Things to Do in Samsun

The Bandirma Vapuru Muzesi is an open air museum including the Bandirma ship. The original changed many of its owners and landed in the hands of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The current ship even though not the original, was built to replicate the original dimensions and in 2003 was opened to the Public.

The museum consists of 6 sections including a kitchen, a bedroom, the captain’s cabin and the main exhibition hall. The wax sculptures inside the ship truly take you back in time while the historic photos, facts and simply walking on the ship’s deck, completes the experience.

Other highlight includes:

• National Liberation Monument
• National Struggle Park
• Samsunlu martyrs plate

The Piazza Avm shopping mall offers shopping, entertainment and food for urban-life lovers! The mall is located in the downtown area and is one of the premier places to shop for branded products or simply drop by for a meal. The proximity to the Black sea is one of the highlights of the place while the events held here including Luxury car raffles, educational games for kids, collecting used books and the famous Wheel of Fortune with Ali Tinaz, are popular crowd pullers!

Located in Ataturk Park, the Onur Aniti Monument (Monument of Honor) consists of a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk riding a horse. The bronze statue is placed on a marble pedestal and reaches a height of 29 feet.

The Qaeda (marble pedestal) contains bronze plates embossed to tell the story of Mustafa Kemal along with other depictions that portray the Samsun Liberation War and its independence. The statue itself pays tribute to one of the most iconic public figures of the 20th century in Turkey.

The statue of Amazon takes center stage at the Bati park and is dedicated to the mythical warriors who were the archenemies of Greek.

Stories of some of the most prominent Greek figures including Hercules mention the need to prove their mettle by fighting a powerful Amazon warrior Queen! Many interpretations and stories encircle the Amazon women warriors including their utter self reliance and fierce personalities. The statue portrays the name ferocity and sheer dominance of the Amazons’ queen and is worth a small pit-stop when in Samsun.

The Amisos Mezarlari Cemetery is located in the Bati Park and you can reach here by taking a cable car from the west park. The Amisos hill is an archeological treasure and the Mezarlari is where the Amisos family grave is still preserved. The tombs are believed to be of a prominent ruling figure of the kingdom of Pontus (maybe a King) along with the tomb of his wife and daughter.

Take a walk around the park later after you see the tombs.

Opened in the 1940’s the Gazi Museum is accommodated in the Mantika Palas Hotel built by architect Jean lonnis Mantika. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – an iconic public figure used to stay at the hotel every time he came to the city and after his death, the museum was set to open its doors to showcase Turkey’s history, courageous stories and facts in the form of phots, documents and personal belongings and the bedroom of Ataturk among other items.

The Sahinkaya Canyon on Altinkaya Dam is a rare sight for tourists and locals alike and as you sail the silent river, you are left speechless with the sights of the mountains that rise above the water. The local tour operators make sure you cover the popular spots in the canyon itself or you can make this a private boating trip as you explore one of the serenest spots around Samsun.

See the rich history of Samsun take form in historical facts, exhibits and art as you explore the Samsun Kent Muzesi. The building itself is quiet a sight after dark while a walk here during the day is perfect to kic- start your visit in the city and know a little about its culture, traditions, craft-making, development and historical artefacts including old cameras, stamps and life-sized residential rooms with true-to-time objects.

Celebrating the Anatolian architecture and design while still being one of the most loved cultural and public spaces in the city, the Samsun Bulvar AVM- Shopping Mall offers a range of shops that surround a narrow street.

Christmas decks up the whole area into warm lights and with restaurants that offer delicious local food, a visit here is a must for lunch! Don’t forget to buy gifts for loved ones’ back home when you visit the place.

A bird sanctuary at its best, the Kus Cenneti is where you can see nearly 70% of the total bird species in the country! See colorful birds take to the skies and nestle on the trees that surround the lake. A walk around is promising if you are travelling with a camera and love photography while nature lovers can indulge in the less-crowded, serene ambience of the place.

Try to spot the at least a few of the 340 kind of birds seen here- around 15 of which are on the brink of extinction.

Winters transforms Samsun to a snowy heaven and the Ladik-Akdag Kis Turizm Merkezi is just what you need to put on your skiing gear and feel one with the snow!

The place has a natural ice rink and a ski resort that is perfect to get the adrenaline rush during winters. Springs are known to transform the place into an adventure spot to try paragliding and kite flying. The view of Samsun city from here, is a highlight in itself.

Located around 40 kilometers from Samsun city, the Kabaceviz Waterfalls are what fairy tales are made of! Wide but gentle waterfalls that find their way through an electric painting of lush green trees, small cliff sections and mangroves and mini-caves that play hide and seek with visitors, and you have one of the most lovely sights in Samsun waiting to be explored.

Have a picnic by the waterfall as you soak your feet in the water and relax with the soothing tunes all around!

Located near the Black Sea, the Bati Park is one of the most loved green spaces in Samsun. The shimmering sea overlooks a vast expanse of green grass, larger than life sculptures and wide open spaces, make sure you fall in love with the tranquility and the calm that embraces the place.

The statue of Amazon and the Amisos Mezarlari are placed here and add to its beauty. Carry a small picnic basket with you to unwind with a hearty meal here.

Located around 90 kilometers away, the Ladik Golu is a picturesque place with mountains that surround the water and people fishing for fresh-water lobsters and fishes on small boats that sail through it.

The gorgeous lake is a pleasure for picnic lovers while the migrating season is the peak season for bird watchers. Species of Alaca Balikcill, Erguvani Heron, Black Stork, Uzunbacak, Kizkusu, Silver Marti, Sumru, Kaya Guvercini, and Red-backed Shrik are known to be spotted here among other birds. Carry your camera to capture the birds and the soulful view all around.

The Yesilyurt Shopping Center accommodated 70 stores, 7 cinema salons and a number of restaurants and eateries and is one of the biggest shopping malls in the city. Shop for retail products- from fashion, accessories to bags and lifestyle products and end the day with a meal at one of the restaurants in the mall.

The view of the Black sea from the mall’s dining area is a must-see while a walk at the beach later is perfect to wrap up the day.