Essentials
- City
- Amasra, Bartın Province, Black Sea Region, Turkey
- Population
- 6,600 (Town center), approx. 15,000 including outskirts
- Internet Speed
- 25-50 Mbps average (TurkTelekom fiber available in some areas)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 42.50 TRY (March 2026 estimate), Ziraat Bankası and İş Bankası are main branches
- Tap Water
- Drinkable after boiling, but bottled water (e.g., Erikli, 20 TRY per 5L) is preferred
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Turkcell (Best coverage), Vodafone; approx. 600-800 TRY for 20GB tourist pack
- Banking for Expats
- Ziraat Bankası (State-owned, local branch), Wise and Revolut for international transfers
- Accommodation
- Pensions (Pansiyon) and boutique hotels predominate; limited long-term apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in supermarkets and hotels; cash needed for small tea houses and local markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'Pansiyon' listings (Approx. 1,500 - 2,500 TRY/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Gunter Sehir Otel or local family pensions near Küçük Liman (approx. 800-1,200 TRY/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Büyük Liman or the Historic Citadel (Kale) area for sea views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Apartments near Amasra Museum or Kum Mahallesi for quieter residential vibes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None (Private office rentals via local real estate at approx. 10,000 TRY/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Türkan Hanım’ın Yeri (Quiet mornings, sea breeze) or Lütfiye (Historical atmosphere)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Bartın University (Amasra Vocational School) events
- Social Events for Expats
- Amasra Yelken Kulübü (Sailing Club) social nights; Facebook group 'Amasra Life'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local yellow taxis (Amasra Taksi: +90 378 315 1313); town is walkable
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals near Küçük Liman (approx. 200 TRY/hour)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bozköy Beach (15 mins drive) or Inkumu Beach (30 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Turkish Airlines / AnadoluJet flying into Zonguldak Airport (ONQ)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST/SAW)
- Highway Access
- D010 Coastal Road connects to Bartın and Zonguldak
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Amasra Otogarı (Bus Station); transfer via Bartın for long-distance
- Public Transport Passes
- Dolmuş (Minibuses) to Bartın (25 TRY, cash only)
- Regional Travel
- Kamil Koç or Metro Turizm buses to Istanbul (approx. 6-7 hours, 700 TRY)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Amasra İlçe Devlet Hastanesi (Local clinic); Bartın State Hospital for major issues
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Beachfront morning sessions (Informal, near Amasra Sailing Club)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Amasra Belediyesi Fitness Center or outdoor parks with equipment
- Laundry Services
- Self-service lacks; 'Amasra Kuru Temizleme' near the bus station offers wash/fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Getir and Yemeksepeti (limited availability compared to big cities)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Amasra Salad (includes 20+ ingredients) and Fresh Fried Anchovies (Hamsi)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lütfiye (Mezes and traditional olive oil dishes)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Amasra Sofrası (for Honey-Yogurt dessert with walnuts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Tuesday/Friday Local Market (Köylü Pazarı) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trendyol and Hepsiburada (Deliveries within 2-3 days)
- Grocery Delivery
- A101 and Migros Sanal Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Küçük Liman waterfront (North Door Hotel Bar for upscale drinks)
- Local Brewery
- Efes and Bomonti widely served at 'Sahil Balık' restaurants
- Wine Bars
- None dedicated; high-end fish restaurants like Mustafa Amca’nın Yeri serve local wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Midye Dolma (Stuffed Mussels) near the harbor (10 TRY per piece)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Carlos (Pizza and burgers near the museum)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Kemere Bridge (Roman-era bridge connecting the mainland to Boztepe Island)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Amasra Museum (Archaeological and Ethnography, 100 TRY entry)
- Historical Sites
- Amasra Castle (UNESCO Tentative List) and Fatih Mosque (former Byzantine church)
- Religious Sites
- Fatih Camii and the ruins of the Bedesten
- Annual Events
- Amasra Culture and Sea Festival (July)
- Cultural Districts
- The Citadel area (Kale içi) with narrow Ottoman-style streets
- Theater Venues
- Bartın Cultural Center (30 mins drive)
- Local Markets
- Galla Pazarı (Women's Market) for organic jams and hand-woven 'Tel Kırma' lace
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic Turkish music at harbor cafes during summer evenings
- Street Art
- Fishermen's murals along the Büyük Liman sea wall
- Cooking Classes
- Informal workshops at local pensions for Amasra Salad preparation
- Art Galleries
- Exhibitions often held in the lobby of the Grand Kirazlar Hotel
- Historic Buildings
- The Edhem Ağa Mansion (Coal mine owner's historic house)
- Local Heritage
- Wood-carving (Çekiciler Çarşısı) - traditional craft hub dating back centuries
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Küre Mountains National Park (45 mins drive)
- National Parks Nearby
- Yedi Göller (Seven Lakes) National Park (approx. 2.5 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The loop around Boztepe Island (Stunning cliffs and sunsets)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Boztepe Hill (Top of the island) for the 'Eagle's Eye' view of the town
- Birdwatching Locations
- Güleren Hill forests
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Akkonak Beach (permits usually required in summer)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PTT (Post Office), Yurtiçi Kargo, and Aras Kargo
- Tech Repair Services
- Local shops in Bartın city center (30 mins drive) for specialized repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Amasra Sports Hall
- Language Classes
- Bartın University TÖMER (Turkish Language Center)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Amasra Public Library (Ilçe Halk Kütüphanesi)
- Community Centers
- Amasra Municipality Cultural House
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes in Kum Mahallesi
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Turkey; nearest legal casinos are in Batumi, Georgia
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 45,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 30,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,200,000 TRY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 42,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 TRY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 28,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,680,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 40,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 25,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,000,000 TRY)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard Turkish rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Resident-based, worldwide income after 183 days
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40% (for income over 3,000,000 TRY)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable if foreign entity is >50% controlled
- Property Tax
- 0.1% to 0.2% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% (typically split 2% buyer / 2% seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Turkey recently introduced a 'Digital Nomad Visa' for those earning over $3,000/month elsewhere