Travelled: 755 klms over 3 days from Instanbul to Inebolu, via Akcakoca, Safranbolu and Amasra.
Visited: The above villages
Stayed: First night,ย Beach Campsite east of Akcakoca, TL15 usual services, no power, N41.09706, E31.21259 ., Second night,ย Otopark Amasra, TL10, toilet no services N41.74802, E32.38214., Third night,ย Beach Campsite Inebolu, free with toilet, no water, N41.97744, E33.75063
Simpler and hopefully more interesting for anyone reading this blog is to condense this part of our travels into a single blog. It’s not that the Black Sea coast of Turkey is not interesting but it’s more about the wild coastline, tiny villages clinging to hills and the hundreds of mosques we passed during our drive.
Akçakoca/Düzce, Turkey
We escape Istanbul with relative ease, slipping across the Bosphorus on the motorway. The Turkish freeway system is really pretty good at least dual carriageway often with a third on the hills. The vignette toll system a mystery but we keep getting green lights, so we presume our credit is good. An hour on the motorway later we still seem to be in greater Istanbul, the factories and medium density housing continues. At Duzce we turn off the 04 and head north, it’s good to escape the trucks, we have never seen so many trucks.
Still a dual carriageway we drive through the mountains and several tunnels driving into Akcakoca just before dusk. We get our first proper look at the Black Sea.

We sleep in a little and decide on a swim before breakfast, what’s the point of driving the Black Sea and not having a swim ? Shortly after the owner’s son arrives and demands TL20, with Pam’s finger jabbing me we offer TL15 and the deal is done. First rule in Turkey settle on a price don’t necessarily accept it.
We continue our journey east along the coast. At this stage the road is an amazing dual carriageway, it follows the coastline but well above water level perhaps by 300-500 metres. The vista is spectacular. By lunch time we pass through 33 road tunnels all relatively new, we pass several more under construction. All that more amazing as there is little here but small farming or fishing villages.
Safranbolu/Karabรผk, Turkey
Our first stop of the day is Safranbolu. Established in the 17th century as a trading town for the herb saffron, it remains a little picture box Otterman village. Tiny laneways and overhanging houses. It’s street full of little cafes, shops selling Turkish delight and other tourist stuff.



Amasra/Bartฤฑn, Turkey
So we set off looking for a sea breeze, a Black Sea breeze in this case. Ninety minutes later we drive down the mountain in Amasra. Whilst at first glance it’s a pretty little place, but it’s just bustling with people and cars and we decide to drive to the next village east and avoid the crowd.




The next day is another long scenic drive along the coast. But the road was a shocker, long section of roadworks with no work being done. Potholes big enough to make me wish I was driving someone else’s campercar.
37500 ฤฐnebolu/Kastamonu, Turkey

We’ve had enough potholes it’s time to turn south for Cappadocia!
ps: I have updated the map link if you would like to see our trip so far.
Michael and Pam
One thought on “The Black Sea Coast, Turkey. 2015 ๐น๐ท”
You guys now have a long drive in front of you if you are making straight for Cappadocia. We had 4 nights there and loved exploring the area. We missed the Black Sea area and still would love to see it – maybe next time. Don’t miss one of our favourite stops – Bodrum – we loved it. Gaye