Amasya is a historic city and province in north-central Turkey, set in a dramatic gorge on the Yeşilırmak river beneath the rocky heights of Mount Harşena. Known as the Şehzadeler Şehri, or City of Princes, where Ottoman heirs trained as provincial governors, Amasya is famous for its Pontic royal rock tombs carved into the cliffs, its riverside Ottoman timber mansions, and its sweet apples. The birthplace of the ancient geographer Strabo, it blends Hellenistic, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman heritage in one of Turkey's most scenic provincial towns.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Amasya.
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Yeşilırmak Riverfront (Amasya city centre)
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Borabay Lake and the Taşova uplands
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Suluova plain and Yedikır reservoir
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Thermal spring centres (Gözlek, Terziköy, Hamamözü)
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- Day-use restaurant and buffet
- Picnic tables and fountains
- Walking and nature trails
- Kayak and pedalo use in season
- Children's play area and parking
Borabay Lake Recreation Area
A tranquil natural landslide lake set among pine and beech forest at about 1,050 m elevation in the Taşova district, declared a nature park in 2014. The calm, clear water and shaded shores make it the most popular waterside escape in Amasya Province, used for picnicking, lakeside walks, kayaking and paddling in the warm shallows during summer. A day-use restaurant, picnic tables, walking trails and a children's play area serve visitors.
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- Riverside promenades and walkways
- Tea gardens and cafes
- Shaded benches and picnic spots
- Boat and pedalo trips in season
- Evening illumination of the old town
Yeşilırmak Riverfront Recreation Areas
The Yeşilırmak flows through the heart of Amasya beneath the floodlit Ottoman houses, the citadel and the rock-cut Pontic royal tombs, and its banks are lined with shaded promenades, tea gardens and small recreation areas. While the river is for strolling, paddling and riverside relaxation rather than open swimming, it is the central focus of warm-weather leisure in the city, especially attractive in the evening when the historic skyline is illuminated.
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- Picnic and recreation area
- Birdwatching shores
- Open water and reedbeds
- Parking by the lakeside
- No formal swimming facilities
Yedikır Dam Lake (Yedikuğular Bird Sanctuary)
Yedikır Dam Lake on the Suluova plain is a broad reservoir on a major migratory bird route, home to dozens of waterbird species and locally known as the Yedikuğular (Seven Swans) bird sanctuary. The shores are used as a picnic and recreation area with calm open water, making it a peaceful spot for waterside relaxation, photography and birdwatching rather than organised swimming.
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- Indoor and outdoor thermal pools
- Spa hotel with treatments
- Changing rooms and showers
- Restaurant and cafe
- Parking
Gözlek Thermal Pools
Gözlek is the closest thermal centre to Amasya, about 20 km from the city, with mineral water emerging at around 38-40°C and feeding indoor and outdoor pools at a modern thermal hotel. It is the easiest year-round place to bathe near Amasya, popular for warm-water swimming and spa treatments, and a convenient half-day escape combining a soak with the open Çorum-road countryside.
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- Indoor and outdoor thermal pools
- Traditional bathhouse and spa
- Accommodation on site
- Changing rooms and showers
- Cafe and parking
Terziköy Thermal Pools
The Terziköy thermal springs, about 36 km south of Amasya, are among the province's best-known healing waters, with mineral-rich hot water feeding pools and bathhouses at a spa complex set in rolling countryside. Long used for soaking and traditional therapies, the indoor and outdoor pools draw bathers year-round and make a relaxed warm-water alternative to swimming, with accommodation for those wanting to stay over.
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- Indoor and outdoor thermal pools
- Spa hotels and accommodation
- Traditional bath
- Changing rooms and showers
- Restaurant and parking
Hamamözü Arkut Bey Thermal Pools
The Arkut Bey thermal springs at Hamamözü, about 90 km west of Amasya, have been used for bathing since antiquity and take their name from a Seljuk-era lord. Set in a green upland valley, the modern thermal hotels draw on mineral-rich waters traditionally valued for easing rheumatic and skin complaints, with indoor and outdoor pools open through the colder months. It is a relaxing rural spa destination and the most distant of the province's main bathing centres.
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- Long sandy Blue Flag beach
- Sunbeds and beach cafes
- Showers and changing facilities
- Seafront promenade
- Watersports in summer
Atakum Beach, Samsun (Black Sea)
For genuine sea swimming, the nearest real beach to Amasya is Atakum on the Black Sea coast at Samsun, about 130 km north and reachable in under two hours. This long, broad sandy Blue Flag beach with shallow water and a lively promenade is the most popular coastal escape for inland residents, making an easy summer day trip from Amasya for those wanting open-sea bathing rather than river or thermal pools.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Amasya memorable.
Thermal bathing
Lakeside picnicking and walking
Kayaking and paddling
Birdwatching
Riverside leisure
Sea swimming day trip
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Costs to budget
Thermal-pool day use runs roughly ₺150-400 (about USD 3-9); lake and river recreation areas are usually free or charge only a small parking fee.
Overview
Bathing around Amasya means thermal pools, upland lakes and river recreation rather than the sea, so plan trips by car or taxi and bring your own swimwear and towel. The warm season for lakes and rivers is roughly May to September, while thermal centres stay open all year.
What To Bring
Swimwear, towel and flip-flops for thermal pools, Sun protection and a hat for exposed lake and reservoir shores, A warm layer for the cool upland air at Borabay and Hamamözü, Cash in small lira for entry fees, dolmuş and taxis, Water and snacks for picnic spots with limited facilities
Safety
Lakes and reservoirs have no lifeguards; open swimming is informal and at your own risk, The Yeşilırmak through the city is for paddling and riverside relaxation, not deep swimming, Check thermal-pool temperatures, which can exceed 40°C, and limit time in very hot water, Winter snow and ice can affect roads to Borabay Lake and Hamamözü
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.