Best things to do in Amasya

Amasya Merkez Essentials

Amasya is defined by its dramatic setting along the Yeşilırmak River, where Harşena Mountain rises behind a row of traditional Ottoman mansions. This selection highlights the city's historical layers, from the Hellenistic rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings to 13th-century Seljuk mosques and 15th-century Ottoman medical centers. Key sites include the expansive castle ruins, the Darüşşifa where music was used for healing, and the Sultan II. Beyazıt complex, showcasing the architectural evolution of this former Ottoman princely residence.

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Amasya Castle

Situated on Mount Harşena, this fortress contains ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. It features ancient cisterns, dungeons, and the remains of a mosque and bathhouse overlooking the valley.

Pontic rock tombs

These five monumental tombs, carved directly into the limestone cliffs during the Hellenistic period, served as the resting places for the Kings of Pontus. They are accessible via stone stairways and offer panoramic views of the river.

Medicine museum

Housed in a 14th-century Ilkhanid hospital, this museum honors physician Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin. It displays historical surgical instruments and highlights early medical practices, including the use of music and water sounds for psychiatric treatment.

Hazeranlar Konağı

This 1865 Ottoman mansion is a well-preserved example of traditional civil architecture. Built over the city walls, it now functions as an ethnographic museum showcasing period furniture, clothing, and household items across its many rooms.

Minyatür Amasya Müzesi

Located within the Sultan Beyazıt II complex, this museum features a 1:150 scale model depicting Amasya as it appeared in 1914. It uses light and sound effects to simulate day and night cycles over the historic cityscape.

Michael F. Schönitzer / CC BY-SA 4.0

Büyük Aga Medrese

Büyük Ağa Medresesi or Kapı Ağa Medresesi is a historical 15th century medrese in Amasya, Turkey.

Sultan II. Beyazıt Camii Külliyesi

Commissioned in 1485, this large religious complex includes a mosque with two minarets, a medrese, a soup kitchen, and a library. The courtyard is known for its centuries-old plane trees and intricate Seljuk-influenced stonework.

Burmalı Minare Camii

Built in the 13th century during the Seljuk era, this mosque is distinguished by its unique spiral-grooved minaret. The structure features a traditional wooden ceiling and stone carvings characteristic of the period.

Bedesten Kapalı Çarşısı

A 15th-century covered bazaar built by Kapı Ağa. The structure features six domes and historically served as a center for trading valuable fabrics and jewelry; it remains a functional marketplace for local goods today.