Sinop, the open-air museum of the Black Sea, attracts attention with its cultural heritage and natural beauty.

The Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations left many traces in the city, which has been a trade and transit point from the northern shores of the Black Sea to Anatolia and the Mediterranean since ancient times.

The city welcomes visitors throughout the year with its touristic assets such as Sinop Castle, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Temporary List, Hamsilos Bay along the coast, and Karakum Beach.

The Alaaddin Mosque and Pervane Madrasa, which bear traces of the Seljuk and Ottoman periods in the city, are among the touristic structures that attract local and foreign visitors.

While the historical Sinop Prison is among the city's attractions with its cultural heritage and stories, nature enthusiasts can discover the unique views of the Black Sea in Hamsilos Bay and Akliman.

İnceburun Lighthouse, Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls and Karakum Beach also stand out among the natural beauties of Sinop.

Sinop Archaeological Museum

The first museum activities in Sinop began in 1921. Artifacts unearthed from the necropolis in the western part of the city, surrounded by city walls, and from foundation excavations within the city itself were initially preserved at the Mekteb-i İdadi (Higher Education School). As the number of artifacts gradually increased, the artifacts were transferred to the Pervane Madrasa in 1932, forming the nucleus of the upcoming museum.

The Sinop Archaeological Museum officially opened to the public in 1941. In 1970, a museum building was constructed in the center of Sinop, on the site of the Pervane Madrasa and the Temple of Serapis. With modifications in line with contemporary museum practices, the museum reopened to the public in April 2006.

The museum is of great value in terms of cultural memory at both local and national levels, as the city has supported different civilizations throughout history.

It is known that Sinop has rich archaeological data on subjects such as maritime, trade and burial traditions.

The museum also exhibits symbolic artifacts such as a sailor's sarcophagus.

The museum has a large stock of artifacts, which has sparked discussion about the idea of ​​a second archaeological museum, but some artifacts cannot be exhibited due to physical conditions.

Aslan Torun Mansion Ethnography Museum

Located in the Kefevi neighborhood, the Aslan Torun Mansion bears the hallmarks of the late 18th century. The three-story mansion's foundation and ground floors are constructed of rubble stone, while the upper floors are constructed of a combination of wood framing and brick.

Restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the mansion now serves as an Ethnography Museum. The ground floor houses a gallery showcasing Sinop and Boyabat houses, a kitchen, and a village hall. The first floor displays jewelry, swords, and weaving looms used in Sinop and the surrounding region.

On the second floor, Ottoman mansion life is portrayed in a large hall, four rooms symmetrically planned around it, and three iwans.

Alaaddin Mosque

According to the inscriptions in the foundation records that belong to the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat, it is thought that the Alaeddin Mosque was built immediately after the Seljuk State conquered Sinop in 1214.

The building, which resembles an early mosque with its transverse plan and large courtyard, underwent various renovations throughout the Ottoman period. The mosque's marble mihrab bears intricate Seljuk-style decorations.

Pervane Madrasa

The Pervane Madrasa is located across from the northern entrance to the Alaaddin Mosque courtyard. It was built by the Seljuk Vizier Muinüddin Süleyman Pervane to commemorate the second conquest of the city in 1262. The two-iwan, open-courtyard madrasa is now used for cultural and tourism purposes.

Inside, there is a bazaar with shops selling handicrafts and local products specific to Sinop.

Additionally, there are cafes and restaurants in the open courtyard of the madrasah.

Sinop Castle

The origins of Sinope Castle date back to the 7th century BC. It is believed to have been built by Miletus colonists to defend the city. During the Pontic Kingdom, particularly during the reign of King Mithridates IV, the castle walls were repaired and the city was surrounded by walls.

The castle, which later underwent various repairs during the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Candaroğulları (Isfendiyaroğulları) and Ottoman periods, was strengthened for defensive purposes and had structural additions.

Sinop's city walls completely enclose the narrowest part of the peninsula. In his "Travel Book," Evliya Çelebi mentions the castle's Kumkapı, Tersanekapı, Yenice Gate, Tabakhane Gate, Guild Gate, and Deniz Gate. Only Kumkapı and Guild Gate remain standing.

Historical Yalı Cafe

The Historical Yalı Kahvesi, which has been used for various purposes since 1902, has been serving as a cafe for many years.

Yalı Kahvesi, one of the oldest and most scenic places in the city, was once a popular stop for sailors and travelers, thanks to its location overlooking the Black Sea.

Historic Sinop Prison

Known as the "Alcatraz of Anatolia," the historic Sinop Prison was used as a prison until 1999 and was later converted into a museum.

After the conquest of Sinop by the Anatolian Seljuks in 1214, an inner castle was built by the order of Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus.

The inner castle, which also served as a shipyard, was used as such for a long time, starting in the Seljuk period. Its bastions served as prisons from 1560 onwards.

The main building of the structure, built as a modern prison, was built in 1887 during the reign of Governor Veysel Pasha. Many literary and political figures, including Sabahattin Ali, Refik Halit Karay, Mustafa Suphi, Burhan Felek, and Zekeriya Sertel, were imprisoned here.

Sinop Prison is also known to have had a significant influence on literature and poetry. Sabahattin Ali's poem "Don't Mind the Heart" bears strong traces of the period. Restored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with support from the European Union, the Sinop Historical Prison and Museum welcomes visitors.

Hamsilos Nature Park

Hamsilos Bay, one of the best examples of the ria-type coastal formation in the Black Sea, where the sea that gives its name to the park enters the land like a river, is known among the public as Hamsaroz.

The park, a natural wonder that hosts two uniquely beautiful natural harbors such as Akliman Bay, marshes, dunes, sea and forest areas, and rich biodiversity, is located 14 kilometers from the city center and on the Inceburun extension.

Within the nature park, you can also see the harbor dating back to ancient times, the graves of ancient sailors, and the Women's Bath, believed to be the area where Amazon women bathed.

The area, which was registered as a recreation area in 1987 and later given the status of a nature park, has picnic areas, observation terraces and walking paths.

İnceburun Lighthouse

İnceburun Lighthouse, located in the İnceburun district of Sinop, has been in active service since 1863. The Çilesiz family has maintained the lighthouse for five centuries. Considered the northernmost point in Türkiye, İnceburun is located 20 kilometers from the center of Sinop.

İnceburun, surrounded by forests, is also a protected area for animals such as deer, pheasant and roe deer.

Visitors can watch the sun set over the sea from the observation terraces created around the lighthouse in İnceburun.

Erfelek Tatlıca Waterfalls

Tatlıca Waterfalls are located near Tatlıca Village in the Erfelek district of Sinop. The area is also known as the Tatlıca Waterfalls Set.

The valley is home to 28 waterfalls of various sizes. A hiking trail runs through beech forests along the narrow, 2-kilometer-long valley, along the waterfalls.

Two water mills, dating back 100 years, located on the edge of the valley are also used as resting places.

The facility, which is in an area suitable for nature activities such as bird watching and photography, has wooden walking paths, observation terraces, a country coffee house, a buffet and children's playgrounds.

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