Akçakoca sits right in the middle of the western Black Sea: Sakarya's longoz forest to the west, Ereğli's museums and caves to the east and Düzce's waterfalls to the south are all less than an hour away. On this itinerary you stay five nights in the same place; each morning you head off in a different direction and in the evening return to Akçakoca with a view of the sea. No repacking.
- Day 1 Akçakoca: the town, the cave and the Genoese Castle
- Day 2 West: Melen, Maden Stream and Acarlar Longoz
- Day 3 East: Karadeniz Ereğli and Cehennemağzı
- Day 4 South: ancient Konuralp, Lake Efteni and Güzeldere
- Day 5 Hiking day: Aktaş Waterfall and Kurugöl Canyon
Day 1: Akçakoca: the town, the cave 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. While in the centre, look into the story of the wooden Lenin bust pulled from the sea.
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 and the market
Walk through the historic quarter lined with bay-windowed houses and see the school where Rıfat Ilgaz taught. If it's a Saturday or Sunday, taste melengüççeği with geographical indication made by local women at the neighbourhood market; try to make day 1 fall on a weekend.
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
Akçakoca Melengüççeği
A Manav pastry with geographical indication, made with "dartı" from water-buffalo cream.
- Midday12.30
Mancarlı pide
Lunch of mancarlı pide with geographical indication.
- Afternoon14.00
Fakıllı Cave
Explore the lit galleries of the cave, 11 minutes from the centre; it's cool inside.
- Early evening16.30
The Genoese Castle and beach
Explore the castle, swim at the Blue Flag beach below it in summer, and watch the sunset from the castle.
- EveningAfter sunset
Dinner: fish of the season
In the evening try fish of the season; there are fish restaurants in the centre and along the coast.
Day 2: West: Melen, Maden Stream and Acarlar Longoz
Open day 2's route in Google Maps
- Morning08.30
Melenağzı
Head west towards Karasu. After 20 minutes, make your first stop where the Melen River flows into the Black Sea.
- Late morning10.00
Maden Stream Waterfall
Turn inland and walk for about an hour up the rocky streambed to the waterfall in the forest. Expect to get wet; wear waterproof shoes.
- Midday13.30
Break
Bring a picnic or take a break when you get back down to the coast.
- Afternoon14.30
Lake Küçükboğaz
A short stop by the reed-fringed lake near the coast.
- Early evening15.30
Acarlar Longoz
Walk the wooden boardwalk in Turkey's largest longoz forest; see water lilies in summer and birds in every season.
- Evening18.00
Back to Akçakoca
Return to Akçakoca in about an hour; after a tiring day, spend the evening by the sea.
Day 3: East: Karadeniz Ereğli and Cehennemağzı
Open day 3's route in Google Maps
- Morning09.30
The road to Ereğli
East along the coast road via Alaplı, about 40–45 minutes.
- Late morning10.15
The City Museum and the Ereğli Museum
Start at the City Museum in the Cıbıroğlu Mansion, then see the finds of ancient Herakleia in the Halil Paşa Mansion a few hundred metres away.
Ereğli City Museum (Cıbıroğlu Mansion)
The city museum opened by Karadeniz Ereğli Municipality in 2014: the town's history in the traditional 19th-century Cıbıroğlu Mansion.
From the centre: 43 km · about 40 min
Karadeniz Ereğli Museum (Halil Paşa Mansion)
The region's archaeological and ethnographic finds, from ancient Herakleia to the Ottomans, in a stone mansion built in the late 19th century.
From the centre: 42 km · about 40 min - Midday12.00
The seafront and Gazi Alemdar
Visit the Gazi Alemdar Museum Ship on the seafront, then have lunch by the sea. If you have children, the Toy Museum is also in the centre.
Gazi Alemdar Museum Ship (Karadeniz Ereğli)
A full-size replica of the ship of the Alemdar Incident in the Turkish War of Independence: a museum ship opened on the Ereğli seafront in 2008.
From the centre: about 42 km · 40 min
Ereğli Toy Museum
A toy house and toy library opened by Karadeniz Ereğli Municipality in 2021, with an exhibition and a workshop area for children.
From the centre: 42 km · about 40 min - Afternoon14.30
Cehennemağzı Caves
Ancient quarries, used as an early church, where Heracles descended to the underworld in myth.
- EveningSunset
Sunset in Akçakoca
Return to Akçakoca and watch the sunset from the lighthouse at the harbour.
Day 4: South: ancient Konuralp, Lake Efteni and Güzeldere
Open day 4's route in Google Maps
- Morning09.00
Prusias ad Hypium and the Konuralp Museum
The city Akçakoca belonged to in antiquity: a theatre, aqueducts and a museum. About 25 minutes' drive.
- Midday12.00
Lake Efteni
Watch the birds at the reed-fringed lake on the Düzce plain.
- Afternoon13.30
Güzeldere Waterfall
Have a picnic next to the big waterfall in the forest.
- Evening17.00
Back to Akçakoca
Return to Akçakoca in about 1 hour 15 minutes; spend the evening by the sea.
Day 5: Hiking day: Aktaş Waterfall and Kurugöl Canyon
Open day 5's route in Google Maps
- Morning08.30
Aktaş Waterfall trail
On the official 10 km trail starting at the Göktepe village turn-off, follow the stream past Cumayanı's plane trees to Aktaş Waterfall. In places you walk through the water.
Cumayanı Picnic Area
A picnic area by a stream in the shade of centuries-old monumental plane trees, with a historic mosque and tomb.
From the centre: about 3 km
Aktaş Waterfall
A waterfall dropping about 50 m in the forest, and a 10 km hiking trail along the stream.
From the centre: about 14 km · 22 min - Midday13.00
A break at Cumayanı
Rest by the stream in the shade of centuries-old plane trees.
- Afternoon14.30
Kurugöl Canyon
A short walk along the stream in the nature park's canyon.
- EveningSunset
Farewell evening
End your last evening with sunset at the Genoese Castle.
By season
Before you go
- Staying five nights in the same place means no packing and unpacking; head off in a different direction each morning and come back to Akçakoca in the evening.
- The order of the days is flexible; swap them around depending on the weather.
- Opening hours of museums and caves can change; call before you go.
- Bring waterproof shoes and a change of clothes for days 2 and 5.
- On the day you go, check the weather and, in summer, the sea conditions.
Other itineraries
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth staying 5 days in Akçakoca?
Yes. If you base yourself in Akçakoca and go in a different direction each day, five days are full: the town and the Genoese Castle; Acarlar Longoz and Maden Stream to the west; Karadeniz Ereğli to the east; Konuralp and Güzeldere to the south; and a hike to Aktaş Waterfall on the last day.
Where can you go on a day trip from Akçakoca?
Ancient Prusias ad Hypium in Konuralp (about 25 min), Karadeniz Ereğli and the Cehennemağzı Caves (40–45 min), Acarlar Longoz (about 1 hour) and Güzeldere Waterfall (about 1 hour 15 min).
Is Akçakoca suitable for a week's holiday?
Yes. Adding two beach days to the five-day itinerary in summer fills a week; all the beaches are less than half an hour from the centre.