Zonguldak Travel Guide

West Black Sea One of the important port cities of the region Zonguldak, stands out as the second largest city in the Black Sea. This city, famous for its rich coal beds, is known as the coal capital and also plays a very active role in maritime trade. Zonguldak, with a population of 213.000, also has coastal tourism with its 18 beaches, but stands out as a city more developed in the fields of mining and maritime.

Zonguldak, which has a rich historical past, is surrounded by ancient settlements and historical structures. With its fascinating caves shaped over centuries, waterfalls that can be visited at any time of the year, and plateaus that are ideal for nature walks and camping, Zonguldak is a city with unique beauties waiting to be discovered. Zonguldak city center and its 8 districts, each of which draw attention with their unique natural riches, symbolic products and local events. These districts are Kilimli, Alaplı, Çaycuma, Devrek, Gökçebey, Karadeniz Ereğli and Kozlu.

When to Go to Zonguldak?

Zonguldak is a city under the influence of the Black Sea climate and is quite open to cold air currents due to its geographical structure. Winter months are generally very cold and rainy in the city, while summers are cool. While Zonguldak receives rain in every season, the summer months when the sea temperature exceeds 20 degrees have the most sunny days. The most suitable periods to explore the city are June, July and August.

How to get to Zonguldak?

Transportation to Zonguldak is quite easy with land, air and railway options. Zonguldak Airport, which is 40 minutes away from the city center, has been serving passengers since 2007 and offers direct or connecting flight options from many cities in Turkey and the world. In addition, Zonguldak Bus Terminal is only 2 kilometers away from the city center and provides transportation with buses from many cities and districts in Turkey. Regular train services are also organized to Zonguldak for transportation by rail. The train station is within walking distance of the city center. Zonguldak, İstanbul328 km to , approximately 220 km to Ankara, 528 km to Samsun and EskişehirIt is 387 km away; these distances can also be easily reached by car.

What to Eat in Zonguldak?

Zonguldak has a rich food culture that bears traces of the Black Sea and Anatolian cuisines. There are many traditional dishes made using wheat and corn flour in the city, and fish consumption is quite common. In addition, the lamb chestnuts grown in the pine forests around Zonguldak are known as one of the most delicious chestnut varieties in the world, and the salted dishes made with these chestnuts are one of the special flavors you should definitely try while visiting the city. Vegetable and grain-based dishes are also indispensable for Zonguldak cuisine. The city's most popular dishes include Ereğli pide, nettle dish, göce soup, bulgur uğmaç soup, zılbıt with kashar, keşkek, stuffed anchovies, and chestnut jam. Among the places to eat in Zonguldak, popular spots such as Ereğli Pidecisi, Panorama Restaurant, Fener Restaurant, Çatı Kebap, and Düş Molası Restaurant stand out.

Activities to Do in Zonguldak

• Swimming at Black Sea Beaches: Zonguldak is famous for its beautiful beaches. Filyos Beach, Kozlu Beach, Uzunkum Beach and Ilıksu Beach with their golden sands are among the popular beaches of the city. Zonguldak's 18 beaches often have wavy and windy seas, so children and novice swimmers should be careful.
• Canoeing and Rafting on the Filyos River: Filyos Stream is a paradise for nature sports enthusiasts. A perfect area for activities such as river canoeing and rafting, this stream offers a unique nature experience, stretching through pine forests and valleys.
• Ancient City Tours: One of the historical places to visit in Zonguldak is the Tios (Filyos) Ancient City, which dates back to the 7th century BC. This place, which is the first and only ancient city excavated on the Black Sea coast, was used as an important religious center during the Byzantine period and turned into a small fishing village during the Ottoman period. It is a very impressive excursion area for history enthusiasts.
• Cave Tours: The Zonguldak area is home to many impressive caves that have been shaped by natural formations over thousands of years. One of the longest caves in Turkey, Gökgöl Cave, welcomes visitors with an 875-meter-long organized walking path. In addition, Cehennem Ağzı Caves, Çayır Village Water Cave, Kızılelma Cave and İnağzı Cave are other interesting caves to visit in the region.
• Nature Walks: Zonguldak is a great place for nature walks with its pine forests, conservation areas and plateaus. Çitdere Nature Reserve and Kızılcapınar Dam Lake are among the most popular walking routes. Also, Dirgine Valley, Yedigöller, Değirmenağzı Waterfall, Güneşli Waterfall, Legaklı, Bölüklü, Beycuma and Bostandüzü plateaus are ideal areas for those who want to spend time in nature in the fresh air.

Zonguldak Night Life

Zonguldak nightlife generally takes place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The city is famous for its quality seafood restaurants, where you can listen to live music and enjoy fresh fish. Places such as Doctors' Lokali and Mining Engineers' Association Lokali, where you can try delicious fish with a sea view, are quite popular. Zonguldak's nightlife is generally enriched with folk music bars where you can listen to local music, nightclubs with DJ performances and cafes with sea views.

What to Buy from Zonguldak?

Those who want to shop in Zonguldak can explore both the historical bazaars and modern shopping malls. Devrek walking sticks and elpek cloth, which are symbols of the city, are among the most popular souvenirs. In Devrek Walking Stick Bazaar, you can find different examples of famous walking sticks and watch the making of these unique handicrafts. Zonguldak-specific chestnut honey and local jams are also delicacies that can be easily found in the markets. Among the important places where you can shop in the city center are Demirpark AVM on Milli Egemenlik Street and WestaLife Shopping and Living Center on Bülent Ecevit Street. There are many different stores in these shopping malls.

Zonguldak Festivals and Events

These festivals offer great opportunities to discover the cultural richness of Zonguldak and experience the traditional tastes of the city.

Things to Consider / Important Information

• Zonguldak is under the influence of the typical Black Sea climate, and there is heavy rainfall, especially in winter and autumn. If you are visiting the city during these periods, it would be useful to bring thick clothing, non-slip boots, a raincoat and an umbrella.
• You can obtain a Diamond Card to use public transportation within the city. You can also enter museums, ancient cities and other touristic areas in Zonguldak. Museumcard you need to take.

Transportation

In Zonguldak, urban transportation is generally provided by municipal buses and minibuses. In the dense areas of the city, especially on points such as Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Boulevard and İstasyon Street, it is possible to come across public transportation stops. These buses provide transportation within the city until 23:30 at night. You can obtain an Elmas Card to benefit from public transportation. There are also taxi stands that operate 24 hours a day in the city center, allowing you to easily reach any point you want. You can use the minibuses that depart from the bus station every hour to go to the districts, villages and touristic spots in the surrounding area of ​​Zonguldak.

Zonguldak is a city worth exploring with its rich historical and natural heritage, unique beaches, enjoyable activities and colorful cultural events. With the information in the Zonguldak Travel Guide, you can get to know the important points of this city more closely and enjoy the unique experiences the city has to offer. Places to visit in Zonguldak If you want to learn more about it, don't forget to check out our guide. Visiting this city is a great opportunity to discover the beauties of the Black Sea and create unforgettable memories!