Samsun holds a unique place in Turkish history: on 19 May 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stepped ashore here from the steamship Bandırma, launching the resistance movement that would create the Turkish Republic. The date — National Youth and Sports Day — is a national holiday, and Samsun's Atatürk Museum and the replica Bandırma ship at the harbour commemorate the moment.
As the Black Sea's largest city, Samsun has a long waterfront promenade, a tram, active port trade and access to the Kızılırmak delta — one of Turkey's most important wetland bird habitats.
Known for: Atatürk's 19 May landing · Black Sea coast · Bandırma steam ship · Amisos (Amiseia) ancient city · Kızılırmak delta
- Region
- Black Sea
- Famous for
- Atatürk's 1919 landing
- Best seasons
- Jun–Sep
- Historic
- Start of Independence War
Samsun on the live map
Explore Samsun and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Samsun is known for
The Atatürk and Ethnography Museum (in the house where Atatürk stayed) and the Bandırma Ship Museum at the harbour are the principal historic sites. The city's seafront and tram make it pleasant to walk; the nearby Kızılırmak delta at Bafra is a prime birdwatching destination, especially for pelicans and spoonbills.
- Atatürk Museum & Bandırma ship — start of the independence story.
- 19 May National Day celebrations.
- Kızılırmak delta — wetland bird sanctuary.
- Black Sea seafront tram and promenade.
Getting around
Samsun has an airport with domestic flights. The city tram runs along the seafront. The Kızılırmak delta is 60 km west; a car is needed.
On the platform
Samsun 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 Samsun
1The 19 May 1919 landing of Atatürk that launched the Turkish Independence War — Samsun's Atatürk Museum and the Bandırma ship replica mark the historic moment.