Amasya is widely considered one of Turkey's most beautiful small cities. The Yeşilırmak (Green River) flows through a gorge flanked by Ottoman mansions reflected in the water, while above them, the rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings glow amber at night — a view almost unchanged for 2,000 years.
The city was the training ground for Ottoman princes — each governor-in-training ruled from here before Constantinople — leaving a rich legacy of mosques, madrasas and hans. Amasya apples (a small, sweet variety) are the province's famous produce.
Known for: Pontic royal rock tombs · Ottoman riverside houses · Amasya apples · Hazeranlar Mansion · Ancient capital
- Region
- Black Sea / Central
- Famous for
- Rock tombs & Ottoman houses
- Best seasons
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Produce
- Amasya apples
Amasya on the live map
Explore Amasya and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Amasya is known for
The five Pontic royal rock tombs carved 1,200 years before the Common Era are the defining sight, best seen at night when lit. The riverside Ottoman mansion district (Hatuniye quarter) is lined with yalıs restored as boutique hotels. The Hazeranlar Mansion is the finest example, now a museum of Ottoman domestic life.
- Pontic royal rock tombs — cliff-carved, 2nd century BCE.
- Ottoman riverside mansions — Hazeranlar Mansion museum.
- Amasya Castle — Byzantine fortress above the gorge.
- Amasya apples — sweet small variety, harvested in autumn.
Getting around
Amasya is 3.5 hours from Ankara, 2 hours from Samsun by bus. The old town and tomb area are walkable — the tombs are a 10-minute walk from the riverside mansions.
On the platform
Amasya is joining Türkiye Gez as we expand into a Turkey-wide city intelligence platform. This guide is the launch foundation — live transport data, an interactive map and deeper neighborhood content roll out city by city, on the same architecture that powers Istanbul today.
Frequently asked questions
About Amasya
2The Pontic rock-cut royal tombs above the river, the street of Ottoman timber mansions reflected in the Yeşilırmak, and as the training capital for Ottoman princes.
April–June (apple blossom and mild weather) or September–October (apple harvest and golden light) — the rock tombs are lit at night year-round.