Time stands still in the City of Saffron. Every corner and cobble-stoned street whisper stories of a bygone era. This is the magical little town of Safranbolu in Türkiye. If you’re planning a trip to the City of Saffron, then this post on things to do in Safranbolu is all you need.
Safranbolu, tucked away in the rolling hills of Türkiye’s Karabük Province, is as beautiful as they come. This charming town offers a remarkable journey back in time to the Ottoman Empire.
We recently spent 4 days in Safranbolu on our road trip between Istanbul and Ankara, and we fell hard for its magical charm.
For us, Safranbolu is such a great destination because it strikes the perfect balance between places to visit, things to do, and just slowing down.
Beautiful and well-preserved Ottoman architecture is just the beginning. Throw in spectacular nature in the countryside, sweet Turkish delight and great food, and you’ll see this place is a little firecracker.
Our travel guide shows you the best places to visit and things to do in Safranbolu, the beautiful nature in the surrounding countryside, and, of course, we’ll give you the scoop on where and what to eat.
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Quick Guide to Safranbolu
When did we go? Second week in April. The spring blossoms and weather were beautiful.
Where did we stay in Safranbolu? Gunes Konak
How long to spend in Safranbolu? We stayed in Safranbolu for four nights. You could easily see all the Safranbolu attractions in a full day and another day for side trips into the countryside.
But I’m sure you’ll want to stay longer. It’s that kind of place
Getting to Safranbolu: We rented a car in Istanbul and stopped in Saffranbolu before continuing to Amasra on the Black Sea.
Driving from Istanbul took roughly 4.5 hours, including a few stops. Having your own wheels is just grand – we recommend Discover Cars for the best rates in Turkey.
Buses also run from Istanbul Central Bus Station to Safranbolu, taking about 8 hours. A bus from Ankara to Safranbolu takes about 4 hours. See schedules and book online here.
Special experience: Go for a wash and scrub in the 17th-century Cinci Hamam.
Where to Stay in Safranbolu
We spent our four nights at Gunes Konak, and we loved it. With its friendly, English-speaking host, this Ottoman house was perfect for our stay in Safranbolu.
You can look forward to a fantastic breakfast spread, beautiful views from your room and a comfortable sleep.
Free parking is available right at the front door. It’s best to leave your car here and explore Safranbolu Old Town on foot.
Places to See & Things to Do in Safranbolu
You can easily walk around Safranbolu Old Town in a day and see the main attractions. Much of Safranbolu’s charm lies in simply wandering around the pretty town and stumbling upon places you weren’t planning to see. It’s that kind of place.
We hope you have your own wheels because there are a few wonderful places to visit in the countryside surrounding Safranbolu. The quiet roads outside town are a journey into the rural Black Sea region at its best.
See All of Safranbolu Old Town from Hidirlik Tepesi
The Safranbolu Eski Çarsı (Old Town) sits in a ravine with hills hugging the beautiful town on both sides. For a panoramic view of the Eski Çarsı, go to Hidirlik Tepesi.
Hidirlik Tepesi is a park and lookout point situated on the ravine’s crest, offering a scenic vantage point over Safranbolu’s Old Town. From this elevated position, you can admire the landscape and take in the architectural wonders preserved within the Old Town.
Within the Safranbolu Eski Çarsı, you’ll find 25 mosques, five hammams (Turkish bathhouses), three caravanserais, and hundreds of Ottoman houses and mansions. The entire Safranbolu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Hidirlik Tepesi, you’ll get to see Safranbolu in its entirety, giving you an understanding of the city’s layout.
Entrance fee: TRY 5
Get Good & Clean & Fresh at the Cinci Hamam
We recommend anyone visiting Safranbolu to go and experience the Cinci hamam, a historic Turkish bath from the Ottoman era.
Dating from the 17th century, the hamam features traditional marble interiors with a sauna and hot and cold rooms. And, of course, skilful hands that will wash, scrub and massage you until you look like a new sixpence.
A hamam visit is not only incredibly relaxing but also the best way to immerse yourself in Turkish culture.
Unlike the other hamams I’ve been to (in Mardin and Gaziantep), where there is one bathing area with separate hours for men and women, the Cinci Hamam has two bathing areas, one for each gender.
Men can come for a wash from 6 AM to 11 PM, while women have their time from 9 AM to 10 PM.
I paid TRY 240 for the full hamam package, including a kese scrub, foam massage and a cold drink after.
Take a Hike to the Kent Tarihi Müzesi
The Kent Tarihi Müzesi, or City History Museum, is the yellow mansion standing (and standing out) on a hill above Safranbolu. It stands out not only because it’s the highest point in town, but also because the architectural style differs from the Safranbolu houses below it in the Old Town.
The three-storey building was only built in 1904, much later than the rest of Safranbolu. It was a government building first and became the City History Museum in 2006.
Unfortunately, the museum was closed on the two days we tried to visit, so we can’t tell you what’s on display. But we suspect we didn’t miss that much.
However, the highlight of the Kent Museum is the breathtaking views it offers. While you can easily skip the museum, the panoramic vistas of Safranbolu and its surroundings are truly exceptional. Come here for the stunning views rather than the museum itself, and you’ll be a happy camper.
From the Kent Museum, you’ll get a sweeping view over the Old Town and the neighbourhoods on the other side of the hill. Looking down in the other direction, it seems much more like a rural village than Safranbolu.
It’s beautiful.
Entrance to the grounds is free, but we’re not sure about the entrance fee to the museum, as it was closed.
See the Anatolia Miniature Clock Towers
An open-air museum on the same grounds as the Kent Museum displays 15 replicas of Anatolian clock towers. These miniature clock towers were built in 1901 and once all kept time, but we suspect they stopped ticking years ago.
The miniature clock towers in Safranbolu commemorate the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who was a clock tower fanatic. The collection is known as the Anatolia Miniature Clock Towers Museum.
There is also an actual clock tower dating from 1797, still in working condition, behind the Kent Museum.
Entrance Fee: Free
Have a Çay at the Cinci Han Caravanserai
Safranbolu is a Silk Road city, and any Silk Road city worth its salt needs a caravanserai.
The Cinci Han Caravanserai in Safranbolu is a testament to the town’s historical importance as a trade hub along ancient caravan routes.
Caravanserais were built to be impenetrable, providing a safe place to rest for travellers and their precious cargo. Entering the thick walls into the courtyard of the Cinci Han was exciting for us; we almost felt like silk road travellers. We are nerds like that 😂.
Don’t miss having a tea or coffee in the courtyard. We were sceptical after viewing the fancy-looking menu, thinking it might push our daily budget into the red. (Prices are not on the menu, like most other places in Turkey).
But relax, we asked the prices before ordering, and they are a steal. The decadent tea and coffee sets served on a golden tray go for about TRY 30 and are highly recommended. Having a saffron-infused tea with Turkish delight in a caravansarai over 300 years old is one of the best and cheapest things to do in Safranbolu.
We liked the coffee, tea and atmosphere so much that we came here twice.
For a real Silk Road experience, sleeping over in the Cinci Han is also possible. The rooms on the upper level remain guestrooms, just like in the days as an inn on the Silk Road.
Entrance fee: Free
Browse the Arastas
Safranbolu has been an important trade hub throughout its history. Arastas (bazaars) were an essential part of life in Safranbolu and important centres for cultural and commercial exchange.
Many of the lanes in Safranbolu Old Town today are filled with souvenir shops selling cute wooden models of Safranbolu houses, embroidery, saffron-flavoured Turkish delight and the like. There are also two arastas dating back to the city’s heyday as a trading hub on the Silk Road.
Yemeniciler Arasta: The old guild bazaar where Yemeni shoes are made consists of 48 wooden shops adjacent to Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque. These handmade, heelless leather shoes are usually found in places like Gaziantep in Southeastern Anatolia.
The restored bazaar, with its wooden shops, is gorgeous and well worth visiting. A few yemeni shops remain, but it’s mostly souvenir shops today. The only carpet shop that we saw in Safranbolu is in this arasta, too.
Giykasuk, a cute little cafe in the Yemeniciler Arasta, makes superb Turkish coffee prepared between hot coals. It is served on a silver tray with a glass of water, pomegranate juice, and a homemade peppermint concoction stuck to a spoon in a glass of water.
Demirciler Arasta : The Blacksmith’s Bazaar, on both sides of the Akçasu Stream, which passes under the İzzet Mehmet Paşa Mosque, is the only living guild bazaar in Safranbolu. Both hot and cold blacksmithing handicrafts are still produced here today.
In the past, each handcraft had its own dedicated arasta in Safranbolu. Over time, many crafts transitioned into souvenirs, but the blacksmiths have continued their traditional work, preserving the authenticity of their trade.
Visiting the Blacksmith’s Bazaar offers an opportunity to witness the age-old craft in action and shop for unique handmade souvenirs that showcase the blacksmithing artistry of Safranbolu.
Admire the İzzet Mehmet Paşa Mosque
Safanbolu’s most beautiful mosque bears the name of Izzet Mehmet Pasha, the famous grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire.
Before Izzet Mehmet Pasha became the grand vizier, he was a resident in Safranbolu for a while. He had a mosque built under his name, which was opened for worship in 1661.
Today, the Izzet Mehmet Pasha mosque, constructed entirely of cut limestone, is Safranbolu’s most splendid. It is characterized by its helmet-shaped dome, which adds a unique touch to its silhouette.
Inside, you can see the marble minbar made in the Baroque style and the dome decorated with intricate calligraphy patterns. The cool blue and green hues, the stained-glass windows and the plush red carpet make it a beautiful mosque you must see.
See the Optical Illusions Inside the Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque
Another mosque worth seeing while exploring the Safranbolu Old Town is the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque.
Almost bearing the same name as the Izzet Mehmet Pasha mosque, just down the road, an easy way to distinguish between them is by looking at their roofs.
The Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque is taller and has a red tile roof, while the Izzet Mehmet Pasha Mosque has a grey, metal roof shaped like a helmet.
Stepping inside the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque, your attention will be drawn to the elegant minbar (pulpit) and the grand dome adorned with delicate hand-painted calligraphy patterns. These intricate designs, created in subtle tones of greys, whites, browns and reds, create mesmerizing optical illusions that add to the mosque’s overall splendour.
Spot the Zafranbolu Airplane
One of the sights in Safranbolu that doesn’t involve Ottoman-era architecture is the Zafranbolu airplane.
During the First World War and the War of Independence, the people of Safranbolu generously donated to campaigns initiated to meet the army’s need for warplanes.
The Breguet 19 A-2 model aircraft, acquired through donations from the people of Safranbolu, was delivered to the Turkish Air Force in 1931. The plane was officially named Zafranbolu, and served in the Turkish Airforce for five years before returning to Safranbolu.
The Zafranbolu plane adds another layer of historical significance to the town, attracting local tourists and aviation enthusiasts eager to learn about the area’s heritage.
You’ll find the Zafranbolu airplane across the street from the Martyrs Monument, somewhat between the Hidirlik Tepesi and the cemetery. It almost looks as if the plane is taking off over Safranbolu.
Remember at the Martyrs Monument & Cemetery
The Martyrs Monument, a statue of a soldier, stands at the entrance to the city’s cemetery as you enter Safranbolu.
A plaque behind the soldier tells of the 4 000 troops in the 42nd Voluntary Regiment who left Safranbolu in August 1914 to the Front of the Dardanelles. Of them, 787 never returned home.
This monument not only honours the sons of Safranbolu who left for the Dardanelles but also serves as a remembrance of Turkish sons who sacrificed in other conflicts, such as the Korean War and the Cyprus Peace Operation.
Call me weird (I don’t care), but I find cemeteries fascinating. I think it’s a good place to take your mind for a walk while contemplating life. After taking a look at the Martyrs Monument, take a stroll through the cemetery, too.
The well-kept Safranbolu cemetery was beautiful in spring, with tulips popping up between the gravestones.
Stock Up On Saffron-Flavoured Lokum
In Safranbolu, saffron makes its way into almost anything, from tea and coffee to soap and rice. Turkish delight (lokum) is no exception, and Safranbolu is renowned for its saffron-flavoured lokum.
For the best lokum in Safranbolu, make a beeline for Kemer Lokum Sekerleme.
This friendly, family business gave us a warm welcome, and the owner started handing out free samples to try as soon as we set foot inside the door.
All the lokum we tried here was excellent, so we got half a kilo of assorted flavours since we couldn’t make up our minds.
We saw the pretty-looking lokum rolls in the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul but have never tried them. I always thought it was something that only looked pretty but would be a disappointing bite.
But how wrong could I have been!
The coffee set we had at the Cinci Han came with a portion of lokum roll, and we were converted.
We then went in search of that exact same lokum roll we had at the Cinci Han.
Our favourite lokum rolls are the green and red ones, filled with green pistachios and red goji berries. The sweet-tart combination is perfect. The tahini-chocolate rolls are pretty damn fine, too.
Stroll Around the Tankhane Museum
The area around the Tankhane Müzesi (Leather Museum) is gorgeous, with lots of trees, wildflowers and beautiful Safranbolu houses along the Akçasu Stream.
If you’re looking for a break from all the historic places of the Old Town, come for a stroll in this area. There are also a few very atmospheric guesthouses and tea gardens where you can relax with over a few glasses of çay.
The Tankhane Müzesi is worth a stop to learn about the history and significance of Safranbolu’s tannery workshops.
Due to its strategic location, Safranbolu was one of the leading leather suppliers in Turkey, providing leather goods to the armies from the Seljuk to the Ottoman times. At its peak (around the 1800s), 84 tanneries operated in Safranbolu.
The cafe on the large balcony of the historic tannery has a lovely view over the arched Ottoman bridge crossing the Akçasu Stream.
Places to Visit Near Safranbolu
The quiet roads around Safranbolu are ripe for exploration, and you should definitely hit them if you have your own wheels.
Besides the canyons and beautiful scenery, the villages and farming hamlets in this part of the Black Sea region are just wonderful.
Kristal Teras
One of the top attractions near Safranbolu is the clifftop cafe known as the Kristal Teras. Situated above the Tokatlı Canyon, it has terrific views of the surrounding landscape from its glass viewing platform. Suspended 80 meters above the canyon, it’s a favourite spot for visitors seeking panoramic vistas.
From the Crystal Terrace, you can easily explore the nearby attractions of the İncekaya Aqueduct and Tokatlı Canyon. The aqueduct and the pathway leading down the canyon are just a few hundred metres away from the Crystal Terrace, but it’s more convenient to drive.
There is also a zip line crossing the canyon and an upside-down house for the kids and the Instagrammers (both closed during our visit) that might be interesting.
Entrance fee: TRY 20
Incekaya Aqueduct
The Incekaya Aqueduct is impressive. It features six arches and stands 60 meters above the canyon. Stretching over 116 meters, it was constructed in the 18th century to supply water to Safranbolu.
In addition to serving the town’s water needs, the aqueduct was crucial in providing water to the more than 80 thirsty tanneries in Safranbolu for their operations.
After snapping a selfie with the aqueduct, descend into the canyon for some nature.
Entrance fee: Free
Tokatlı Canyon
A wooden walkway leads down into the Tokatlı Canyon, which takes about 20 minutes or so to reach the bottom.
The walkway follows a stream gushing down the mountain – it’s quite spectacular. Reaching the bottom of the valley, shady trees and crystal-clear ponds await.
There is also a little cafe surrounded by greenery and water to relax before starting the trek up again.
Entrance fee: TRY 20
Sırçalı Canyon & Stone Terrace
Located near the villages of Sırçalı and Düzce, the Sırçalı Canyon is another breathtaking natural wonder near Safranbolu. The 15km drive from Safranbolu to the canyon offers stunning views, making it a worthwhile journey in itself.
We came to Sırçalı Canyon to see (and walk on) the Stone Terrace, a striking rock formation that extends over the canyon.
Google Maps brought us to the canyon alright, but finding the Stone Terrace (Taş Teras) was another story. There were no signs or facilities when we got there.
(This location gets you to the canyon, and then take a left and walk along the cliff’s edge to the Stone Terrace).
After strolling around the canyon rim and oohing and aahing over the views, we spotted the Stone Terrace. Sadly it was fenced off – no doubt for safety reasons.
Even without the Stone Terrace, the canyon is a fantastic sight to see the natural beauty of this part of Turkey.
Entrance fee: Free
Where & What to Eat in Safranbolu
One of Jin’s many talents is her ability to find the best food and restaurants in any city. For her, any trip is all about the food. She hunted down these restaurants in Safranbolu, and they all come highly recommended.
Peruhi (almost like ravioli) and gözleme (stuffed turnover/flatbread) are two dishes unique to Safranbolu that you should try while you’re here.
Taşev
Set in a 200-year-old house with its large arched window and garden, a meal at Taşev is a beautiful experience.
We came here for an early dinner and sat outside in the garden. After having a glass or two of their wine, Jin had the Special Steak, and I had the Sarma. We shared an Orange Karamel for dessert.
The beautiful food, garden and wine make Taşev our top choice for a special meal in Safranbolu.
Tuzcu Han
This large and bright restaurant has great views across the Akçasu Stream and the pretty houses on the other side.
Jin ordered chicken kebab, and I had the cheese peruhi. That chicken was perfection, and the peruhi hit the spot.
Peron
You’ll need to drive to Safranbolu New Town, a few kilometres from Eski Çarsı, to get to Peron, but it is SO WORTH IT.
This train-themed restaurant / steakhouse has fantastic food, service and ambience.
We ordered the steak set and the sausage and cheese, which are prepared in the kitchen (it’s the red train car you can see as you come in). When the food is ready, it is loaded onto a train-trolley contraption, and the owner wheels it out to your table with bells ringing, just like a train arriving at a platform.
The owner will then go ahead and do his thing, almost like a Turkish Salt Bae. With salt and pepper shakers spinning through the air, he’ll season your dishes and serve them with a proud look on his face.
We were excited to eat, and it did not disappoint. After dinner, we got tea, tangerines, and strawberries on the house.
Çorbacı Safran Lezzet Sofrasi
If the weather is cool or rainy, or you need something plain and simple yet filling, it’s time for çorba (soup).
For a selection of hearty Turkish soups, Çorbacı Safran Lezzet Sofrasi is the place to be. The friendly owner welcomed us and asked where we were from before making his recommendations.
I had a filling kofte soup, and Jin went with the classic lentil soup.
Kahvehan Safranbolu
Aunt Şerife, the woman behind Kahvehan Safranbolu, is a town legend and makes a mean gözleme. Visit her little cafe in the Old Town centre for her yummy turnovers and characterful persona.
You can watch her roll out the dough for the gözleme and fill them before frying them.
There you have it – EVERYTHING you need to know about visiting Safranbolu. Enjoy your trip
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Wow, this place looks fantastic. I’ve been wondering what are some great places in Turkey outside of Istanbul.
Hi Hamish,
Yes, Safranbolu is absolutely beautiful. We think the entire Black Sea region between Istanbul and Ankara is well worth visiting with pretty small towns, villages beaches and nature.