Three days are enough to see Akçakoca without rushing. You explore the town and nature on the first two days; the third day is for Prusias ad Hypium, the city Akçakoca belonged to in antiquity, and the nail-free wooden mosques in the villages.
- Day 1 The town, the sea and the Genoese Castle
- Day 2 A cave, plane trees, a canyon and a waterfall
- Day 3 Ancient Konuralp and nail-free wooden mosques
Day 1: The town, the sea and the Genoese Castle
Open day 1's route in Google Maps
- Morning09.30
The centre, the monument and the harbour
Start with the Central Mosque, the Akçakoca Bey Monument and the harbour; all within walking distance.
Akçakoca Central Mosque
A mosque unlike any other in Turkey, with an octagonal roof inspired by a Seljuk imperial tent.
In the town centre
Akçakoca Bey Monument
Who was Akçakoca Bey? A comrade-in-arms of Osman Gazi, a frontier lord who gave his name to the district and to Kocaeli. On the seafront monument he stands with Konuralp Bey.
Akçakoca Harbour and Lighthouse
Akçakoca's sunset spot, with fishing boats, a marina and a lighthouse on the breakwater.
In the town centre - Late morning11.00
Yukarı Mahalle
Walk through the historic quarter lined with bay-windowed houses; see the school where Rıfat Ilgaz taught.
Historic houses of Yukarı Mahalle
A protected historic quarter in Akçakoca's oldest neighbourhood, lined with 150–200-year-old houses with bay windows.
From the centre: about 1.5 km
Historic Orhangazi Primary School
One of the first school buildings of the Turkish Republic, opened in 1929, where the writer Rıfat Ilgaz taught.
From the centre: about 1 km - Midday12.30
Mancarlı pide
Lunch of mancarlı pide with geographical indication.
- Afternoon14.00
The Genoese Castle and beach
Explore the castle; in summer, swim at the Blue Flag beach below it.
- EveningSunset
Sunset and fish
Watch the sunset from the castle; try fish of the season for dinner.
Day 2: A cave, plane trees, a canyon and a waterfall
Open day 2's route in Google Maps
- Morning09.00
Fakıllı Cave
11 minutes from the centre; visit the 350 m lit section.
- Late morning10.30
Cumayanı Picnic Area
A break in the shade of centuries-old monumental plane trees.
- Midday12.00
Kurugöl Canyon
A walk in the forest, in a canyon with a waterfall.
- Afternoon14.30
Aktaş or Sarıyayla Waterfall
Aktaş Waterfall drops about 50 m in the forest. If you want somewhere quieter, choose the waterfall in Sarıyayla village.
- EveningSunset
Sunset at Ayazlı
Watch the sunset on the Ayazlı shore east of the centre.
Day 3: Ancient Konuralp and nail-free wooden mosques
Open day 3's route in Google Maps
- Morning09.30
Prusias ad Hypium and the Konuralp Museum
About 25 minutes from Akçakoca. In antiquity Akçakoca was called Diapolis and was this city's port. Visit the theatre, the aqueducts and the museum displaying the region's finds. Check the museum's opening days before you go.
- Midday12.30
Back to Akçakoca
Return to Akçakoca for lunch. This time try fish or a local home-style dish.
- Afternoon14.00
Çayağzı Orhangazi Mosque and Çayağzı Beach
11 km east of the centre, a nail-free wooden village mosque without a minaret, said to date from 1323. Just below, at Çayağzı Beach, the stream meets the sea; take a swim break in summer.
- Early evening17.00
Gifts: hazelnuts and chestnuts
Before heading home, buy some Akçakoca yellow hazelnuts with geographical indication, or, in autumn, Kaplan Dede chestnuts.
By season
Before you go
- On a three-day trip, staying in the centre makes getting around easier; you head off in a different direction each morning.
- Visit mosques outside prayer times; village mosques are in use for worship.
- Check the current weather and sea conditions before you go; on a rainy day, swap days 2 and 3.
- On the day you go, check the weather and, in summer, the sea conditions.
Other itineraries
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Akçakoca in 3 days?
Day one: the town and the Genoese Castle; day two: Fakıllı Cave, Cumayanı, Kurugöl Canyon and Aktaş Waterfall; day three: ancient Prusias ad Hypium (Konuralp) and the nail-free wooden mosques.
What is there to see around Akçakoca?
The ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium and the Konuralp Museum in Konuralp (about 25 min), Güzeldere Waterfall, Lake Efteni and Samandere Waterfall (about 1 hour) are day trips you can take from Akçakoca.
What can you do in Akçakoca on a rainy day?
Fakıllı Cave, the Konuralp Museum, the Central Mosque and the historic houses of Yukarı Mahalle are good on rainy days. After rain the canyon and forest paths get muddy.