Samsun; A logistics center located in the central part of the Black Sea, the most popular in the region in the fields of health, education and economy… But most importantly, this city is “the city of the Great Leader Atatürk”…
When the beauties that nature offers generously to the historical buildings where you can see the traces of the glorious history that they have witnessed, it is imperative that everyone set foot in Samsun one day.
So how to get to Samsun, the capital of the Black Sea; What to see and do in this beautiful city? We invite you to a very comprehensive Samsun guide to answer all these questions.
Places to Visit in Samsun
museums
Bandırma Ferry and National Struggle Park Open Air Museum
The place and importance of Samsun in the War of Independence is indisputable.
You should definitely start your visit to Samsun with the Bandırma Ferry, which arrived in the city on May 19, 1919, to see this most crucial point in history from the eyes of the world, to visit a comprehensive exhibition including the wax statue of Atatürk and the gun of the governorship, and to feel the spirit of struggle in your veins.
This museum, which you can visit by paying a symbolic fee of 1 TL, is located in the Belediye Evleri Mahallesi in Canik.
Since Bandırma Ferry is one of the most visited tourist spots in Samsun, you can easily reach here by means of frequent minibus services.
Samsun City Museum
One of Turkey’s best city museums is located in Samsun.
The museum, which was opened in 2013 and was created by restoring the old buildings belonging to the State Railways, is located in the district of İlkadım and can be visited free of charge with a museum card.
In the museum, you can find detailed information about the famous people born in Samsun, the history of Samsun dating back to ancient times and the lifestyle in the city.
Before going to the museum, you can also examine the floor plans and the exhibits on the internet with a detailed virtual tour.
There are also electronic guides in the museum that you can listen to with headphones.
Samsun Archeology and Ethnography Museum
Finds dating back to the Bronze Age, found in and around Samsun, are exhibited in this museum.
Archeology and Ethnography Museum with an entrance fee of 5 TL; It can be visited free of charge with a museum card.
Although the museum is open every day of the week under normal conditions, it is a good idea to get confirmation before you go.
Renovation and renovation works continue in the museum, which has been standing since 1981.
Samsun Gazi Museum
Because of its great importance in history, Samsun’s museums are more numerous than other provinces.
This place, formerly known as Mantika Palas and serving as a hotel, was converted into the Gazi Museum in 1940.
Mantika Palace; It is also known as the hotel where Atatürk stayed when he came to Samsun.
This museum is worth a visit, especially if you want to see the original of the Tenth Anniversary Speech.
Don’t forget to note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
Historical and Natural Beauties
Bafra Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary
The Kızılırmak Delta, which is one of the largest deltas in Turkey, is located approximately 30 km from the city center of Samsun.
The Kızılırmak Delta, which contains natural beauties falling from heaven, has also written its name on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The Bafra Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, located in the Bafra district of Samsun, was formed in 2000 years geologically.
This unique place, which also hosts the Mülk Lakes, Liman Balik, Gıcı, Uzun, Cernek and Karaboğaz Lakes, has an incredible diversity and richness in terms of both flora and fauna.
It is also possible to participate in bird watching activities organized from time to time in Bafra Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, where you can see 321 different species from 420 different bird species in Turkey.
It is a good idea to visit the bird paradise with a guide, where you can get different information about birds, including 24 different species of endangered birds.
Renting a car may be a more suitable option, as the buses or minibuses you will take from Samsun city center do not bring them up to the entrance of the Bafra Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary.
Bird Paradise, which is approximately 17 km from Bafra district center, is also 65 km away from Samsun city center.
There is no charge for the entrance to the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, where visitors want to come once again with its calmness, life-giving atmosphere and quiet calmness.
In addition to bird watching, the activities you can attend in the bird paradise include photography tours, cycling, trekking, camping, canoe tours and fishing.
Samsun Honor Monument
This valuable work, also known as the Atatürk Monument, has been decorating Atatürk Park in Samsun city center since 1931.
The monument, which is the work of Austrian artist Heinrich Krippel and portrays Atatürk on a horse, is one of the largest in the world in terms of size and balance.
Of course, it is not possible to return from Samsun without having a photo taken in front of the honor monument.
Amisos Hill King Tombs
After a pleasant journey by cable car, you can reach the king tombs of Amisos Ancient City.
This place also hosts a magnificent Black Sea view.
The jewels, also known as the Amisos treasure, unearthed from the king’s tombs are among the exhibits in the Archeology and Ethnography Museum.
However, if you want to see the historical ruins here and breathe the air from ancient times, don’t forget to have a drink at the cafe run by the municipality.
Here, you will have the chance to watch a large spectacle area that extends up to Altınkum.
Tekkeköy Caves
This place, also called Archeology Valley, is the oldest known settlement of Samsun.
In this archaeological site, which is only 1 kilometer from Tekkeköy town centre; There are large and small caves formed naturally.
In the excavations carried out in the region since 1940, many tools and tools belonging to the first people who made a living by hunting and gathering, as well as reliefs and vases with human faces were found.
To reach Tekkeköy Caves, you may want to use the Tekkeköy minibuses that depart from Samsun center every 15 minutes.
It is also possible to reach this place, which is also used as a promenade, by private vehicle.
Amazon Village
There is no similarity in the naming of the Amazon Village.
Indeed, leading a matriarchal life; There are mentions of amazon women who used bows and arrows and gave up a chest to fight better.
Founded in Batı Park in the city center of Samsun, this village; It contains many representations of female warriors thought to have lived in the Terme town of Samsun in the past. The realism of the wax sculptures fascinates those who see it.
Also called “Amazon Island” because it is separated from the land by a channel, this green area has an artificial ski track, picnic areas and fish restaurants.
You can easily reach the Amazon Village by following the Baruthane stop on the tram, bus and minibus.
Akdag Ski Center
Another recommendation is for those who make their visit to Samsun coincide with the winter period.
Akdag; It consists of 6 track areas, which are covered with a white cover in winter and offer the Black Sea people the opportunity to do skiing.
There are many accommodation and food and beverage alternatives in the region, and all of them are much cheaper than their derivatives across the country.
Beginners to ski can also relax because the slopes are not crowded.
You can reach the ski center, located within the borders of Ladik district, after about an hour’s drive from the center of Samsun.
