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Sinop, Turkey
Photo made by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com
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Must-include attractions sorted by popularity
Most popular attractions in Sinop, Turkey
1. Sinop Fortress (Sinop Castle)
Sinop Castle
Sea-facing medieval fortress with sweeping Black Sea views. Walk the ramparts and visit the old prison museum for history and panoramic photos.
2. Sinop Historical Prison Museum (Tarihi Sinop Cezaevi)
Tarihi Sinop Cezaevi
Step inside Turkey's atmospheric former high-security prison, steeped in political and literary history. Walk narrow corridors, see preserved cells and haunting murals.
3. Sinop Archaeology and Ethnography Museum (Sinop Müzesi)
Sinop Müzesi
Explore Sinop's layered past through archaeology and folk collections. Wander compact galleries of pottery, sarcophagi, traditional costumes and maritime finds.
Book a FREE walking tour in Sinop, Turkey
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
4. Hamsilos Bay (Hamsilos Nature Park)
Hamsilos Nature Park
Dramatic fjord-like bay with emerald water and pine-clad cliffs, perfect for a peaceful nature escape. Walk rocky headlands, watch seabirds, and photograph the narrow inlet at sunrise.
5. İnceburun Lighthouse (İnceburun Feneri)
İnceburun Feneri
Stand at Turkey's northernmost cape for dramatic Black Sea cliffs and wide ocean panoramas. Walk the headland, watch waves crash against rocks and capture golden-hour photos.
6. Akliman Beach & Pine Forest (Akliman)
Akliman
Dramatic coastline where sandy beach meets fragrant pine forest. Walk coastal cliffs, swim in clear water and picnic under shaded pines.
7. Pervane Medrese (Pervâne Medrese)
Pervâne Medrese
A compact 13th-century Seljuk medrese with fine stonework and a peaceful courtyard. Wander vaulted halls, study inscriptions, and photograph the courtyard and sea-facing views.
8. Alaaddin Mosque (Alaeddin Camii)
Alaeddin Camii
A quiet 13th-century Seljuk mosque on Sinop's historic cape, full of carved stone detail. Wander the courtyard, study the mihrab and enjoy Black Sea views from the grounds.
9. Balatlar Church (Balatlar Kilisesi)
Balatlar Kilisesi
Early Byzantine mosaics and carved stonework on Sinop's coast. Walk among weathered columns and colorful floors with open-air sea views.
10. Sinop Harbor / Marina (Sinop Limanı)
Sinop Limanı
A lively seaside hub with fresh seafood and fortress views. Stroll the quay, watch fishermen, and catch a sunset over Sinop Castle.
Additional popular things to do in Sinop, Turkey
Curated tours, tickets, and activities recommended by travelers
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Sinop Nokul
A flaky, yeasted pastry often filled with walnuts and cinnamon, sinop nokul is Sinop's signature tea-time treat and is traditionally made for special gatherings.
Cevizli Sucuk
Known as 'walnut sausage', this chewy confection is made by stringing walnuts and coating them in thickened grape molasses, it is a popular homemade sweet in Sinop and the wider Black Sea region.
Pestil
Fruit leather made from sun-dried fruit purée, pestil is produced in Sinop's orchards and often enjoyed as a natural, long-lasting sweet snack through the winter.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Hamsi Tava
Crispy fried anchovies are a Black Sea staple, and in Sinop hamsi tava is a beloved street and home-cooked dish served with lemon and fresh greens.
Hamsi Pilavı
Anchovy pilaf combines rice with tiny fried anchovies and local spices, it is a distinctive coastal comfort food that highlights Sinop's rich fishing tradition.
Sinop Mantısı
Sinop has its own style of mantı, small handmade dumplings served with yogurt and melted butter, reflecting a homestyle culinary tradition in the region.
Traditional Beverages
Karadeniz Çayı (Black Sea Tea)
Although Rize is the best-known tea producer, strong black tea is central to daily life in Sinop, served throughout the day and offered to guests as a sign of hospitality.
Şıra
Şıra is a lightly sweet, unfermented grape juice often consumed in the region, and it is also used to make traditional sweets like cevizli sucuk.
Ayran
This salted yogurt drink is a classic accompaniment to hearty Sinop dishes, it refreshes the palate after oily or fried seafood and is ubiquitous in local meals.
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Day trips
Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls
Series of tiered waterfalls and wooden walkways.
Google MapsBoyabat Castle and Caves
Medieval fortress overlooking scenic canyon and caves.
Google MapsComments (14)
Thought Sinop would be livelier, many shops close early and nightlife is sparse. Still safe and family friendly though.
Loved the fortress views but summer crowds make the promenade noisy. Food affordable, try the local pide stalls.
Charming seaside town, fresh fish everywhere and a slow pace. Perfect for a 2-3 day unwind, mornings foggy but afternoons sunny.
Expected more lively cafes, parts of the town felt sleepy and a bit run-down. Nice nature though, not for party seekers.
Beautiful views from the peninsula, but summer crowds and heat can be brutal. Go in shoulder season if you hate crowds.
Getting there
Train stations
Regional and intercity connections along the Black Sea corridor
Limited regional connections to central Anatolia
Local and regional services with bus links to Sinop
From Sinop Airport take a taxi or shuttle; from Samsun or Kastamonu use a bus or rent a car.
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