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.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Amasya is a conservative Anatolian city; dress modestly in the bazaar, near mosques, and in residential neighbourhoods — covered shoulders and knees are expected
Remove shoes before entering mosques; an abaya or headscarf is not required for foreign women but carrying a scarf to drape over the hair is respectful
Turkish tea (çay) is the social glue of daily life; accepting an offered glass at a shop or guesthouse is polite and signals friendly intent
Avoid public displays of affection, loud behaviour, or photography of local women without asking permission
Bargaining is expected in the bazaar for carpets, textiles, and some souvenir goods, but fixed-price shops and restaurants do not negotiate
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet shopkeepers and hosts with 'Merhaba' (hello) and 'Teşekkür ederim' (thank you)
- Accept offered tea at bazaar shops — it is a gesture of welcome, not an obligation to buy
- Dress modestly when entering mosques; head coverings for women are respectful and sometimes provided at the entrance
- Try the local specialty foods: çiçek bamyası, keşkek, Amasya çöreği, and fresh Misket apples
- Carry small denomination lira for tips, small cafés, dolmuş fares, and market stalls
Don't
- Do not photograph people — especially women in traditional dress or elderly locals — without asking permission
- Do not enter a mosque during the five daily prayers (ezan) unless specifically invited to observe
- Do not raise your voice or show impatience; Turks value calm and hospitable interaction
- Do not sit with the soles of your shoes pointed at someone — this is considered impolite
- Do not attempt to eat or drink in public during Ramadan daylight hours out of respect for fasting locals
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Merhaba
Hello
mair-ha-BA
Günaydın
Good morning
goo-nai-DUN
İyi akşamlar
Good evening
ee-YEE ak-sham-LAR
Teşekkür ederim
Thank you
teh-shek-KUER eh-deh-RIM
Lütfen
Please
luet-FEN
Evet / Hayır
Yes / No
eh-VET / hai-IUR
Ne kadar?
How much?
neh kah-DAR
Hesap lütfen
The bill, please
heh-SAP luet-fen
Afedersiniz
Excuse me / I'm sorry
ah-feh-dair-si-NIZ
Afiyet olsun
Enjoy your meal / bon appétit
ah-fi-YET ol-sun
Su / Çay / Kahve
Water / Tea / Coffee
soo / chai / kah-VEH
Tuvaletler nerede?
Where are the toilets?
too-va-LET-lair neh-reh-DEH
Yardım edin!
Help! (emergency)
yar-DIM eh-DIN
İyi geceler
Good night
ee-YEE geh-jeh-LAIR
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Amasya.
Overview: Amasya is predominantly Sunni Muslim. Islam is woven into daily life — the ezan (call to prayer) is heard five times a day, and the city's Ottoman legacy has left many beautiful working mosques. The Sultan Bayezid II Mosque and Külliye (1486) is the city's grandest religious monument. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome to enter mosques outside of prayer times with modest dress.
Items:
- Site
- Sultan Bayezid II Mosque and Külliye
- Note
- Amasya's principal mosque, still in active use. Visitors welcome outside prayer times. Shoes off, no shorts, women should cover hair. Courtyard open all day.
- Site
- Gök Medrese Camii (Blue Seminary Mosque)
- Note
- A Seljuk mosque and seminary from 1266; the Mongol-era tile portal is architecturally significant. Open to visitors between prayers.
- Site
- Fethiye Mosque
- Note
- A converted Byzantine/Ilkhanid building repurposed as a mosque; historically layered. Open to visitors outside prayer times.
- Site
- Prayer schedules
- Note
- The five daily prayers (sabah, öğle, ikindi, akşam, yatsı) vary by season. The call to prayer can be heard clearly across the river gorge and is a sonic landmark of the city.