If it's your first visit to Akçakoca, don't worry about where to start: hour-by-hour itineraries for however many days you have, and themed routes, are ready with stops, distances and one-tap directions.
How many days do you have?
1 Day in Akçakoca
The town centre, the historic quarter, Fakıllı Cave, the Genoese Castle and sunset: Akçakoca's most-visited places in one day.
2 Days in Akçakoca
Day one: the town, the sea and the Genoese Castle; day two: a cave, centuries-old plane trees, a canyon and a waterfall.
3 Days in Akçakoca
The town and castle, the cave and waterfalls, then ancient Prusias ad Hypium and the nail-free wooden mosques.
5 Days in Akçakoca
A different direction every day: the town; the Longoz and Maden Stream to the west; Ereğli to the east; Konuralp and Güzeldere to the south; Aktaş Waterfall on the last day.
Themed routes
Akçakoca in a Day: Centre, Harbour and Genoese Castle
For day-trippers from Istanbul or Ankara: the historic quarter, the harbour, a mosque and the Genoese Castle at sunset.
Nature Route: Cave, Plane Trees, Canyon and Waterfall
Fakıllı Cave, Cumayanı's centuries-old plane trees, Kurugöl Canyon and Aktaş Waterfall in one day.
Nail-Free Mosques Route
Village mosques built with the çantı technique, in which logs are interlocked without nails, and the modern Central Mosque in town.
Akçakoca on a Rainy Day: Mosque, Cave and Museum
Still worth exploring when the weather turns: the Central Mosque, Fakıllı Cave's lit galleries, the Konuralp Museum and the Lenin bust from the sea.
Akçakoca in Winter: Harbour, Anchovies and Stormy Seas
Akçakoca outside the swimming season: fishing boats in the harbour, the historic quarter, the cave, waves seen from the castle and anchovies for dinner.
Westward: Melen, Maden Stream, Küçükboğaz and the Longoz
Where the Melen River meets the sea, Maden Stream Waterfall, Lake Küçükboğaz and Turkey's largest longoz forest.
Eastward: Karadeniz Ereğli's Museums and Cehennemağzı
The Cehennemağzı Caves, the Ereğli Museum, the City Museum, the Gazi Alemdar Museum Ship and, for children, the Toy Museum.
If you have another day
See the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium and the Konuralp Museum, half an hour from Akçakoca; the Cehennemağzı Caves in Karadeniz Ereğli to the east; the Acarlar Longoz in Karasu to the west; or Güzeldere Waterfall, an hour away.
Take it with you: Akçakoca mini guide (PDF)
Places to visit, beaches, local food, a one-day itinerary, important phone numbers and beach flags in an 8-page booklet. Download it to your phone or print it; the QR codes open the latest weather, sea conditions and pharmacy-on-duty pages. If you print with the "booklet" option, the A4 sheets fold in the middle.
Download the mini guide (PDF, 8 pages)
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you spend in Akçakoca?
One day is enough to see the centre, the Genoese Castle and Fakıllı Cave. Two days are recommended to add the waterfalls and the canyon, and three to also see the ancient city at Konuralp and the nail-free wooden mosques.
What can you do in Akçakoca in one day?
In the morning, walk around the Central Mosque, the harbour and Yukarı Mahalle; have mancarlı pide for lunch; go to Fakıllı Cave in the afternoon; and watch the sunset at the Genoese Castle in the early evening.
Do you need a car to visit Akçakoca?
The places in the centre are within walking distance. A municipal bus runs to the Genoese Castle in summer. For the cave, waterfalls, canyon and village mosques you need a car.