Two harbors, one castle, one island
A three-thousand-year-old town of the Western Black Sea: Roman walls, a Genoese castle, two harbors and Rabbit Island in a single frame. From places to visit to the fish calendar, all of Amasra is on this page.
Calendar
What's on in Amasra?
Fixed days of the year, public holidays, the weekly market and turning points of the seasons.
Amasra Galla Market
Stalls of producers from the surrounding villages: seasonal vegetables, jam, chestnut honey, dried beans, cornmeal and handicrafts.
Anniversary of the Conquest of Amasra
The day commemorating Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror's capture of the city in 1460. Ceremonies and events at the castle and the harbor.
Republic Day
The holiday starts on the afternoon of October 28; ceremony and torchlight parade on the 29th. With the conquest anniversary, October is Amasra's month of ceremonies.
Atatürk Memorial Day
A minute of silence at 09:05 to the sound of sirens; boats in the harbor join in with their horns.
New Year's Day
Foggy harbor, quiet bazaar, fireplace-lit venues — the calmest face of winter Amasra. Anchovies are in full season.
Amasra in Ramadan
For the next ten years Ramadan always falls in the fish season: fresh anchovies and whiting on the iftar table, a calm town by the harbor.
Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı)
The holiday is Amasra's busiest time; it pays to book accommodation weeks in advance.
Fishing ban begins
Large boats stay in port; the variety on the stalls drops. For fish you have to wait for September.
National Sovereignty and Children's Day
School performances and children's events in the square. The town is at the peak of its spring green, and the crowds have not yet arrived.
Labor and Solidarity Day
An ideal week for a spring trip; the Galla Market stalls fill with seasonal greens.
Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı)
The four-day holiday brings one of the year's biggest waves of visitors; the bazaar and restaurants run at full capacity.
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
Ceremonies and youth events on the shore. The eve of the sea season; the first brave swimmers take a dip this week.
Maritime and Cabotage Day
Boat parades, swimming and sea races in the harbor. One of Amasra's liveliest summer days.
Democracy and National Unity Day
Commemorative programs are held; the town is at its summer peak, and on the holiday the beaches and bazaar are busy.
International Swimming Marathon
An open-water race swum between the two harbors, held for many years.
Amasra International City Festival
Four days of concerts, folk dances, theater, exhibitions and a kite event. The entire program is free. Exact dates are announced each year at the start of summer.
Victory Day
Official ceremony and celebrations along the shore; it falls in the same week as the City Festival.
Fishing season opens
The fishing ban is lifted and boats head out to sea. The first fresh bonito at the harbor reaches the stalls these days.
Cruise ship visits
When passenger ships on Black Sea routes call at Amasra, the harbor and bazaar come alive for the day. The schedule is not known in advance.
Weather
Amasra weather — 10 days
Forecast for the next ten days. Icons show the prevailing weather of the daytime hours (10:00–19:00).
Source: Open-Meteo. Forecasts are updated several times a day. If you are coming for photography: best shooting time guide.
All year round
What is Amasra like each month?
Every month has its own character. Choose when to come from here.
Amasra's calendar
Which fish, which month?
The stalls at the harbor change every month. Know in advance what you will find on your table.
Click on a fish name to reach that fish's guide to season, selection and cooking. The fishing ban lifts every year on September 1 and begins on April 15. Dates and abundance may vary from year to year; it is best to see the stalls early in the morning.
Discover
Whatever you came looking for
Places to Visit
The castle, Kemere Bridge, Boztepe, the museum and the bazaar.
Historic Sites
Two thousand years of traces stretching from Rome to the Genoese.
Photography Guide
The best light, seasons and shooting spots; a live 5-day recommendation.
Up close
Places to visit in Amasra
From the Castle Quarter to Boztepe, a separate guide for every stop.
Sea
Which beaches should you see?
From the two harbors in the center to the quiet coves around them, a separate guide for each.
Central Amasra
Surrounding coves
A little farther
Accommodation
Places to stay with a sea view
Hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Amasra that stand out for their views.
Ada Apart (Kumsal)
Apartments with kitchens near the beach, with sea views.
Hostel Amasra
Three minutes to both beaches; rooms with balconies at affordable prices.
Souvenirs
What to buy in Amasra?
You don't leave town empty-handed. Here is what to buy and where.
Spoons, plates, carved boxes, prayer beads and jewelry. Çekiciler Bazaar, the center of a centuries-old woodworking tradition; you can watch the masters at work in their workshops.
Çekiciler Bazaar · year-roundChestnut honey, homemade jams, molasses, Bartın dried beans, cornmeal and seasonal greens. If you want to buy from the producer, don't miss the Galla Market.
Galla Market · Tuesday and FridayFresh fish in season; anchovies and whiting in winter, bonito and bluefish in autumn. The best time to see the stalls is early in the morning, right after the boats return.
Harbor stalls · September–AprilNew
