Amasra to Sinop: This May Be One of the World’s Most Scenic Drives

The approximately 320-kilometer (199-mile) drive from Amasra to Sinop is one of the world’s most beautiful drives that winds around the rocky hills and perfectly blue sea. You won’t ever have to worry about traffic on these roads because your only concern will probably be seeing as much of the beautiful view as possible. You can choose to rent a car and do the drive at your own pace, or you can use the public transportation services between all the small towns and villages that sit along the Amasra-to-Sinop route. Even though the roads are very good, the whole drive can last about seven hours, and if you make stops along the way (which you should), it could definitely take more than a day.

If you’re into camping, then the village of Çakraz is a great stop to set up your tent and enjoy the natural landscape as well as taking a well-deserved dip in the sea at the beautiful beach. The small town of Kuruçaşile also has some small hotels and pensions where you can spend the night and also spend some relaxing hours at the beach. If you’re looking for something a bit more remote, check out the village of Kapısuyu, where you’ll find nothing but an empty beach with calm waters (also a great camping spot) or Gideros, an absolutely heavenly cove surrounded by pine forest-covered hills. It’s also here that you’ll find a few great local seafood restaurants where you can try some of the fresh fish while the sun sets upon the gorgeous landscape.

Just three hours before Sinop, you can take a break at Inebolu to check out the beautiful old Ottoman houses in the town center and the seafront promenade where you’ll find plenty to eat at one of the lively restaurants. Inebolu also has a few hotels if you want to spend the night and continue the drive in the morning. The village of Çatalzeytin has an amazing beach if you want to go for a swim, and when you get to Ayancık, make sure to take the more scenic northern route to Sinop, which is around 58 kilometers (36 miles).

If you’re traveling by minibus, the journey will begin in the beautiful coastal town of Amasra (check out our article for all the details) and go to Cide. You’ll be riding a dolmuş (a minibus used by locals to drive from town to town), so be prepared for a pretty bumpy and fast ride. However, the fantastic views all around will be very much worth the bit of discomfort, so make sure you sit next to the window to get some lovely photos. You’ll arrive in Cide, where you can spend the night at one of the few charming seafront pensions and dine at one of the fresh seafood restaurants, or you can choose to continue to Inebolu if you’re not in the mood for a break. From here, you’ll have to catch a bus to Türkeli; however, these buses don’t run very frequently, so be prepared to spend the night in Inebolu (book a room at one of the many hotels in advance).

The next day, the dolmuş will continue to Türkeli and then directly to Sinop (you may have to wait an hour or so for the next bus, but that will be enough time to explore the small village). After around two hours, you’ll arrive in Sinop, a city known for the beautiful Tatlıca Waterfalls as well as the historic Sinop Jail.