Sinop’s oldest structure. The first walls were built by Milesian sailors in the 7th century BC; most of what stands today dates from King Mithridates of Pontus.

The north wall is 800 m long, the east wall 500 m; in places the stone is 3 m thick. On UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List since 2013.

From the towers you see the harbour, the shipyard and the whole peninsula at once; best just before sunset.

A prison from 1887 to 1999. Sea on three sides and high walls — hence “the Alcatraz of Anatolia”.

Sabahattin Ali was held here in 1933 and wrote his poem “Aldırma Gönül” in these wards.

After a 2020–2025 restoration it reopened as a museum in September 2025; the cells, reconstructions and Sabahattin Ali’s cell are open to visitors.

A bay where the sea cuts a narrow, deep channel into the land — known as “Turkey’s only fjord”. A nature park since 2007.

Pine forest, beach and still water side by side; the path around the bay takes about half an hour.

11 km further north is İnceburun, Turkey’s northernmost point, with its lighthouse from 1863.

Twenty-eight waterfalls in a row along a narrow valley in beech forest.

The wooden walkway is about 1 km with plenty of steps; allow 2 hours. The valley stays cool even in summer.

45 km from Sinop. Wear comfortable shoes; mornings are quieter.

Sinop’s own mantı: thin dough, larger pieces, served with walnuts.

Garlic yoghurt on one side of the plate, crushed walnuts on the other, melted butter on top.

A registered geographical indication. Few places make it the traditional way — ask around.

Right on the fishing harbour, at the water’s edge; one of Sinop’s oldest coffee houses.

Run by the Koca family until 1962 to help fund the repair of Hacı Ömer Mosque, then passed to the brothers Makaracı Mehmet and Edip Konaklı — locals still call it “Makaracı’s place”.

Renovated in 2024: the same sea view, now more comfortable. Tables face the water — sit in the morning as the boats come in.

On a 135-metre rock above the Gökırmak Valley; every era from the Paphlagonians to the Ottomans added to it.

3 km from the town centre; the whole valley is visible from the top.

98 km from Sinop — allow more than half a day for the drive and the visit.