Samsun

Samsun is a long sprawling city which extends along the coast towards the Kızılırmak ("Red River") delta to the west and the Yeşilırmak ("Green River") delta to the east.

In the city center and close to the seashore is the city's main square, Cumhuriyet Meydanı, north and south of which are Kazımpaşa Caddesi and Cumhuriyet Caddesi.

The city has grown fast: land has been reclaimed from the sea and many apartment blocks and shopping malls have been built. Industry is tending to move (or be moved) east, further away from the city center and towards the airport.

Samsun has a rather warm oceanic climate, like most of the eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey. Summers are warm and showery, although Samsun generally avoids the heaviest of the rainfall during this time. Transitional seasons are pleasant, while winters are cool and wet. Snow is relatively uncommon for the Black Sea coast, but can sometimes fall.

• 🌍 Samsun-Çarşamba Airport (SZF  ^IATA, Samsun Çarşamba Havaalanı), Çınarlık Bld., Girişi Pk (23 km east), ☏ +90 362 8848835. There are frequent flights from Istanbul, daily from other big Turkish cities and some international (mainly from Germany) flights in summer. The tramway does not yet reach the airport but if you do not want to pay for a taxi there are buses to the city centre and to Bafra for the Kızılırmak Delta. 

There are frequent and reasonably priced buses to Ankara and eastwards along the Black Sea coast to Trabzon and beyond.

• 🌍 Bus Station (Samsun Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz Şehirlerarası Otobüs Terminali, Samsun Otogarı), Şht. Korhan Ekiz Blv (W 5 km). Servises (shuttle buses) no longer run between the downtown offices and the bus station. The E5 is probably the best bus to the city center. There are also frequent dolmuşes from the bus station to Cumhuriyet Meydanı. (updated Oct 2020)

The Hattı train runs once a day from Sivas, which has fast trains from Ankara, and slow trains from the east of Turkey. Trains each way set off around 08:30 and take 8 hours via Amasya and Havza. One other train leaves Amasya early morning and takes 3 hours to Samsun, returning late afternoon - this is shown on the regional or Bölgesel part of TCDD timetables, while the Hattı is a mainline or Anahat train.

The first couple of hours out of Samsun are a slow scenic winding wooded climb crossing and recrossing the small Mert River.

This line was closed for years for track upgrading, with the promise of speedy journeys once the work was complete. Passenger services resumed in April 2023 but are as slow as ever; it's not clear if further work on the line is in hand to improve this.

🌍 Samsun railway station (Samsun Garı) is central, next to the harbour.

Vehicles rarely stop at the pedestrian crossings without lights.

The central seafront is very easy and pleasant to cycle along as is the Mert River, but there is no connection between the riverside and seaside cycle paths. There is also a separated bike path to Tekkeköy, but again it does not connect to any other bike path. There are private bike rental shops, mainly in Atakum. Bicycles cannot taken on a tram during peak hours (06:00-09:30 and 16:00-19:30).

There are Binbin stand up dockless scooters for rent near and along the seafront. Probably safest to stick to the seafront cycle path, but even there beware as even small faults in the surfacing can bump the tiny wheels.

• 🌍 Gazi Museum, Gazi Cd, in Mecidiye (Center). A witness to Atatürk's activities while in Samsun. The collection includes some clothes and personal paraphernalia, purportedly belonging to him. It also includes a number of old photographs and maps. 
• Samsun Museum (large and grey between Gençlik Park and Fener tramstops and the port). 8.30 to 21.00 every day (except closed until 13.00 on the first day of religious holidays). Dedicated to local history and artifacts, including the golden Amisos Treasure, which may have belonged to King Mithridates IV of Pontus more than two thousand years ago. Toilets, lockers for small bags, cafe not yet open. (updated Apr 2024)
• 🌍 City Museum, Fuar Cd, Kale Mh. Some local history including tobacco. 
• 🌍 SS Bandırma and Independence War Museum. (updated Sep 2021)
• 🌍 Cerrahi Aletler ve Sağlık Müzesi. surgical instruments and health (updated Sep 2021)
• Dönüşüm Müzesi. (updated Sep 2021)
• Şeyh Sadi Tekkesi Kuva-i Milliye Ruhu Külliyesi ile Şehit ve Gazi Anı Evi. (updated Sep 2021)
• 1071'den 15 Temmuz'a Destanlar Müzesi. (updated Sep 2021)
• Canik Toy Museum (Canik Oyuncak Müzesi). (updated Sep 2021)

Atakum Beach is long, free and sandy and has nice cafes across the small road from the beach, however there is little shade. Children and weak swimmers should beware of the variable depth, especially when there are big waves with rip currents possible, and check whether there is a rope in the sea and a lifeguard on duty.

Fener Beach is women only, has a small daily charge and is suitable for small children in that the water is shallow, it has shade and showers and is sheltered from waves. It is open 08:00-18:00 in summer. Access by public transport involves crossing a busy road, so unless you are staying at the Sheraton you may prefer to take a taxi if you have small children.

Bandırma Beach and Mert Beach are closed as of 2020.

In summer locals love to barbecue in the big parks and drink tea from samovars.

• Atatürk Park (aka Egg Park) (Central). Small and shady: with the famous statue. 
• East Park (Doğu Park) (By the sea.). A bosky park with basketball and football areas and cafes. From here you could walk up the River Mert. 
• West Park (Batı Park) (Take dolmus or tram to Baruthane). Big, with plenty of kitsch. A part of the park is dedicated to the Amazons, an all-female warrior society which according to legend formed an independent realm in the area, with associated statues and a recreation of an Amazon village. This park is also by the sea but the young saplings didn't have enough time to grow into a canopy yet. There is a cable car to Amisos Hill. 
• 🌍 Çakırlar Korusu (Take the westward tram to Üniversite stop. Walk across to the minibus station and as it is only a few minutes drive most minibuses will pass Çakırlar Korusu. Ask the driver to tell you where to get off. You will see it on the other side of the road: be careful as traffic does not stop for the crossing. To return to the city flag down any public minibus passing the main gate. Or if you have your own transport it is right next to the main road (see map by clicking blue square above) and well signed.). Small nature reserve with boardwalks over wetland forested with ash and elm. Picnic and sports area, restaurant and toilets. Free. (updated Apr 2015)

• Arts. If you are interested in arts, you will find a thing or two that you might like. There is a very large and interesting opera building with very cheap weekly shows.

• Go Karting. There is a go kart course in Batıpark (West Park)
• Fishing. The Black Sea is rich in fish varieties.
• Horse riding. There is a center just before Ondokuz Mayis University going out of town.
• Paintball. There is a paintball ground in the locality known as Körfez, somewhat far from city centre.
• Wakeboarding. In summer water skiers are towed around by an overhead circuit, near Dogupark (East Park)

• Festivals. Two festivals are celebrated annually in the city. Some competitions are held during the Bike Festival. On the other hand, concerts of popular singers are to be found during the Festival of OMÜ (Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi). Both festivals are usually celebrated around the end of June.

Not being in an earthquake zone, there are no geothermal spas in the city itself. But if you are coming from or going to Ankara or Boğazkale on your own wheels, a relaxing journey break or overnight stopover is possible in Amasya Province or Samsun Province. There are a couple of spas and some hamams clustered in the same area in the town of Havza http://havza.gov.tr/havzada-bulunan-termal-tesisler-ve-kaplica-isletmeleri

• 19 Mayis University Havza Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center (19 Mayis Üni̇versi̇tesi̇ Havza Fi̇zi̇k Tedavi̇ ve Rehabi̇li̇tasyon Merkezi̇), Havza (One and a half km up the hill from Havza station). Whilst this is used as the name suggests it is also open to the general public either staying or for a one hour ticket. Only one hamam/sauna - so women and men have different times. But separate pools - both women and men have 2 pools, one small 1.5m pool and the other smaller and sloping shallower. The women's changing room is a bit dilapidated. Of course the pools have steps suitable for infirm people. At over 30 degrees the pools may be a little too warm for some. So although no food is allowed you may want to smuggle in a few juicy oranges with your bottles of water. Top floor restaurant is only for people staying, but being in the town there are nearby small shops and eating places. 100TRY for one hour (cash not accepted). (updated Jan 2024)

• Ancere Termal Hotel, Havza. (updated Jan 2024)

• 🌍 Hilas Geothermal Spa, in the hamlet of Hamamayağı (3 km from the Samsun-Ankara road around Ladik; also 5 km from tiny Bekdiğin station, but if travelling by train, you may prefer the greater choice of spas in Havza or Amasya), ☏ +90 362 606 04 57. at Hilas, with a modern small 1.4 m–deep pool for men and another for women, both with adjacent tiny 0.5 m kids pools. Pool temperature is under 28 °C (82 °F) so low enough for slow swimming, and there are steps for easy access. Massage or scrub (kese) can be booked. In summer, there is an outdoor aquapark with separate slides for adults and children. There is a mescid, 2 Zes brand chargers for electric cars and a large garden with picnic tables. (updated Mar 2023)

You can "couchsurf" or there are plenty of small hotels near Ataturk Park (get off your bus or tram at Cumhuriyet Meydan). Or try the "öğretmenevi".

• 🌍 Hotel Serra (Serra Otel), Liman Mah. Rıhtım Bulv. No:3 (next to the port entrance), ☏ +90 444 70 93, info@serraotel.com.tr. A favourite with sportspeople. (updated Nov 2017)

Sheraton or Hotel Amisos.

• Wi-Fi at the airport is slower than the local tortoises.