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 day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Samsun and the Black Sea Coast
Samsun is the largest city on Turkey's central Black Sea coast and an easy day trip north from Amasya, offering Blue Flag beaches at Atakum, a long seafront promenade and key sites of modern Turkish history including the Bandırma Ferry Museum, where Atatürk landed in 1919 to begin the War of Independence. The broad sandy Atakum beach and cooler coastal air make a refreshing contrast to inland Amasya in summer.
Highlights: Bandırma Ferry Museum: full-scale replica of the ship that brought Atatürk to Samsun in May 1919 · Atakum beach: several kilometres of Blue Flag sand backed by a seafront promenade and café strip · Atatürk Museum: period documents and photographs charting the Turkish War of Independence · Fresh Black Sea fish restaurants along the Atakum waterfront · Samsun Archaeological Museum with finds from ancient Black Sea coastal settlements
Hattusa and Boğazkale Hittite Capital
Hattusa, near the village of Boğazkale in Çorum Province, was the capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1986. The sprawling ruins spread over a hillside of monumental city walls, the Lion Gate, the Sphinx Gate and the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya with its carved relief processions of gods. It is a long but rewarding full-day archaeological excursion best done by car, ideally paired with the nearby Hittite site of Alacahöyük.
Highlights: Lion Gate and Sphinx Gate: massive ceremonial Hittite gates set in the monumental upper-city walls · Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary: open-air gallery of Hittite deity reliefs carved into natural limestone · Büyükkale citadel: royal palace compound with panoramic views over the Hittite city · Great Temple of the Storm God with visible storage chambers in the lower city · UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986) — capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire
Tokat City and Castle
Tokat is a historic central Anatolian city southeast of Amasya, crowned by a rocky hilltop castle with 28 towers dating from Roman and Byzantine times and looking out over the old town. Its highlights include the 13th-century Seljuk Gök Medrese, now the Tokat Museum, atmospheric Ottoman houses and a bazaar known for hand-printed Tokat yazma textiles. The trip pairs naturally with the dramatic Ballıca Cave a short drive away.
Highlights: Gök Medrese (1277): ornate Seljuk theological college with carved portal, now the Tokat Museum · Medieval hilltop castle on a rocky ridge with views over the Ottoman old town · Tokat yazma textiles: hand block-printed cottons sold directly from bazaar workshops · Tokat kebabı: slow-roasted lamb speciality served in the city's traditional lokantas · Ballıca Cave: impressive stalactite cave system about 20 km north, combinable by car
Borabay Lake Nature Park
Borabay Lake is a tranquil natural landslide lake set among forested hills at about 1,050 m elevation in the Taşova district, declared a nature park in 2014. Ringed by pine and beech woods and reflecting the surrounding slopes, it is a popular spot for picnicking, lakeside walks, kayaking and photography, with a day-use restaurant, walking trails, picnic tables and a children's play area. The cool upland setting makes it a refreshing summer escape from the valley heat of Amasya, and swimming or paddling is enjoyed in the calm shallows in warm weather.
Highlights: Natural landslide lake at 1,050 m elevation surrounded by pine and beech forest · Kayak and rowing boat hire on calm water with views of forested mountain slopes · Shaded picnic areas and a lakeshore walking trail in a cool upland setting · Day-use restaurant serving grilled dishes and tea at the water's edge · Free nature park entry with a family-friendly and uncrowded atmosphere
Hamamözü Arkut Bey Thermal Springs
The Arkut Bey thermal springs at Hamamözü, around 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 and pools draw on mineral-rich waters traditionally valued for soothing aches and rheumatic complaints. It makes a relaxing rural day trip or overnight spa break away from the city, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools open through the colder months.
Highlights: Mineral-rich thermal pools at 38–50°C, traditionally valued for rheumatic and skin conditions · Quiet upland valley setting with orchards and farmland — a peaceful contrast to Amasya's old town · Thermal hotels with day-access packages including pool use, private cabins and meals · Year-round bathing: indoor thermal pools remain open and popular through autumn and winter · Ottoman-era heritage linking the springs to the Arkut Bey family name
Merzifon Town and Kara Mustafa Paşa Complex
Merzifon is a lively market town northwest of Amasya, centred on the elegant 17th-century Kara Mustafa Paşa mosque complex built in 1666 by the powerful Ottoman grand vizier, famed for the painted decoration on its courtyard fountain. The surrounding historic bazaar, the Ulu Camii and the rock formations of the nearby Kız Kayası canyon make it an easy half-day or day trip, often combined with onward travel as Merzifon hosts Amasya's airport.
Highlights: Kara Mustafa Paşa külliye (1666): mosque, medrese, caravanserai, hamam and imaret in one compound · Painted baroque floral fountain in the mosque courtyard — a rare Ottoman decorative set piece · Compact historic bazaar with tea houses, produce stalls and the Ulu Camii · Kız Kayası eroded rock formations north of town for a short nature walk · Birthplace of Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Paşa, grand vizier of the 1683 Ottoman Siege of Vienna
Çorum and the Hittite Museum
Çorum is a provincial capital west of Amasya best known as the gateway to the Hittite heartland, with a well-regarded archaeological museum displaying finds from Hattusa, Alacahöyük and other ancient sites. The town itself offers a historic clock tower, the Ulu Camii and a reputation for leblebi (roasted chickpeas), and works well either as a half-day stop or as a base for reaching the UNESCO-listed Hittite ruins of Boğazkale.
Highlights: Çorum Museum (Hittite Museum): one of Turkey's leading Bronze Age collections with finds from Hattusa and Alacahöyük · Ceremonial deer and bull figures from Alacahöyük: iconic Bronze Age cult objects · Historic bazaar and leblebi shops selling the city's famous roasted chickpea speciality · Gateway city for day trips to Hattusa (55 km) and Alacahöyük (35 km) Hittite sites · Historic clock tower and Ulu Camii in the pedestrianised city centre
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from Amasya are limited; private guided trips to the thermal springs, Borabay Lake or the Hittite sites can be arranged through local Amasya travel agencies from around ₺3,000-5,000 (approx USD 65-108) per car
- Private
- A taxi or private driver for a full day to nearby thermal springs or Borabay Lake costs roughly ₺2,500-4,500 (approx USD 54-97) including waiting time; negotiate the fare in advance
- Public
- Intercity coaches and dolmuş from Amasya otogar serve Samsun, Tokat, Çorum and Merzifon frequently; check obilet.com or operator apps for times
- Rental
- Car rental from about ₺1,200/day (approx USD 26) is the most flexible option for the springs, lakes and Hittite sites, which public transport reaches poorly
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Reach the thermal springs, Borabay Lake and Hittite sites by rental car or a negotiated taxi, as public transport serves them poorly
Book intercity coaches to Samsun, Tokat and Çorum ahead on obilet.com or operator apps, especially at weekends
Hattusa is a long full day - start early and combine it with the nearby Alacahöyük Hittite site
Borabay Lake and Hamamözü sit at higher, cooler elevations; bring a layer even in summer and check winter road conditions
Dolmuş minibuses make Merzifon and Suluova quick and cheap half-day trips from Amasya otogar