Safranbolu

Safranbolu lies in the western Black Sea region, about 9 km north of Karabük. From the 13th century until the railway arrived in the early 20th century, it was a caravan stop on the main east–west trade route. The town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

The old market quarter, Çarşı, sits in a valley between two streams. The Cinci Han here, a caravanserai built by Cinci Hoca in 1640–1648, is now a hotel. Nearby are the Köprülü Mehmet Pasha Mosque of 1661 and the Yemeniciler Arasta, a row of 48 wooden shops. Many half-timbered houses are now guesthouses; the Kaymakamlar House is a museum.

Buses run from Ankara (about 220 km) and Istanbul (about 410 km). Plan a full day, or stay overnight in a restored house. Streets are narrow, stone-paved and steep in places, so wear grippy shoes. For a view over the old town, walk up Hıdırlık Hill shortly after sunrise.