Sinop

Sinop sits on Turkey’s northern Black Sea coast, where stone walls from the Byzantine era line the shore and pine forests edge quiet beaches. Founded by Greek settlers over 2,500 years ago, the city later became an important Ottoman port. The medieval Sinop Fortress still circles the peninsula, its thick walls holding a former prison that now displays stories of its past. Near the harbor, a bronze statue shows Diogenes, the ancient philosopher who lived here, holding a lantern. Mild summers and cool winters make this a practical place to explore year-round, whether you’re walking old streets or sitting by the water with a plate of fried anchovies.

Exploring Sinop’s Past

Sinop Fortress wraps around the peninsula with walls stretching 3 kilometers. Greek settlers began building them in the 8th century BCE, and later rulers like the Romans and Ottomans expanded the structure. Inside, the old prison cells now hold exhibits about daily life for inmates, including tools they crafted from scraps. A five-minute walk east brings you to the Alaaddin Mosque, completed in the 1200s under Seljuk rule, its doorways carved with precise geometric designs. Just outside the fortress gates, the Pervane Medrese—a stone building from the 13th century—has workshops where artisans weave textiles and shape silver earrings.

Beaches, Forests, and Coastal Views

Hamsilos Bay, a narrow inlet carved by glaciers, sits 11 kilometers west of the city. You can picnic by the water or paddle kayaks when the sea is smooth. Head south to Erfelek, where 28 connected waterfalls drop through a valley shaded by oak trees; wooden walkways let you hike close to the cascades. For swimming, Karakum Beach has dark sand and clear water, while Akliman Beach’s golden sand stretches nearly 5 kilometers. Drive 22 kilometers north to Inceburun Lighthouse, where a stone tower marks Turkey’s northern tip and offers wide views of the Black Sea.

Museums and Ancient Ruins

The Sinop Archaeological Museum keeps pottery, coins, and weapons from Greek and Ottoman times, including clay jars pulled from sunken ships. Ten minutes away, the Aslantorunlar Ethnography Museum fills an old wooden house with displays of traditional wool coats, copper coffee pots, and rifles used by local guards. Near the harbor, the crumbling Balatlar Church still shows traces of painted saints on its walls, and scattered stones from the Serapeum temple lie nearby. Don’t overlook the Statue of Diogenes in the main square—he holds a lantern and stands beside a dog, referencing his belief in living simply.

What to Eat in Sinop

Small fried fish called hamsi anchor most meals here, served fresh from the Black Sea. Try them stuffed with rice or layered into a pilaf with onions and tomatoes. Manti, dumplings filled with spiced beef and topped with yogurt, are a common lunch in family-owned eateries. Sweet versions of manti come filled with crushed walnuts and soaked in syrup. Cafes near the harbor serve strong black tea with circular sesame breads called simit. At the weekly market by the fortress, vendors sell jars of chestnut honey and linen towels woven in nearby villages.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Sinop Airport has daily 90-minute flights from Istanbul, with taxis available to the city center. Buses run regularly to Samsun (3 hours) and Ankara (6 hours). June to August brings the warmest weather, averaging 26°C, while May and September are cooler for hiking. Shared minibuses depart every hour from the bus station to Hamsilos Bay and Inceburun. Plan around the Erfelek Waterfalls Festival in July, which includes folk dances and craft stalls, or the Happiness Festival in September with live music and wrestling matches.

Lesser-Known Details

Surveys frequently name Sinop one of Turkey’s most content cities, with locals citing strong community ties and quiet living. A proposed nuclear plant near the city was halted after protests, and debates about energy needs still surface. Diogenes’ influence lingers—guides joke that his lantern-lit search for honesty explains why locals speak bluntly. During the Happiness Festival, workshops teach breathing exercises and pottery, nodding to the philosopher’s focus on simple pleasures.