Amasya

With the Yeşilırmak flowing through town, Pontic royal tombs carved into the cliffs and Ottoman wooden houses reflected in the river, this is northern Türkiye's most photogenic old town.

Amasya lies inland in the Black Sea region of north-central Türkiye. The Yeşilırmak River runs through the town between towering rocky hills, and the city stretches along the narrow valley, making it one of the most picturesque old towns in Türkiye. Its history runs deep: from the 3rd century BC it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pontus, and the ancient Greek geographer Strabo was born here; in Ottoman times it was a 'city of princes' where heirs to the throne were trained, with several future sultans serving as governor here in their youth, leaving behind many mosques, madrasas and tombs. The sights are concentrated on both banks: on the north bank are the rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings, Harşena Castle on the hilltop and Ottoman wooden mansions along the water; on the south bank are the Bayezid II Mosque, the Ilkhanid hospital (darüşşifa), the Archaeology and Mummy Museum and the riverside promenade. At night the tombs and old houses are lit up and reflected in the river, the highlight of any visit. The best times to go are Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct, with apple blossom in spring and the local apple harvest in autumn; summer is hot in the valley and winter is cold with occasional snow. Getting there: it's about 5 hours by bus from Ankara, about 50 km from Merzifon Airport and about 130 km from Samsun; the old town is easy to explore on foot, but you'll need a taxi or car for the castle and Lake Borabay. Plan 1–2 days, and be sure to stay at least one night to see the town lit up.

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