78 · City guide
Karabük
Safranbolu's mansions, city of iron and steel
Karabük is a young city that grew up around the iron and steel works, one of the Republic's first heavy-industry investments; the province's tourism center, however, is neighboring Safranbolu. In Safranbolu, some 2000 traditional houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, the Cinci Han, the Köprülü Mehmet Paşa and İzzet Mehmet Paşa mosques and a still-working clock tower are preserved together, and the town has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearby, Yörük Köyü showcases rural architecture, while the İncekaya Aqueduct and Tokatlı Canyon bring together nature and engineering. Mencilis Cave in Bulak, the ancient city of Hadrianopolis in Eskipazar and the vast forests of Yenice are the province's other key stops.
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Places
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Where shall we explore?
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Cave
Bulak Mencilis Cave
Merkez, Karabük
One of Türkiye's longest caves, in the village of Bulak, with its three-level structure, underground stream and dripstones.
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Cinci Hamamı
Safranbolu, Karabük
A historic hamam commissioned by Cinci Hoca within the bazaar, also known in Safranbolu as the 'Yeni Hamam', still in operation.
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Cinci Hanı
Safranbolu, Karabük
A grand han commissioned in the 1640s in the center of the Safranbolu bazaar by Cinci Hoca, Kazasker of Rumelia, used today as a hotel.
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Hadrianopolis Ancient City
Eskipazar, Karabük
A Roman–Byzantine city of Paphlagonia near Eskipazar, with mosaic churches, baths and rock tombs, where excavation is ongoing.
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Hıdırlık Hill
Safranbolu, Karabük
A viewing hill just above the Safranbolu bazaar, with the Tomb of Hasan Paşa, from which the old town is seen from a bird's-eye view.
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İncekaya Aqueduct
Safranbolu, Karabük
A historic aqueduct over the Tokatlı Canyon, 116 meters long and reaching a height of 60 meters.
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İzzet Mehmet Paşa Mosque
Safranbolu, Karabük
A mosque commissioned between 1794 and 1798 by Grand Vizier İzzet Mehmet Paşa from Safranbolu, with the tughra of Selim III on its minbar.
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Karabük Clock Tower
Merkez, Karabük
A clock tower erected in honor of the 50th anniversary of Kardemir's founding and completed in 1987, symbolizing Karabük's iron and steel identity.
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Picnic area
Karagöl Picnic Area (Ovacık)
Ovacık, Karabük
An A-type recreation area laid out around a small lake in the forest in the Ovacık district.
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Kaymakamlar House Museum (Kaymakamlar Gezi Evi)
Safranbolu, Karabük
A museum house showing on site the room layout, furnishings and daily life of a traditional Safranbolu house.
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.Mosque
Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque
Safranbolu, Karabük
A classical Ottoman mosque commissioned in 1661–62 by the Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmet Paşa, with a sundial in its courtyard and opening onto the arasta.
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Safranbolu City History Museum
Safranbolu, Karabük
A museum in the former Government House on the Kale hill, telling the story of Safranbolu's urban history and crafts.
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Safranbolu Clock Tower
Safranbolu, Karabük
One of the oldest clock towers that can be climbed and is still working, commissioned in 1794–1797 by Grand Vizier İzzet Mehmet Paşa.
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Safranbolu Historic Bazaar and Arasta
Safranbolu, Karabük
The heart of UNESCO World Heritage Safranbolu; the Çarşı area lined with the arasta, hans, mosques and traditional mansions.
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Safranbolu Ulu Mosque (Grand Mosque)
Safranbolu, Karabük
The stone Ulu Mosque in the Kıranköy part of Safranbolu, formerly St. Stephen's Church.
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Yayla (highland pasture)
Sarıçiçek Highland (Yayla)
Safranbolu, Karabük
A highland in Safranbolu at an altitude of about 1700 meters, known for its forest cover and a camping area by the pond.
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Şeker Canyon
Yenice, Karabük
A canyon in Yenice that attracts experienced outdoor athletes with its 6.5 km length and difficult crossings.
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Sırçalı Canyon
Safranbolu, Karabük
A long, deep canyon near the village of Düzce in Safranbolu, protected as a wildlife development area.
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Tokatlı Canyon
Safranbolu, Karabük
A canyon just north of Safranbolu cutting deeply through limestone layers, with the İncekaya Aqueduct above it.
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Yörük Village (Yörük Köyü)
Safranbolu, Karabük
A preserved village fabric 6 km from Safranbolu, with traditional timber-frame houses, a laundry house and fountains.
Practical information
Machine translated — This content was machine-translated and may differ from the original Turkish text.- Note
- Safranbolu's mansion hotels fill up early on weekends; comfortable shoes are recommended for the cobblestone streets
- Climate
- Transitional between Black Sea and continental climates
- Best time
- April–June and September–October; October is saffron harvest season
- Getting there
- About 3 hours by road to Ankara; a railway line passes through Karabük; the nearest airports are Zonguldak (Çaycuma) and Kastamonu
- Getting around
- The Safranbolu bazaar area is walkable; frequent minibuses run between Karabük and Safranbolu