Amasya

A historic city in the Yeşilırmak Valley, with Pontic royal tombs carved into the cliffs and picturesque Ottoman houses.

Amasya lies in the inland Black Sea region of Turkey, and its capital, Amasya, sits in the narrow valley of the Yeşilırmak River. Tombs of the kings of the ancient Pontic Kingdom are cut into the cliff north of the city, especially striking when lit at night, while restored Ottoman timber-frame houses line the riverbank, and the city also has Seljuk and Ottoman mosques, hospitals and other old buildings. Amasya was the birthplace of the ancient Greek geographer Strabo and is famous for its apples. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. You can arrive via the airports at Samsun or Tokat, and a railway also passes through.

Destinations

• Amasya

Itineraries

• Ottoman Towns and Hittite Capital of Anatolia – Safranbolu wooden houses, Amasra harbor, Ankara museums, Hattusa, and the rock tombs of Amasya.