Turkey’s Black Sea coast and history-rich heartland are ideal for curious travellers looking to see more than the typical tourist highlights. The often-overlooked region has some of the richest and oldest history in Turkey, from important Neolithic and Hittite sites to Silk Road caravansaries and beautifully preserved Ottoman-era mansions. Let a private guide reveal it all to you in detail as you navigate your way along rugged coastlines and through forested mountains to the big-city buzz of the modern-day capital.
Late May to mid-June is an especially rewarding time to travel, when warm days, verdant landscapes and abundant wildflowers bring Turkey’s Black Sea coast and northern landscapes to life.
Price depends on the experiences and accommodation included, and your time of travel. It is based on two adults travelling for 11 nights and does not include international flights.
1 night Istanbul, 1 night Göynük, 1 night Safranbolu, 1 night Amasra, 1 night Kastamonu, 1 night Sinop, 1 night Samsun, 1 night Amasya, 1 night Corum, 2 nights Ankara
What makes your Turkey holiday special?
- Discover beautifully preserved Ottoman towns and mansions in Göynük, Safranbolu and Amasya.
- Explore dramatic mountains, deep valleys, wild forests and rugged coastlines.
- Visit the Late Bronze Age capital of the Hittites, the ancient civilisation who challenged the Egyptian pharaohs for control of Anatolia.
- Stay in small, hand-picked properties brimming with character and local charm.
- Travel in comfort by private Mercedes minivan, accompanied by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
Your Black Sea Discovery itinerary
Ottoman traditions
Days 1-2: Istanbul & Göynük
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Karaköy, one of the city’s most distinguished neighbourhoods. Explore some of Istanbul’s many famous sites, such as the Hagia Sophia or Grand Bazaar, before dining in one of its many trailblazing restaurants.
After breakfast the following day, leave Istanbul behind and head east to Göynük, a beautifully preserved Ottoman town tucked into the forested hills of western Anatolia, where historic timber-framed houses jostle with mosques, hammams, fountains and tombs. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before setting out on foot to explore the town, visiting the Gazi Süleyman Pasha Mosque and the Tomb of Akşemseddin, the celebrated 15th-century scholar, physician and Sufi teacher who became spiritual mentor to Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople in 1453.
In the evening, enjoy a dinner of traditional Anatolian dishes at Aksemsettinoğlu Konağı, a 150-year-old Ottoman mansion turned boutique hotel.
Mosaics & mansions
Day 3: Safranbolu
Enjoy the shifting scenery as you head further east to Safranbolu, stopping en route at the Roman ruins of Hadrianopolis, home to a remarkably well-preserved collection of floor mosaics, as well as baths, a villa complex and several early Christian churches.
The preservation of hundreds of white-washed Ottoman mansions has made Safranbolu a virtual time capsule, transporting you back to the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a walk through the town’s historic centre, being sure to admire the rooftop views from Cinci Han, the former caravanserai that put the town on the map in the 17th century. Or for a deeper dive into Safranbolu’s fascinating architectural history, consider our expert-led Architects & Artisans experience.
The Black Sea beckons
Day 4: Amasra
Today you’ll head north to the shores of the Black Sea and the charming coastal town of Amasra. With its old town ringed by castle walls and arresting views in almost every direction, the tiny town punches well above its weight, set on a thin peninsula at the base of steep forested hills.
Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant, visit the Amasra Archaeology Museum and stroll along Çekiciler Street, historically associated with craftsmen and still known for its workshops producing wooden souvenirs. Enjoy time at leisure to walk the rocky trail round the island of Boztepe, connected to the town by a 9th-century bridge, or perhaps swim in the sea off the town’s attractive beach.
Peeling back the layers of history
Days 5-6: Kastamonu & Sinop
Journey back inland to the small city of Kastamonu, known for its rich culinary culture and atmospheric backstreets. On the way you’ll pass through Küre Mountains National Park, an extensive area of forests, waterfalls, caves and canyons, home to bears, wolves and golden eagles. You’ll also stop at the village of Kasaba to visit the 14th-century Mahmut Bey Mosque, celebrated for its entirely wooden interior and superbly detailed craftsmanship. Wander the historic centre of Kastamonu, visit the hilltop castle that has watched over the city since the Byzantine period and explore the Evkaya Rock Tombs, a fascinating group of rock-cut monuments that date back to the Iron Age.
A return to the coast the following day sees you travel to Sinop, a convivial fishing port with deep historical roots. The Sinop Archaeology Museum gives a sense of the city’s Greek, Roman and Byzantine past, while the Alaaddin Mosque is a perfect example of Seljuk religious architecture. A walk along the waterfront, watching fishermen bring in their daily catch, brings you back to the present – the perfect setting for a seafood supper.
Mosques, museums & muscatel apples
Days 7-8: Samsun & Amasya
Continue east along the coast to Samsun, which stands on the site of ancient Amisos, an important settlement that flourished under Greek, Persian, Pontic and Roman influence. Visit the Samsun Museum before continuing to the Tekkeköy Caves Archaeology Valley, one of the most important prehistoric settlement areas in the central Black Sea region.
After a night at your hotel in Samsun, travel south from the Black Sea plains to Amasya. Set within a narrow valley along the banks of the Yeşilırmak River, Amasya has one of the most dramatic settings in all Turkey. Enjoy a walk through its old quarter, where beautifully restored Ottoman residences line the waterfront, and discover the city’s many important mosques and madrassas, built to reflect Amasya’s royal patronage during the 15th and 16th centuries, when Ottoman princes were sent here from Istanbul to gain administrative experience before ascending to the throne.
Later, visit the Ferhat and Şirin Lovers Museum, inspired by one of Anatolia’s best-known love legends, and stop to taste the region’s famous muscatel apples, prized throughout Turkey for their distinctive fragrance and naturally sweet flavour.
The Hittite heartland
Days 9-10: Çorum
Travel west to Çorum, gateway to the ancient heartland of the Hittite civilization, which flourished in Anatolia during the late Bronze Age, competing with ancient Egypt for influence across the Near East. Decipher cuneiform tablets, ceremonial objects, weapons and more at the Çorum Archaeology Museum and visit Çorum’s distinctive clock tower, built during the late Ottoman period.
The next day, explore the extensive ruins of Hattusa, the former capital of the Hittite Empire and one of Turkey’s most important archaeological sites. Highlights include monumental city gates, temple complexes and a record of the famous Treaty of Kadesh, concluded between the Hittite king Hattusili III and Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II – one of the world’s earliest surviving international peace treaties.
Nearby Yazılıkaya is equally impressive, with well-preserved figures of Hittite gods and goddesses carved into the rock face, as is the Sphinx Gate at Alacahöyük, another major archaeological site. Continue after to the Turkish capital and check in for two-nights at Divan Çukurhan, set in an old caravanserai in Ankara’s citadel.
Capital crescendo
Days 11-12: Ankara
Explore the cultural highlights of Turkey’s capital, including the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, whose outstanding collection includes artefacts representing 10,000 years of Anatolian history, uncovered at archaeological sites all over the country. Transfer to the airport the following morning in time to catch your flight home.
Where you'll stay
Great journeys need great places to lay your head. These are our tried and tested suggestions.
Customise your journey
All our journeys are fully bespoke and can be customised to meet your needs, interests and preferences. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.
Consider a few extra days at the beginning to explore Istanbul, unquestionably one of the world’s greatest cities, where the term ‘living history’ has never felt more apt.
If you’re a nature lover, dedicate some more time to Küre Mountains National Park, a region known for its ancient forests and extraordinary canyons. There are numerous hiking trails to enjoy, from relatively gentle walks to more demanding canyon routes.
For more cities linked by old Silk Road trading routes, continue east from Amasya to explore Tokat and Sivas. Tokat has a wonderfully intact old town home to both Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, while Sivas’ 13th-century seminaries are among the finest Seljuk buildings in all Turkey.
Extend your journey with a visit to Cappadocia, where conical rocks known as ‘fairy chimneys’ erupt from the desert floor, some soaring as high as five-storey buildings.
Looking for more inspiration?
We have a huge range of inspiring private experiences and accommodation options available. Get in touch with our Turkey specialists.
ENQUIRELearn more about our luxury holidays, or call our expert Europe team on +44 1367 850566 / 1-855-216-5040 (toll free) to discuss how we can turn your dreams into something truly magical.
“A land which nature and climate have favoured beyond all others, once the home of all art and all civilisation.”