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.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
Emin Efendi Konaklari, Amasya
Amasya's flagship boutique konak across several restored Ottoman mansions on the Yesilirmak waterfront, with carved-wood interiors and an acclaimed riverside restaurant overlooking the Bayezid II Mosque and the rock tombs.
Hamamozu Termal Otel, Hamamozu
The province's leading thermal spa resort, built around a 2,000 square-metre enclosed hot-spring pool complex with a spa centre, two restaurants, and balcony rooms, 70 km west of the city.
Yorguc Pasa Konagi Apart Otel, Amasya
An Ottoman-style apart hotel near the Archaeological Museum with spacious self-catering konak suites and kitchenettes, ideal for private and longer stays in the centre.
The Apple Palace, Amasya
A 96-room resort-style hotel with the area's leading leisure facilities, including an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and sauna alongside a restaurant and bar, on the edge of the city.
Vanna Deluxe Termal Hotel Spa, Hamamozu
A 117-room thermal hotel and spa in Hamamozu drawing on the village hot springs, with a wellness centre, hot tub, terrace, and garden, and a restaurant serving local cuisine.
Grand Harsena Otel, Amasya
A 21-room full-service old-town hotel with a garden, restaurant, room service, and free private parking, offering more facilities than the small konaks while staying central near the riverfront.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Emin Efendi Restaurant
The restaurant of the Emin Efendi konak prepares traditional Amasya recipes including grilled meats, kebabs, and regional stews, served in restored Ottoman rooms with windows over the Bayezid II Complex and the Yesilirmak. Reserve via the konak on +90 358 212 0852.
Ali Kaya Restaurant
Set high on Amasya's southern cliff with the best panorama in the city, Ali Kaya is known for Tokat kebab, grilled meats, lamb skewers, and sac kavurma, served on terraces overlooking the floodlit river, rock tombs, and old town.
Strabon Restaurant
A relaxed riverside restaurant and cafe on the banks of the Yesilirmak serving Turkish grills, meze, and regional dishes, with waterfront tables and views of the timber Ottoman houses along the opposite bank.
Yaliboyu Konak Terraces
Restored konaks along Hazeranlar Sokak run terrace restaurants serving Amasya specialities such as keskek, toyga soup, and local apple desserts, with riverside tables beneath the illuminated cliff tombs after dark.
Exclusive experiences
Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Private Historian-Led Tour of Amasya
A private licensed guide leads a walking tour of the Pontic rock-cut royal tombs, Harşena Castle, Bayezid II Mosque, Hazeranlar Mansion, and the Sabuncuoğlu medical history museum, unpacking 7,500 years of Hittite, Pontic, and Ottoman history at the traveller's own pace.
Pontic Rock Tombs and Citadel at Sunset
A private guided late-afternoon climb to the royal rock tombs carved into the cliff face, continuing up to Harşena Castle for sweeping sunset views over the Yeşilırmak valley, with the floodlit tombs and Ottoman mansions below after dark — Amasya's signature visual experience.
Yeşilırmak River Gondola at Dusk
A private gondola or boat ride along the Yeşilırmak as the city lights come on at sunset, drifting past the Ottoman Yalıboyu mansions, historic bridges, and beneath the illuminated cliff tombs — the most atmospheric way to see the old town at the golden hour.
Amasya Apple Orchard and Culinary Experience
A private visit to the Misket apple orchards along the Yeşilırmak valley, paired with a regional tasting including local apple jam, apple vinegar, fresh keşkek, and Amasya çöreği, tailored to a small group or couple in the harvest season (August-November).
Hattusa Hittite UNESCO Day Trip (Private Driver-Guide)
A private car and guide excursion to the Hittite capital Hattusa at Boğazkale (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the 13th-century BC Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary, and Alacahöyük, about 130-180 km south of Amasya. The region's outstanding ancient site, impossible by public transport in a day.
Spas & wellness
World-class spa retreats and treatments.
Hamamözü Termal Otel Spa
The province's leading thermal spa, built around a 2,000 square-metre enclosed hot-spring pool complex with jacuzzi bays and hydrotherapy steps, plus massage and body-treatment rooms. Set 70 km west of the city in the hot-spring village of Hamamözü, with a two-restaurant hotel for an overnight stay.
Vanna Deluxe Termal Hotel Spa
A thermal spa and wellness centre in Hamamözü drawing on the village's natural hot springs, with an indoor thermal pool, hot tub, steam room, and treatment rooms. The 117-room hotel includes a restaurant and garden, making it a full-day or overnight spa retreat from the city.
The Apple Palace Wellness Centre
The closest spa facility to the city centre, with a sauna and fitness centre at Amasya's largest leisure hotel, 4 km from the old town. Outdoor pool in summer. Less therapeutic than the Hamamözü thermal resorts but the most convenient in-city option for a sauna and swim.
Yıldız Hamamı (historic Turkish bath)
An authentic Ottoman hammam in the city centre offering the classic Turkish bath sequence — warm marble slab, steam, exfoliating kese scrub, and soap massage — in a traditional domed bath house, giving the city's most culturally immersive spa experience.
Luxury transport
Travel in style.
- Overview
- Amasya's compact old town is best explored on foot, but the nearest airport (Merzifon Amasya MZH, about 40-47 km northwest) and the thermal spring resorts 70 km west mean the principal luxury transport need is comfortable private transfers and chauffeured day-trip vehicles. A premium sedan or VIP van removes the complexity of the airport run and makes the province's best sites — Hattusa, Borabay Lake, Hamamözü — accessible without public-transport constraints.