”
Ayyıldız also noted that cruise tourism has boosted visitor numbers, stating, “Guests from Russia describe Amasra as the most beautiful and satisfying place in the region. Seeing our guests happy motivates us even more. We want to preserve and promote our cultural values, our fish and salad, to ensure our guests are happy in our region.”
Amasra Mayor Recai Çakır sees Amasra as the showcase of the Black Sea, standing out not only for its sea, sand, and sun but also for its historical and gastronomical values. Çakır reported that they host domestic tourists from all provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul, particularly during holiday seasons. “Thanks to the significant Amasra Port Project for our district, the onset of tourists arriving by sea is contributing to regional tourism. The interest in Amasra from both local and international tourists continues to grow, drawn by its historic artifacts and nature that blends every shade of green with the blue of the sea,” he stated
