Bartın province has one of the Black Sea coast’s most interesting geographical settings: the Bartın River cuts through the coastal Küre Mountains to the sea, creating a navigable waterway that enabled ship- building and timber trade for centuries. The river valley is lined with traditional wooden konak houses.
The province borders Kastamonu (east) and Zonguldak (west), forming part of the western Black Sea coast that has been heavily forested and relatively undeveloped compared to the eastern Black Sea (Rize, Trabzon).
- Region
- Western Black Sea / Küre Mountains
- Key town
- Amasra — Byzantine-Genoese fortress port on headland
- River
- Bartın River — navigable Black Sea tributary
- Known for
- Amasra, Bartın river valley, traditional houses, Black Sea fish
Amasra
Amasra(ancient Amastris) is one of Turkey’s most photographed coastal towns — a small historic settlement on a rocky double headland 60 km from Bartın city. The town’s Byzantine walls and Genoese castle (15th century) enclose the inner town; the waterfront promenade with traditional restaurants and the colourful fishing harbour complete the picture. The Amasra Müzesi, in the restored 5th-century Byzantine church of Ayios Stefanos, has excellent regional antiquities from the Bronze Age through Ottoman periods. The town has hotels and fish restaurants; it is heavily visited on summer weekends by Istanbulites.
Bartın River Valley
The Bartın Nehri valley contains some of the most intact traditional wooden architecture on the western Black Sea coast. The city of Bartın has well-preserved konak (mansion) streets — two-storey timber-frame houses with carved wood details, bay windows and walled gardens. The Tabakhane district is the best-preserved. The river itself was historically navigable to Amasra; traditional fishing and boat-building continue.
Küre Mountains National Park
The Küre Dağları Milli Parkıspans the Bartın-Kastamonu border, protecting one of the Black Sea coast’s most intact temperate forest ecosystems. The park contains deep canyon gorges (Ilıca Canyon), ancient beech forest, highland lakes includingUlugöl (a glacial lake at 1,360 m) and a richly varied wildlife (lynx, wolf, brown bear, golden eagle). Trail infrastructure is developing; the park entrance from the Bartın side is through Kurucaşile district.
Black Sea region in pictures
Frequently asked questions
Bartın
3By bus from Istanbul to Bartın city (4.5 hrs). From Bartın city, dolmuş runs to Amasra (60 km, 1 hr) several times daily. By car from Istanbul via Düzce and Zonguldak (4.5 hrs). No airport or train station in Bartın; Zonguldak Airport is the nearest (80 km). Most visitors come by car for flexibility.
Yes — Amasra is one of the most popular weekend destinations for Istanbul (4.5 hrs by car). Summer weekends (July–August) are very busy; accommodation fills up. Weekdays are more relaxed. The best time is May–June (before peak season) or September–October (still warm, less crowded). Amasra fish restaurants are excellent year-round.
Amasra is famous for its Black Sea fish, particularly hamsi (anchovy, October–March), istavrit (horse mackerel), lüfer (bluefish) and kalkan (turbot). The waterfront restaurants serve the day's catch; the Büyük Liman and Küçük Liman harbours have a dozen competing fish restaurants. The local speciality is 'Amasra paçangası' (fried hamsi pastry).