With Republic Day on Monday and a long weekend ahead, you have the chance to indulge in a quick getaway from the city. For those who have yet to pick a destination, the three-day weekend is a great opportunity to discover Amasra or Safranbolu.
Bartın's Amasra is ready to welcome visitors over the three-day holiday with its cuisine of fresh fish and salad, along with its natural beauty and historical buildings.
The district, which was added to UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List for the Castle of Amasra, is known for its virgin bays, clean beaches and calm sea.
Established in 30 B.C., Amasra once served as a center for the Roman and Byzantine civilizations and now stands as a modern testament of its rich history and timeless natural beauty.
In this small but mesmerizing town, you will find yourself in one of the most popular seaside spots Turkey has to offer. Here, there is never an off-season, and visitors travel year-round to discover the district's spectrum of colors in their natural, uninterrupted landscape, offering a cozy autumn getaway.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Amasra Mayor Emin Timur said the town hosts many visitors, especially from Ankara and nearby cities, during religious and official holidays. "Amasra presents an authentic atmosphere to its guests in autumn, as well. We expect many visitors over the long weekend thanks to the expected good weather. Our visitors can visit historical and touristic places, like the Castle of Amasra, Tavşan Island and Çekiciler Bazaar, and will have opportunities to enjoy fresh fish at the fish restaurants here. With the salad prepared from organic greens that grow in the vineyards and gardens of our region, Amasra will appeal to the tastes and hearts of visitors," Timur added.
Safranbolu, which is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, is another destination where you can spend your holiday.
The district, located in the northern Anatolian province of Karabük, was an important stop on the main East-West trade route in the region. The city's iconic sites such as the Old Mosque, the Old Bath and Süleyman Pasha School (madrasah) were built in the early 13th century and are also the main tourist attractions in the town.
"The City of Safranbolu is a typical Ottoman city, with classic buildings and streets, and played a key role in the caravan trade for centuries," reads UNESCO's description of the city. "There is no doubt about the authenticity of the street layout and the general townscape of Safranbolu, which is evocative of pre-industrial Turkey.
However, the level of authenticity in individual buildings is largely related to changes that have occurred in the interior parts as a response to modern needs and industrialization," adds the statement.
"Safranbolu is the apple of not only the western Black Sea regions, but also of Turkey's eye," said Safranbolu District Governor and Deputy Mayor Fatih Ürkmezer. "It is a touristic and attractive center with its houses, streets, caves and saffron.
We enjoy welcoming local and foreign visitors to Safranbolu. People come from Ankara and Istanbul on weekends; however, the district draws large crowds during the holidays," Ürkmezer said.
