Making the most of Amasra
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
This is a tender port.
Amasra is an appealing little town built within the ramparts of a Byzantine citadel and known for its pleasant beaches. The area’s major attraction, however, is Safranbolu, an important caravan station on the East-West trade route that reached its height in the 17th century. For an immersion into Ottoman culture, it is just the ticket, as the town itself is a museum.
Amasra is a seaside resort on the Black Sea. Its population is normally 6,000, though this explodes in the summer to around 25,000.
Getting around
Enjoy a stroll down cobbled streets and visit graceful, well-preserved half-timbered houses.
Nearby places
Busses from Safranbolu take about 3 hours and cost around 10 YTL. Safranbolu is famous for its Ottoman houses both in Çarsi (old town) and the neighborhood of Baglar (literally "orchards"), and qualifies as a UNESCO World Heritage sight.
Mencilis (Bulak) Cave which is 3 km from Safranbolu, worth to see since it is the 4th biggest cave in Turkey.
Money
Turkey's currency is the Turkish Lira. Many shops and restaurants in the coastal resorts and big cities accept payment in euros and US dollars. But if you are planning to travel to other parts of the country, it is advisable to take some Turkish Lira.