Sinop is a beauty worth seeing with its lush green nature, deep blue sea, fishermen, famous historical castle and prison, waterfalls, unique taste of mantı and nokul in the Black Sea… The city, which takes its name from an Amazon queen named “Sinope”, considered as the founder of the city, is among Türkiye’s alternative tourism destinations.
Sinop, which is worth seeing with its lush green nature, deep blue sea, cobblestone streets leading to the sea, fishermen, plane tree tea gardens by the sea, castle, prison and waterfalls, is among Türkiye’s alternative tourism venues, with its recognition increasing in recent years. The history of the city of Sinop dates back to ancient times. It dates back to the legendary Amazons, known throughout history as a community of warrior women. As a matter of fact, in Hittite documents, it is written that Amazons and Kashkars lived in the region.
According to legend, Sinop, which took its name from an Amazon queen named Sinope, who is considered the founder of the city, was one of the most important port cities of different civilizations such as the Hellenic, Persian, Pontic, Eastern Roman Empire, Great Seljuk Empire, Candaroğulları and Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years since it is the only natural harbor in the Black Sea. Throughout history, the city has attracted attention as a military base with its castle and shipyard, and has hosted a lively trade life with a busy port and shipyard activities.
Hometown of Diogenes
The city center of Sinop, whose history dates back to ancient times, is very small. The city is surrounded by walls on all four sides that are still standing today. It is possible to walk all the streets of the city in 1-2 hours. Sinop is a peninsula as seen on the map. The city is entered from a single point, and at the entrance you will be greeted by the statue of Diogenes, one of the most important philosophers of the Ancient Greek period, who is rumored to have lived in a barrel. The famous Diogenes from Sinope, whom Plato called “Crazy Socrates”, who said to Alexander the Great when he asked him “Do you have a wish?”, “All I want from you is to not cast a shadow on me, nothing else.”
Escape from this prison is impossible!
Right across from the Diogenes Statue, there is the Historical Sinop Prison, which was once known as the “Alcatraz of Anatolia” and was said to be impossible to escape, and was closed and turned into a museum in 1999. The castle, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides and hosts the prison within the historical castle walls, was built approximately 4000 years ago by the Kaskians, the rulers of the region. The Greeks, Pontus, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans protected and strengthened the castle during their periods. The oldest documents regarding the use of the castle as a prison date back to 1568 in Evliya Çelebi’s travel diary. The official transformation of the inner castle into a dungeon took place in 1887. In 1939, another building was built to be used as a children’s prison.
The symbol of Sinop, ship models
One of the most important sources of income in Sinop, where sea and fishing are intertwined, is ship model making. This handicraft, which was started by two prisoners in Sinop Prison in the 1950s, spread rapidly in the city center as a result of the prisoners staying in Sinop after being released from prison, continuing this art and teaching the apprentices working with them how to make a cutter. Cutters, which were initially presented as souvenirs to visitors on passenger ferries coming to Sinop Port, became famous over time. Today, the boats bought as souvenirs by local and foreign tourists coming to Sinop have become the symbol of Sinop. In addition to cutter-making, which continues with traditional methods today, boat modeling, which is more up-to-date, requires technical knowledge and is worked on a project basis, is also seen in this handicraft.
Türkiye’s only natural fjord
Hamsilos, which is 11 kilometers away from Sinop city center, is a natural beauty worth seeing. This bay was formed as a result of glacial erosion. To reach Türkiye’s only natural fjord, Hamsilos Bay, where the forest and the sea intertwine, you need to pass through Akliman. Akliman, on the other hand, should definitely be visited as a different natural beauty with its endless sea, small bays hidden in the forest, small islands that you can reach by walking from the sea, and fishing shelters.
İnceburun, the northernmost point of Türkiye
While you’re in Akliman and Hamsilos, you shouldn’t miss visiting İnceburun, the northernmost point of Türkiye, 10 kilometers away. 42°06í north latitude and 34°58í east longitude points directly to this point. Rocks beaten by the rough Black Sea waves and a wonderful view await you from the small Lighthouse in İnceburun. The feeling of being at the northernmost point of the land you live in is a very interesting experience.
One of a kind: Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls
Another must-see place when you come to Sinop is Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls, which offer a completely different natural beauty on each level. These waterfalls are located within the borders of Tatlıca Village in Erfelek District, 42 km away from Sinop city center. It consists of nearly 30 large and small waterfalls lined up in a row in the same valley, and with this feature it is unique in the world. This place offers incredible surprises for those who love to explore nature. As you climb, you come across different beautiful waterfalls. Halfway down the track, there is a path right next to the waterfalls, but if you walk from there, you won’t be able to see any of the beauty below. If your goal is not a trip through the forest, but a unique view accompanied by sparkling waters in a magnificent nature, you should walk through the waterfalls and climb these waterfalls one by one.
Each waterfall along the trail makes you think the road might be over and you try to find the continuation of the road, as if solving a puzzle. Climbing the waterfalls is very easy in some places, and quite challenging in others. There are stretched ropes near some waterfalls. These ropes are shaped like steps and support you as you climb the rocks. In some places, the ponds created by waterfalls are quite deep and adventure enthusiasts dive into this ice-cold water. At the end of the track, you can see the source of the water that feeds all the waterfalls.
Places to visit
Historical Sinop Prison
Ethnography Museum
Pasha Bastions
Historical Water Channel
Balatlar Church
Akliman Natural Protected Area
Hamsilos Bay
Ayancık İnaltı Cave
Boyabat Rock Tombs and Castle
İnceburun Lighthouse
Things to eat and drink:
A must-try, black scorpionfish
The plane tree tea gardens, lined up side by side by the sea in the center of Sinop, are always crowded and lively. Drinking tea and eating freshly baked “simit” here is special. Breakfast is also very popular in these tea gardens. If you are hungry, fish restaurants where you can eat fresh fish from the Black Sea are also very common in this area. Every fish in Sinop is delicious, but the black scorpionfish, which is prepared in various ways such as fried, steamed and stew, should definitely be tried.
Sinop mantı with walnuts and butter
Another must-try taste of Sinop cuisine is Sinop mantı. This type of mantı is cut into a little larger pieces, its dough is softer, and it is served with garlic yogurt and walnut butter.
A table cannot be set without nokul
Nokul, a type of pastry made on trays at home in Sinop, especially during holidays, is sold in bakeries in the city center. Its thin, crispy dough offers a wonderful taste with walnuts and raisins inside.
